TURBOMACHINES

AND THEIR CLASSIFICATION

 TURBOMACHINES
 We classify as turbomachines all those devices
in which energy is transferred either to, or from, a
continuously flowing fluid by the dynamic action of
one or more moving blade rows. The word turbo or
turbinis is of Latin origin and implies that which
spins or whirls around. Essentially, a rotating blade
row, a rotor or an impeller changes the stagnation
enthalpy of the fluid moving through it by either
doing positive or negative work, depending upon
the effect required of the machine.
 CLASSIFICATION

TURBOMACHINES

ABSORB POWER
PRODUCE POWER
TO INCREASE
BY EXPANDING THE FLUID
FLUID PRESSURE
TO A LOWER PRESSURE
OR ENERGY

DUCTED FANS, HYDRAULIC

COMPRESSORS, STEAM &
PUMPS GAS TURBINES
 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON
FLOW DIRECTION
 Categorisation according to the nature of the flow path through
the passages of the rotor.
– Whenthe path of the through-flow is wholly or mainly parallel
to the axis of rotation, the device is termed an axial flow
turbomachine (e.g. Pelton Wheel turbine & axial flow pumps
or compressors). There is no significant change of radius
between the flow entry and exit i.e. u1 = u2
– When the path of the through-flow is wholly or mainly in a
plane perpendicular to the rotation axis, the device is termed
a radial flow turbomachine (e.g. centrifugal pump or
compressor)
– Mixed flow turbomachines are widely used. The term mixed
flow in this context refers to the direction of the through-flow
at rotor outlet when both radial and axial velocity components
are present in significant amounts e.g a mixed flow pump and
a mixed flow Francis hydraulic turbine.
 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON
DEGREE OF REACTION
 Degree of reaction ( R ) is defined as the rate of energy
transfer by virtue of change of static pressure to the total
energy transfer.
– IMPULSE MACHINE : NO CHANGE OF STATIC
PRESSURE IN THE ROTOR. R = 0 ; ENERGY
TRANSFER IS WHOLLY AFFECTED BY A JET OF
FLUID STRIKING THE BLADE. E.g. PELTON WHEEL
TURBINE.
– RECTION TURBINE: R = 1; ALL ENERGY TRANSFER
OCCURS BY VIRTUE OF CHANGE OF STATIC
PRESSURE IN THE ROTOR e.g. ROCKET
PROPULSION, LAWN SPRINKLER
 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON
PRINCIPLE OF OPERATION
 POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT: The fluid is drawn or
forced into finite space by mechanical parts & is
sealed in it by mechanical means (plunger cylinder
arrangement). The fluid is then forced out of the
space by means of mechanical thrust e.g.
reciprocating pump
 ROTODYNAMIC MACHINES: They have arotating
part known as runner (Turbine) , impeller (Pump)
and rotor (Compressor) which rotate continuously
and freely in the fluid.
 CLASSIFICATION BASED ON
TRANSFER OF ENERGY
 The device in which the kinetic, potential or
intermolecular energy held by the fluid is
converted to mechanical energy of a rotating
member is known as TURBINE.
 When mechanical energy from the moving parts is
transferred to a fluid to increase its stored energy
by increasing either its pressure or velocity are
known as pumps, compressors, fans or blowers.