Energy loss evaluation of a radial inflow turbine for organic Rankine cycle application using hierarchical entropy production method

To evaluate the location and main sources of energy loss in radial inflow turbines for organic Rankine cycle application, this study proposed a hierarchical entropy production method, which is superior to the traditional pressure drop method. The method includes three levels: local entropy production, split of turbine total entropy production, and split of component entropy production. The energy loss of the radial inflow turbine under design condition and different pressure ratios is presented. The results indicate that the high-entropy production zone is primarily located at the stator trailing edge and the rotor tip clearance. The proportion of turbulent entropy production and wall entropy production in the total energy loss of the turbine is about 77% and 20%, respectively. Among the components of the radial inflow turbine, the energy loss of the rotor and diffuser is the highest, accounting for 71.9% and 13.6% of the total entropy production of the turbine, respectively. However, the stator and rotor have higher volume average entropy generation rate and area average entropy generation rate. The high-entropy production region is mainly located in the stator outlet zone and the rotor tip zone. When the pressure ratio increases from 3 to 5, the turbine efficiency decreases by 13.44%. The pressure ratio has a significant effect on the turbulent entropy production of the rotor. This method can provide insight into the energy loss characteristics of radial inflow turbines for organic Rankine cycle applications.