Similitude and Dimensional Analysis III

Hydromechanics VVR090

Analysis of Turbomachines
pumps (centrifugal, axial-flow) turbines (impulse, reaction) Dimensional analysis useful to make generalizations about similar turbomachines or distinguish between them. Relevant variables with reference to power (P): impeller diameter (D) rotational speed (N) flow (Q) energy added or subtracted (H) [H] = Nm/kg = m2/s2 fluid properties such as viscosity (m), density (), elasticity (E)

Archimedean Screw Pump

Rotodynamic Pumps

Radial flow pump (centrifugal)

Axial flow pump (propeller)

Turbines

Pelton

Kaplan

Dimensional Analysis for Turbomachines

Assume the following relationship among the variables:

f { P, D, N , Q, H , , , E} = 0
Buckinghams P-theorem: 3 fundamental dimensions (M, L, T) and 8 variables imply that 8-3=5 P-terms can be formed. Select , D, and N as variables containing the 3 fundamental dimensions to be combined with the remaining 5 variables (P, Q, H, m, and E).

Possible to use other variable combinations that contain the fundamental dimensions.

Buckinghams P-Theorem
, D, N combined with m yields:

1 = a b D c N d
Solving the dimensional equations gives:

1 =

ND 2 = Re

Derive other P-terms in the same manner:

, D, N combined with E

2 =

N 2 D 2 N 2 D 2 = = M2 2 E a

, D, N combined with P , D, N combined with Q

3 =
4 = 5 =

P = CP N 3 D 5
Q = CQ ND 3 H = CH N 2 D2

, D, N combined with H

Summarizing the results:

P = f '{CQ , CH , Re, M} N 3 D 5

Or:

Q = f ''{CP , CH , Re, M} ND 3 H = f '''{CP , CQ , Re, M} N 2 D2

Previous analysis:

P QH

Form a new P-term:

'3 =

CP P = f IV {CQ , CH , Re, M} QH CQ CH

Incompressible flow with CQ and CH held constant:

P = f V {Re} = H QH
hH = hydraulic efficiency

Alternative Approach
Assume that the relationship between P and , Q, and H is known, and that h includes both Re and mechanical effects. Assume the following relationship (incompressible flow):

f { D, N , Q, H , } = 0
An alternative dimensional analysis gives:

H Q = f ' , 2 2 3 N D ND

Typical Plot of Experimental Data

Spread represents variation with h (effects of Re)

H D2 Q D3

Alternative Dimensionless Terms

Specific speed (pumps):

Ns =

N Q H 3/ 4

(represents actual speed when machine operates under unit head and unit flow)

common to relate h to Ns characterize classes of pumps etc

Specific speed (turbines):

Ns =

N P H 5/ 4

Application of Dimensional Analysis to Pipe Friction

Assume the wall shear stress (o) depends on: mean velocity (V) diameter (d) mean height of roughness projections (e) fluid density () fluid viscosity (m)

The following relationship should hold:

f {o ,V , d , e, , } = 0

Buckinghams P-Theorem
V, d, combined with o yields:
a 1 = oV b d c d

Solving the dimensional equations gives:

1 =

o V 2

Further analysis gives:

2 =

e d

3 =

Vd

The following relationship may be derived:

o Vd e e = f ' , = f ' Re, 2 V d d e = relative roughness d

Hydraulically smooth

and rough flow

Darcy-Weisbach Friction Formula

Frictional losses in a pipe:

hL = f

LV2 d 2g

Energy equation:

hL =

o L gRh

e f = f '' Re, d

Moody Diagram

10