MI 304 FLUID MACHINES

LECTURE 3
B. K. Gandhi
Similitude and dimensional analysis
By making use of this principle, it becomes possible to
predict the performance of one machine from the results
of tests on a geometrically similar machine, and also to
predict the performance of the same machine under
operating conditions different from the test condition.
Physical parameters
D (any physical dimension, diameter) :L
Q (volume flow rate) : L3T-1
N (rotational speed) : T-1
H (head) :L
ρ (density) : ML-3
μ (viscosity) : ML-1T-1
g (acceleration due to gravity) : LT-2
P (power) : ML2T-3
 Similitude and dimensional analysis
– It is more logical to consider the energy per unit mass gH as
the variable rather than H alone so that acceleration due to
gravity does not appear as a separate variable.
P = f (D, Q, N, gH, ρ, µ)
– The number of separate variables becomes seven: D, Q, N,
gH, ρ, µ, and P .
– Using Buckingham's π theorem with D, N and ρ as the
repeating variables, the expression for the four terms are
obtained as
 Q gH  ND3 P 
f
 N 3 D5 
, , ,
3
 ND N D
2 2


Q gH  ND3 4 
P
1  2  2 2 3   N 3 D5
ND3 N D 
Similitude and dimensional analysis
Physical significance
All lengths of the machine are proportional to D , and all
areas to D2. Therefore, the average flow velocity at any
section in the machine is proportional to Q/D2.

Again, the peripheral velocity of the rotor is proportional

to the product ND.

 Q 
 2  fluid velocity V
1 
Q
  D 
ND 3 ND rotor velocity U

2 gH total fluid energy per unit mass

 
1  Q / D  kinetic energy of the fluid per unit mass
2 2 2
Similitude and dimensional analysis
Specific speed
The performance or operating conditions for a turbine handling a
particular fluid are usually expressed by the values of N , P and
H , and for a pump by N , Q and H .
It is important to know the range of these operating parameters
covered by a machine of a particular shape (homologous
series) at high efficiency.
Such information enables us to select the type of machine best
suited to a particular application, and thus serves as a starting
point in its design.
Therefore a parameter independent of the size of the machine D
is required which will be the characteristic of all the machines
of a homologous series.
Similitude and dimensional analysis
Specific speed for turbine
 4 
1/ 2
P gH
Ns  4  2 
 N 3 D5
 2 
5/ 4
N 2 D2

N P /   P / 
1/2 1/2

Ns  , s 
 gH   gH 
5/4 5/4

Specific speed for pump

 1 
1/ 2
Q
Ns  1 
 2  ND3
3/ 4

NQ1/ 2 Q1/ 2 s  2 Ns
Ns  , s 
 gH   gH 
3/ 4 3/ 4
Specific speed for different types of hydraulic turbines

Specific speed is in metric system of units (rpm, hp1/2, m5/4)

Head coefficient is function of specific speed
Blade outlet angle is function of specific speed
General Characteristics of Rotodynamic Pumps
Problem1: A centrifugal pump delivers 2.5 m3/s under a head of 14m and
running at a speed of 2010rpm. The impeller diameter of the pump is 125mm. If
a 104mm diameter impeller is fitted and the pump runs at a speed of 2210rpm,
what is the volume rate? Determine also the new pump head.
Solution: Equating the flow coefficient
Q1 Q2 2.5 Q2
 or 
2010   0.125 2210   0.104 
3 3
N1D13 N2 D23
Solving the above equation, the volume flow rate of the second pump is
2.5  2210  (0.104)3
Q2   1.58 m3 / s
2010   0.125 
3

Now, equating head coefficient

gH1

gH 2 9.8114 9.81 H 2
N12 D12 N 22 D22

(2010 125)2 (2210 104)2

H2 = 11.72m of water
Problem 2: A radial flow hydraulic turbine produces 32kW under a head of
16m and running at 100rpm. A geometrically similar model producing 42kW
and a head of 6m is to be tested under geometrically similar conditions. If
model efficiency is assumed to be 92%, find the diameter ratio between the
model and prototype, the volume flow rate through the model, and speed of the
model?
Assuming constant fluid density, equating head, flow, and power
Solution:
coefficient, using subscripts 1 for the prototype and 2 for the model,
P1 P2
 , where 1   2
( 1 N13D15 ) (  2 N 32 D52 )
3 3 3
3 3
D2  0.032   N1 5  N1  5
D2  P2   N1 
5
5 5      0.238  
Then,     or D1  42   N 2   N2 
D1  P1   N 2 
Also, gH1 gH 2
 (Gravity remains constant)
 N1D1   N2 D2 
2 2

Then 1 1
D2  H 2   N1   6   N1 
2 2
      
D1  H1   N 2   16   N 2 
Equating the diameter ratio, we get
3 1 3
N   6 N 
5 2  N2 5
0.612
0.238  1      1  or     2.57
 N 2   16   N 2   N1  0.238
Therefore the model speed is
5
N 2  100  (2.57)  1059 rpm
2

Model scale ratio is given by

3
D2  100  5
 (0.238)    0.238(0.094)  0.058
0.6

D1  1059 
Model efficiency is
Power out put 42 103
  or, 0.92 
Water power input  gQH

42 103
Q  0.776 m3
/s
0.92 10  9.81 6
3
 Application of linear momentums equations:

 To determine force exerted by the flowing fluid.

(i) Forces caused by a fluid jet striking a surface
(ii) Jet propulsion and Rocket mechanics
(iii) Propeller of marine and air ships including Helicopter
(iv) Force caused by flow round a pipe bend.

 To determine the flow characteristics when there is some loss

of unknown quality of energy in the flow system.
 Linear Momentum & Impulse Momentum Equations
dv x
 Fx  m dt for system
m
Fx  t Vx 2  Vx1  for control volume
F x  
 PQ Vx 2  Vx1  One dimensional momentum equation

External Force includes

• Pressure force - between any boundary surface.
• Inertia force - gravity & centrifugal effects.
• Drag force - boundary surface & flow.
 Dynamic Action of Fluid
The major problem in turbo machinery is to find power
developed (consumed) by (or in) a particular machine.
The power is determined from force which comes by applying
'Newton's Second Law of Motion'.

 Dynamic force by a Jet on a stationary vertical plate

V
Q

F x  Q0  V   QV
 Dynamic force by a Jet on a stationary inclined plate

Fn  QV
. sin 
Fx  Fn sin   QV
. sin 2 

Fs  0   Q.V cos 
  Q1V   Q2V

 Q cos  Q1  Q2

By continuity equation
Q  Q1  Q2
1 1
 Q1  1  cos   and Q2  1  cos   .Q
2 2
 Dynamic force by a Jet on a moving vertical plate
u – plate velocity, V – Jet velocity

Fx  Q 0  V  u 

For a simple moving plate Q = a(V-u)

For a number of vanes on a rotor Q = a . V

Work done = Fx .u  Q(V  u). u

1 1
K.E. of jet = mV   QV 2
2

2 2
Let
u
    2 (1   )
V

For 𝜂max
𝜕𝜂 1 𝑉
=0 ⇒𝜙= 𝑜𝑟 𝑢 =
𝜕𝑢 2 2
Problem 3: Water at 20o exits to the standard sea-level atmosphere through the split
nozzle in fig. Duct areas are A1 = 0.02m2 and A2 = A3 = 0.008m2. If p1 = 135kPa
(absolute) and the flow rate is Q2 =Q3 =275m3/h, compute the force on the flange
bolts at section 1.

Solution: With the known flow rates, we can compute the

various velocities:
275 / 3600m3 / s 550 / 3600
V2  V3   9.55m / s; V1   7.64m / s
0.008m2 0.02
The CV encloses the split nozzle and cuts through the flange.
The balance of force is

 X
F   Fbolts  p A
1, gage 1   Q
2 V2 cos 30 0
  Q3 
V3 cos 30 0

  Q1 ( V1 )

 275   550 
Fbolts  2(998)  

 3600 
9.55cos 300
998   (7.64)  (135000  101350)(0.02)
 3600 
 1261  1165  673  3100 N Ans.
Problem 4. A flat plate is struck normally by a jet of water 50 mm in diameter with a
velocity of 18 ms-1. Calculate (a) the force on the plate when it is stationary, (b) the
force on the plate when it moves in the same direction as the jet with a velocity of 6
ms-1, and (c) the work done per second and the efficiency in case (b).
Solution: Given Data d  50 mm  0.05 m, V1 18 m / sec , U  6 m / s
(a) the force on the plate when it is stationary
F  mV
  AV .V

1000  (0.05) 2 18 18
4
F  635.85 N
(b) the force on the plate when it is moving
F   A(V1  U ) 2

 1000  (0.05) 2 (18  6) 2
4
F  282.6 N
(c) the work done per second and the efficiency in case (b).
Work were per unit time
1 1 
W  A(V1  U ) 2 (V1  U )  1000  (0.05) 2 (18.6)3
2 2 4

W 1695.6 watt
Efficiency
1695.6  2

1695.6 

 0.2961
1 2   (0.05) 2 18 182
mV 4
2
%  29.61%