Energy Transfer in Turbomachines

ENERGY TRANSFER IN TURBOMACHINES

Euler’s Turbine Equation:

Fig.2. 1 Fluid flow through a rotor of a turbomachine.

Assumptions:
i. Fluid flow through the turbomachine is steady flow.
ii. Mass flow rate is constant and the state of the fluid doesn’t vary with time.
iii. Rate of energy transfer at the rotor is constant.
iv. Losses due to leakage are neglected.
The absolute velocity of the fluid can be resolved in to three mutually perpendicular velocity
components:
a. Axial component (Vf), which is parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor.
b. Radial component (Vm), which is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotor.
c. Tangential component (Vw), which is along the tangential direction of the rotor.
Force applied on the rotor = Rate of change of momentum
mVw
F = ∆( ) = ṁ(Vw1 − Vw2 )
t

But, Torque = Force × Radius

𝐓= 𝐅×𝐫
Then, T = ṁ(VW1 r1 − VW2 r2 )
But, Rate of energy transfer = Torque × Angular velocity
Ė = 𝐓 × 𝛚
Then, Ė = ṁ(Vw1 r1 ω1 − Vw2 r2 ω2 )
But, tangential velocity of rotor U =r×ω
Then, Ė = ṁ(U1 Vu1 − U2 Vu2 )
Energy transfer per unit mass flow of fluid is
Ė
e = ṁ = (U1 Vu1 − U2 Vu2 ) (2.1)

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Energy Transfer in Turbomachines

The equation (2.1) is the general Euler’s equation for all kind of turbomachines.
For power generating turbomachine energy transfer is positive (i.e.U1 Vu1 > U2 Vu2 )
Therefore, 𝐞 = (𝐔𝟏 𝐕𝐮𝟏 − 𝐔𝟐 𝐕𝐮𝟐 ) (2.2)
For power absorbing turbomachine energy transfer is negative (i.e.U2 Vu2 > U1 Vu1 )
Therefore, 𝐞 = (𝐔𝟐 𝐕𝐮𝟐 − 𝐔𝟏 𝐕𝐮𝟏 ) (2.3)

Alternate (modified) form of Euler’s turbine equation is given by

𝟏
𝐞= [(𝐕𝟏𝟐 − 𝐕𝟐𝟐 ) + (𝐔𝟏𝟐 − 𝐔𝟐𝟐 ) − (𝐕𝐫𝟏
𝟐 𝟐
− 𝐕𝐫𝟐 )]
𝟐
Answer: Let us consider velocity diagram for generalized rotor as shown in figure 2.3.

Fig. 2 Generalized velocity diagrams.

Let V= Absolute velocity of fluid
α = Angle made by V wrt tangential direction or nozzle angle or guide vane angle
Vr= Relative velocity of the fluid
β = Rotor angle or blade angle wrt tangential direction
U= Tangential velocity of the rotor
Vw1= Tangential component of the absolute velocity or whirl velocity
Vf =Vm=Va= Radial component or axial component of the absolute velocity or flow velocity
Consider outlet velocity triangle, OBC
2
Vf2 = V22 − Vu2
2
(2.4)
From outlet velocity triangle, OAC
2 2
Vf2 = Vr2 − (U2 − Vu2 )2 (Because, U2 and Vu2 are in opposite direction)
2 2
Vf2 = Vr2 − U22 − Vu2
2
+ 2U2 Vu2 (2.5)
Compare equations (2.4) and (2.5)
V22 − Vu2
2 2
= Vr2 − U22 − Vu2
2
+ 2U2 Vu2
2U2 Vu2 = V22 + U22 − Vr2
2

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Energy Transfer in Turbomachines

1
Or U2 Vu2 = 2 (V22 + U22 − Vr2
2
) (2.6)

Similarly, for inlet velocity triangle

1
U1 Vu1 = 2 (V12 + U12 − Vr1
2
) (2.7)

Substitute equations (2.6) and (2.7) in Euler’s turbine equations (2.2) and (2.3)
For power generating turbo machines,
𝟏
𝐞 = 𝟐 [(𝐕𝟏𝟐 − 𝐕𝟐𝟐 ) + (𝐔𝟏𝟐 − 𝐔𝟐𝟐 ) − (𝐕𝐫𝟏
𝟐 𝟐
− 𝐕𝐫𝟐 )] (2.8)

For power absorbing turbo machines,

𝟏
𝐞 = 𝟐 [(𝐕𝟐𝟐 − 𝐕𝟏𝟐 ) + (𝐔𝟐𝟐 − 𝐔𝟏𝟐 ) − (𝐕𝐫𝟐
𝟐 𝟐
− 𝐕𝐫𝟏 )] (2.9)

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Energy Transfer in Turbomachines

(V21 −V22 ) (V22 −V21 )

First component: or change in the absolute kinetic energy and which causes a change
2 2

in the dynamic head or dynamic pressure of the fluid through the machine.
(U21 −U22 ) (U22 −U21 )
Second component: or change in the centrifugal energy of the fluid in the motion. This
2 2

is due to the change in the radius of rotation of the fluid. This causes a change in the static head or static
pressure of the fluid through the rotor.
(V2r1 −V2r2 ) (V2r2 −V2r1 )
Third component: or change in the relative kinetic energy and which causes a
2 2

change in the static head or static pressure of the fluid across the rotor.
.

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