Similarity Laws for Turbo-machinery

P M V Subbarao
Professor
Mechanical Engineering Department

From Inception to Utilization….

Buckingham, E. The principle of similitude. Nature 96,
396-397 (1915).
 The purpose of Dimensional Analysis

• Want to determine which variables to study.

• Want to determine the parameters that significantly affect
the system.
• Reduce the cost/effort of experimental analysis by
studying the most important groups of variables.
• The ideas can be used for any physical system.
• This will help in the design of scale test models
 Similitude & Dimensional Analysis

•Scale model to prototype design and analysis.

•Used to select proper turbo-machine (axial, radial or mixed flow,…)
•Used to define performance parameters
 Similarity Laws
• GEOMETRIC
– Linear dimension ratios are the same everywhere.
– Photographic enlargement
• KINEMATIC (ϕm = ϕp)
– Same flow coefficients
– Same fluid velocity ratios (triangles) are the same
• DYNAMIC (ψm = ψp)
– Same loading coefficient
– Same force ratios (and force triangles)
• Energetic (Pm = Pp)
– Same power coefficient
– Same energy ratios.
 Euler’s GENERIC TURBOMACHINE
(turbine, compressor, pump, ….)

•List the n physical quantities (Qn) with dimensions and the k

fundamental dimensions.
•There will be (n-k) π-terms.
•Select k of these quantities, none dimensionless and no two having
the same dimensions.
•All fundamental dimensions must be included collectively in the
quantities selected.
Fundamental Quantities for Turbo-machines
 The First Non-dimensional Parameter

 1  N a  Db   c  Q d

Q
1 
ND 3

Flow Coefficient or Capacity Coefficient (f)

Q
f
ND 3

“the dimensionless ‘swallowing’ capacity of the machine”

 Flow Velocity Vs Blade Speed
Volumetric flow rate (Q) can be related to the fluid velocity :

A particular value of f implies a specific relationship between

fluid velocity and blade/impeller speed.
Efficiency (η) vs Flow coefficient (ϕ)
Design Innovations for Better Performance
Strategies to Capture More Power from Wind
Pitch-Controlled Variable-Speed Wind Turbine Generation
Grid Acceptable Power
 The second Non-dimensional Parameter

 2  N  D    p 
a b c d

p
2 
N D
2 2

•p corresponds to the energy per unit volume of the fluid.

• N2D2 relates to the rotor or impeller dynamic pressure (K.E.

per unit volume).

•Loading Coefficient
 Load Coefficient or Head Coefficient

For compressible fluid machines :

h
Load Coefficien t :  2
U

For incompressible fluid machines :

gH
Head Coefficien t :  2
N  D2
Selection of Load Coefficient for an Axial Flow Compressor
Accepted Technology for Hydro Power
generation
Universal Design Chart for Power Consuming
Turbo-machines
The Third non-dimensional Parameter

3  N  D    P
a b c d

P
P
  N 2  D5
Role of Power Coefficient : Wind Turbines
Size Vs Capacity of A Wind TUrbine
Design Upgradation
Similarity of Model & Prototype
Design for Best Efficiency for Pumps & Fans
Dimensions for Performance

DgH 
1/ 4
Ds 
Q1/ 2