Centrifugal Pumps: Elementary Theory

The actual flow patterns in a turbopump are highly three

dimensional with significant viscous effects and separation patterns
t ki place.
taking
l
T construct
To
t t a simplified
i lifi d theory
th
f the
for
th radial-flow
di l fl
pump, it is necessary to neglect viscosity and to assume idealized
two-dimensional flow throughout the impeller region.
Consider a control volume that
encompasses
the
impeller
region. Flow enters through the
inlet control surface and exits
through
g the outlet surface. Note
that a series of vanes exists
within the control volume, and
that theyy are rotatingg about the
axis with an angular speed .
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Pump theory
A portion of the control
volume is shown at an
i
instant
i time.
in
i
The
idealized
velocity
vectors are diagrammed at
the inlet, location 1, and the
outlet, location 2.

V2

V1

In the velocity diagrams, V

is the absolute fluid velocity,
Vt
is
the
tangential
component of V, and Vn is
the radial, or normal,
component of V.
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Pump theory
The
peripheral
or
circumferential speed of the
bl d is
blade
i u =r, where
h r is
i the
h
radius of the control surface.
The angle between V and u
is . The fluid velocity
measured relative to the
vane is v.

V2

V1

The relative velocity is

assumed to be always
tangent to the vane; that is,
pperfect gguidance of the fluid
throughout
the
control
volume takes place.
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Pump theory
The angle between u and v
is designated as .

V2

Since perfect guidance

along the vane is assumed,
designates the blade angle as
well.
Equating the torque T acting
on the fluid to the flux of
angular momentum (= mass
x tangential velocity x
radius) through the control
volume we g
get for steadyy
flow

V1

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Pump theory
The power delivered to the
fluid is

V2

From the velocity vector

diagrams Vt = Vcos ,
diagrams,
so
the above Eq. can be written
as
V1
[1]

For the idealized situation in

which there are no losses,
the delivered power must be
equal
q to Q
QHt, in which Ht is
the theoretical pressure head
rise across the pump.
18

Pump theory
Then from Eq. [1], we get Euler's
turbomachine relation,

[2]
Insight on the nature of flow through
an impeller region can be obtained
using
i this
hi Eq.
E From
F
the
h law
l off cosines
i
we can write

V2

V1

These can be substituted into the Eulers relation to provide,

19

Pump theory
[3]
The first
Th
fi term on the
h right-hand
i h h d side
id represents the
h gain
i in
i kinetic
ki i
energy as the fluid passes through the impeller; the second term
accounts for the increase in pressure across the impeller. This can
be seen by applying the energy equation across the impeller and
solving for Ht:
[4]
Eliminating Ht, between Eqs. [3] and [4] and neglecting z2 z1, as
it is often much smaller than (p2 - p1)/, we get the pressure
difference

This is equivalent to the second term in Eq. [3].

20

Pump theory

[2]
Now returning to Eulers Equation, it can be seen that a "best
design" for a pump would be one in which the angular momentum
entering the impeller is zero, so that maximum pressure rise can
take place. Then 1 = 90o, Vn1 = V1, and Eq. [2] becomes
[5]
From the geometry of the outlet velocity triangle,

V2

So, Eq.
q [5] takes the form
[6]
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Pump theory
Applying the continuity principle at the outlet region to the control
volume provides the relation
[7]
In which b2 is the width of the impeller at location 2.
2 Introducing
Eq. [7] into Eq. [6], and recalling that u2= r2, we get
[8]
If Q = 0, Eq. [8] gives the shut-off head (i.e. the head at zero
di h
discharge)
) for
f a pump as
[9]
Th actually
The
ll measuredd shut-off
h
ff head
h d off centrifugal
if l pumps is
i only
l
about 60 percent of the theoretical value given by Eq. [9].
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Pump theory
For a pump running at constant speed, Eq. [8] takes the form
[10]
in which ao and a1 are constants. Equation [10] gives the
theoretical head curve and is seen to be a straight
g line with a
negative slope.

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The effect of the blade angle 2 is shown in the figure. A forward

curving blade (2 > 90o) can be unstable and cause pump surge,
where the pump oscillates in an attempt to establish an operating
point. It may cause only rough operation in a liquid pump, but it can
be a major problem in compressor operation.
Backward curving vanes (2 < 90o) are generally preferred.
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