Fluid Machinery

Unit2 – Dimensionless Parameters

Learning objectives
› Buckingham pi theorem and efficiency of pump and turbine in
terms of various relevant dimensionless numbers.

› Difference between incompressible and compressible flow

turbomachinery in terms of their performance variables.

› Laws of affinity for turbomachines.

› Principle of modelling and choice of machines based on

dimensionless numbers.

› Unit quantities for turbomachinery.

Introduction
› Dimensional analysis is the method of forming
dimensionless groups and process of identifying
important ones among them.

› Dimensional analysis has two important functions

– It is used to characterize the performance of models and extend
the same to prototypes .
– It is used to choose machines suitable for the given
characteristic's specifications.
Buckingham’s 𝞹-theorem
The 𝞹-theorem states that, in a given problem, if the number of variables is n,
number of dimensionless groups (𝞹 terms) is given by,

 = n−k
where k ⩽ m and m = number of primary dimensions.

Let there be 3 dependent variables y1-y3 and five independent variables x1-
x5. If three primary dimensions are involved (M, L and T), then 𝞹-theorem
gives 𝞹 = 8-3 = 5. The functional relationship between 𝞹-terms is given by,

 1 ,  2 = f ( 3 ,  4 ,  5 ...)
More dimensionless terms can be formed by a combination of above terms.
The selection of 𝞹-terms on two sides of above equation depend on the
behavior of the machine. The terms on RHS must be control variables.
Incompressible flow turbomachines
Variables for Incompressible Flow
Machines
Variable Symbol Dimension
Specific energy w L2 T-2
or specific work
Volume flow rate Q L3 T -1
Speed N T -1
Rotor diameter D L
Turbomachine as a Control Volume Density ρ ML-3
Viscosity μ ML-1T-1

The power output is a function of variables.

P = f (gH , Q,  ,  , N , D )

P = constant (gH ) (Q ) ( ) ( ) (N ) (D )
a b c d e f

Incompressible flow turbomachines
Writing and equating the dimensions on both sides, and rearranging
the terms gives the following relations with dimensionless numbers,

P   gH   Q   ND 
a b 2 c
= f  2 2   3  
  
N D
3 5
 N D   ND     
The dimensionless groups are known by the following names
∆𝑝𝑜 P QgH Qw
Power coefficient = C P = = =
𝑤 = ∆ℎ𝑜 =
𝜌
= 𝑔𝐻 N 3 D 5 N 3 D 5 N 3 D 5
Q Cf
Flow or capacity coefficient =  = 3
=
ND Cb
gH w
Head coefficient =  = =
N 2 D 2 (ND )2
w
Energy coefficient =  = 2
Cb
 Compressible Flow Turbomachines
Variables for
Compressible Flow Machines
The pressure at the outlet can be written as
Variable Symbol Dimension a function of the following variables to
Total pressure p0 ML-1T-2 consider compressibility of gases.
. .
Mass flow rate M T -1
m p02 = f ( D, N , m, p01 , T01 , T02 ,  01 ,  02 ,  )
Speed N T -1
Rotor diameter D L Writing and equating the dimensions on
Viscosity μ ML-1T-1 both sides, and rearranging the terms gives
the following relations with dimensionless
Density ρ ML-3 numbers,
Total temperature T0 
 
RT02 m(RT01 )
.
p02  0.5
ND

=f   , , , R 
 RT01  p01 D 2 (RT01 )0.5 
e
p01
 
Compressible Flow Turbomachines
  . 
› For a machine using a particular fluid, or
a model using the same fluid as
p02 T
= f  02 ,
m (T 01 )0.5
,
ND 
prototype, gas constant R is constant p01  T01 

p01 (T01 ) 
0.5


and may be eliminated.
› In most cases Reynolds number Re is so p02 T02 m(T01 )
.
0.5
› Usually , are plotted against
high and the flow so turbulent that p01 T01 p01
changes in Re over the operating range
may be neglected. › for various values of
ND
.
– Large changes of density causes a significant
(T1 )0.5
›
reduction in Re, and this must then be
considered. › Full dimensionless groups must be used if it is
required to change the size of the machine or the
› For a particular machine, the diameter gas contained.
may be ignored. Therefore, in view of the
above considerations, functional ND
› The term
relationship becomes, (RT1 )0.5 can be interpreted as
›
› Mach number.
Compressible Flow Turbomachines
Isentropic Efficiency

Compression Process on T-s Expansion Process on T-s Diagram

T − TDiagram
T h −h T01 − T02 T0 h −h
 sc = 02 s 01
= 0, s
= 02 s 01
 st = = = 01 02
T02 − T01 T0 h02 − h01 T01 − T02 s T0, s h01 − h02 s
Since isentropic efficiency expressions of compressor and turbine are
based on stagnation or total conditions, these are denoted by ( s )t −t .
Model Testing
› Before a full size machine is built,
model testing is done to obtain as
much info as possible about its
characteristics
› But three criteria to be met
– Geometric similarity
– Kinematic similarity
– Dynamic similarity
› Geometric similarity – ratio of all
dimensions (length) between
model and prototype should be
same
› Kinetic Similarity – Velocities of
the fluid particles at
corresponding points in the model
and prototype must be related
through a fixed ratio
› Dynamic similarity – Forces acting
at corresponding points in the
model and prototype must be
related through a fixed ratio
› Geometrically similar and dynamic
similar → kinematic similar
Laws of Affinity
› Generally, the effect of Re is
negligible over a limited
range and as long as the
operating points are lying
within this range, Re equality
need not be insisted
› If different operating
conditions refer to the same
machine using the same Operations under ‘a’ and ‘b’ should be under
similar conditions (same system line or
fluid, then diameter and throttle line). Only then velocity triangles
density will be the same. and incidence will be same
2 3
 Nb   Nb   Nb 

Qb = Qa  
 
, wb = wa  
 , Pb = Pa  
 Na   Na   Na 
Principles of Modelling
› Prototype with subscript ‘p’ › Power coefficient with
and the model with the same fluid used in model
subscript ‘m’ and prototype, i.e. 𝜌𝑝 = 𝜌𝑚
› Flow coefficient 𝑃 𝑃
= 3 5
𝑁 3 𝐷5 𝑝 𝑁 𝐷 𝑚
𝑄 𝑄
=
𝑁𝐷 3 𝑝 𝑁𝐷 3 𝑚
𝐷𝑝
› If 𝑁𝑚 = 𝑁𝑝
𝐷𝑚
› Energy coefficient
these relations are further
𝑤 𝑤
𝑁 2 𝐷2
= 2 2
𝑁 𝐷
simplified
𝑝 𝑚
Choice of Machines Based on Dimensionless
Numbers
Shape Number or Dimensionless Specific Diameter (Ds)
Specific speed (Nsh) Q Cf
Shape number and specific diameter are Flow coefficient =  = =
ND 3 Cb
generally used in the selection of most
appropriate machine. Generally for 2w
Energy coefficient =  =
pumps, C2
b2
Shape number or specific speed = N sh =
(Flow coefficient )
1/ 2

(Head coefficient )3 / 4 (Energy coefficient )

1/ 4
 w 
(Q / ND )
1/ 4
3 1/ 2
Ds = = 2

N Q N Q
(Volume coefficient )1/ 2  ( ND ) 
Shape number or specific speed = N sh = = D( gH )
1/ 4
(gH )3 / 4 w3 / 4 D =
s
Q1/ 2

Generally for turbines, A Cordier diagram, drawn for specific

Shape number or specific speed = N sh =
(Power coefficient )
1/ 2
diameter against specific speed, which
(Head coefficient )3 / 4 is available as design guideline, is
used for selection of the required
N P N P
Shape number or specific speed = N sh = = impeller or rotor.
 1/ 2 (gH )5 / 4
 1 / 2 w5 / 4
Cordier Diagram

Cordier Diagram
Cordier Diagram
Unit Quantities
N  H 1/ 2 , Q  H 1/ 2 , P  H 3 / 2 › The terms ‘unit speed’ and
‘unit power’ and ‘unit
Unit Speed discharge’ are frequently
N used to express the
Nu = operational characteristics of
H hydraulic turbines.
Unit Discharge › Unit speed is defined as the
speed of a geometrically
Qu =
Q similar turbine working under
H a unit head (of 1m)
Unit Power › Similar definitions for Qu and
Pu
P
Pu = 3 / 2
H
Unit Quantities
N  H 1/ 2 , Q  H 1/ 2 , P  H 3 / 2 Two homologous turbines 1 and 2,
having the same diameter, the speed,
Unit Speed discharge and power, are related as,
N
Nu =
H  N   N 
N u1 = N u 2 = Nu    = 
Unit Discharge  H 1  H  2
 Q   Q 
Q Qu1 = Qu 2 = Qu    = 
Qu =  H 1  H 2
H
 P   P 
Unit Power Pu1 = Pu 2 = Pu   3 / 2  =  3 / 2 
 H 1  H  2
P
Pu = 3 / 2
H