Fluid Machines

Rotodynamic Machine:
A mechanism for converting the energy of a moving
liquid or gas into the energy of a rotating shaft. The
power transfer to or from the flow takes place as a
result of the change in the angular momentum of the
fluid or gas during its passage through the rotor of the
machine.
 ENERGY MAY EXIST IN VARIOUS FORMS.
HYDRAULIC ENERGY is that which may be
possessed by a fluid. It may be in the form of kinetic,
pressure, potential, strain or thermal energy.
MECHANICAL ENERGY is that which is associated
with moving or rotating parts of machines, usually
transmitting power.
It is thus the purpose of hydraulic machines to
transform energy either from mechanical to hydraulic
or from hydraulic to mechanical.
 This distinction, based on the direction of energy
transfer forms the basis of grouping hydraulic
machines into two distinct categories.
All machines in which hydraulic energy form the input
and is transformed into mechanical energy, so that the
output is in the form of a rotating shaft or a moving
part of a machine, are known as turbines .
In the other category, the input is mechanical and is
transformed into hydraulic energy and the output is in
the form of a moving fluid, sometimes compressed
and at elevated temperature, such machines are called
pumps, fans and compressors. So energy is added to
the fluid.
 In rotodynamic machines, there is a free passage of
fluid between the inlet and outlet of the machine
without any intermittent sealing taking place.
All rotodynamic machines have a rotating parts called
a runner, impleller or rotor, which is able to rotate
continuously and freely in the fluid, allowing an
uninterrupted flow of fluid through it at the same
time.
Thus, the transfer of energy between the rotor and
fluid is continuous and is a result of the rate of change
of angular momentum.
 These two criteria, namely the direction of energy
transfer and the type of action, form the basis of
classification of hydraulic machines.
From this it will be seen that pumps and compressors
increase the energy of the fluid and may be
rotodynamic.
In turbines the work is done by the fluid and the
action is rotodynamic.
 In Positive displacement machines, fluid is drawn
or forced into a finite space bounded by mechanical
parts and is then sealed into by some mechanical
means.
The fluid is then forced out or allowed to flow out
form the space and the cycle is repeated.
Thus, in positive displacement machines, the fluid
flow is irregular or fluctuating to greater or lesser
extent and the flow rate of the fluid is governed by the
dimensions of the space in the machine and by the
frequency with which it is filled and emptied.
Classification of Fluid Machines
Rotodynamic Machines
Energy added to the Fluid (i.e. work done on the fluid)

Pumps, fans,
compressors

Cased Uncased

Propellers and
Axial Mixed Flow Radial/Centrifugal
screws
Fan impeller
Mixed flow fan impeller

Centrifugal Pump Impeller,

shrouded
Centrifugal Pump Impeller,
unshrouded
Classification of Fluid Machines
Rotodynamic Machines
Energy subtracted from the Fluid (i.e. work done by the
fluid)

Turbines

Impulse Reaction

Pelton Mixed Flow Axial Flow

Windmills Radial Flow
Wheel (Francis) (Kaplan)
Rotodynamic Machines
All rotodynamic machines, as previously stated, have a
rotating part called the impeller, through which the
fluid flow is continuous
The direction of the fluid flow in relation to the plane
of impeller rotation distinguishes different classes of
rotodynamic machines
Axial Flow Machines
One possibility is for the flow to be perpendicular to
the impeller and hence along its axis of rotation, as
shown in figure. Machines of this kind are called axial
flow machines
Rotodynamic Machines
Centrifugal Machines
In centrifugal machines (sometimes called radial
flow), although the fluid approaches the impeller
axially, it turns at the machine inlet so that the flow
through impeller is in the plane of the impeller
rotation
Mixed Flow Machines
They constitute the third category. They derive their
name from the fact that the flow through the impellers
is partly axial and partly radial
Rotodynamic Machines
Both pumps and turbines can be axial flow, mixed flow or
radial flow. In the case of pumps, the last are normally
referred to as centrifugal.
All impellers consist of a supporting disc or cylinder and
blades attached to it. It is the motion of the blades which is
related to the motion of the fluid, one doing the work on
the other or vice versa.
In any case, there are forces exerted on the blades and,
since they rotate with the impeller, torque is transmitted
because of the rate of change of angular momentum