CE-UG-2018

Spring FEB-JUN 2020

Ratio of efficiencies of two
similar machines is unity
Type Number
The performance of the machines belonging from different
families may be compared by plotting their dimensionless
characteristics on the same graph, but it lacks brevity
required in the machine classification.
This is obtained by the use of Type Number also known as
specific speed.
The type number is obtained from dimensionless coefficients.
With the aid of type number various types of pumps and
turbines may be classified and compared.
The type number refers to design point, it is used as the most
important design parameter.
 Every machine is designed to meet a specific
duty, usually referred to as the design point.
 For a pump, for example, this would be
stated in terms of the flow rate and the head
developed and, thus, represents a particular
point on its basic performance characteristic.
 The design point is normally associated with
the maximum efficiency of the machine.
 It is thus , informative to compare machines
by quoting the values of KQ , KH and Kp
corresponding to their design points.
Type number for Pumps
Since for pumps KQ and KH are the two most
important parameters, their ratio would
indicate the suitability of a particular pump for
large or small volumes relative to the head
developed. If the ratio is obtained in such a way
that the impeller diameter is eliminated from it,
then the comparison becomes independent of
machine size.
This is achieved by raising KQ to the power ½
and KH to the power ¾.
Type number for Pumps
Type number for turbines
The comparison of turbines is also achieved by the
use of their type numbers.
However since for turbine power developed is the
most important variable, an alternative expression for
type number in terms of power developed is obtained
by eliminating D from the ratio of power and head
coefficients.
This is achieved by raising the power coefficient to
the power of ½ and head coefficient to the power of
5/4 and taking their ratio.
Type number for turbines
It must be realized that a value of type number can be
calculated for any point on the characteristic curve.
Such values are, however, of no practical interest and
only the type number at the design point, usually
referred to as the type number, is used for
classification, comparison and design purposes.
Since the type number refers to the design point, it is
used as the most important design parameter.
 Water Turbines
Turbines are subdivided into impulse and reaction
machines.
Impulse Turbine
In impulse turbine the total head is
first converted into the kinetic energy.
This is usually accomplished in one
or more nozzles.
The jet issuing from the nozzle
strike vanes attached to the
periphery of the rotating wheel.
Since the fluid energy which is
reduced on passing through the
runner is entirely kinetic energy. It
follows that absolute velocity at the
outlet is less than that of inlet.
Reaction Turbine
In reaction turbines fluid first passes
through a ring of stationary guide vanes in
which only part of total head is being
converted in kinetic energy.
The guide vane discharge directly into the
runner along the whole of its periphery, so
that fluid entering the runner has pressure
energy as well as kinetic energy.
The pressure energy is converted into
kinetic energy in the runner (the passage
running full)
Impulse Turbine:
 The total head available is first converted into K.E.
 Accomplished in one or more nozzles.
 The jets issuing form nozzles strike vanes attached to the periphery of the
rotating wheel.
 Energy transferred , due to rate of change of angular momentum
 Fluid energy is entirely K.E.
 v1>v2
 Fluid pressure is atmospheric
 Relative velocity is constant.
Reaction turbine:
 the fluid passes first through a ring of
stationary guide vanes.
 In guide vanes, part of available total head
is converted into K.E.
 The guide vanes discharges directly into
the runner along the whole of its
periphery.
 The fluid entering the runner has pressure
energy as well as K.E.
 Pressure Energy is converted into K.E, in
the runner.
 Relative velocity is not constant , increases
through the runner.
 There is pressure difference across the
runner.
Degree of Reaction
The parameter which describes reaction turbine is
degree of reaction “it is the ratio of static pressure drop
and total Energy transferred per unit weight of fluid.
Water turbines are mainly used in power stations to drive electric generators.
There are three well-known types which are used:
the Pelton wheel, which is an impulse turbine,
the Francis type and the axial flow (Kaplan) turbines, both being of the reaction type.
Pelton Wheel

where k represents the reduction of the relative

velocity due to friction.
This equation shows that there is no energy transfer when the vane velocity is
either zero or equal to the jet velocity. It is reasonable to expect, therefore, that the
maximum energy transfer will occur at some intermediate value of the vane velocity.
This may be obtained by differentiation as follows:
Francis Turbine
The total head available to the machine is H and the water velocity on entering
the guide vanes is v0. The velocity leaving the guide vanes is v1 and is related to v0 by
the continuity equation