Scribd
Upload
14 views2 pages

Geometric Similarity in Fluid Machines

The document discusses the principle of similarity and dimensional analysis as applied to fluid machines. It introduces geometrical and kinematic similarity, noting that geometrically similar machines form a homologous series where members share a common shape as scaled versions of each other. Dimensional analysis is then used to determine the dimensionless parameters or π terms that represent the criteria for similarity in flows through fluid machines. Eight relevant variables are identified and Buckingham's π theorem is applied to determine there are five independent π terms characterizing the system. The significance and typical names of the different π terms are to be discussed next.

Uploaded by

aziz1297
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
14 views2 pages

Geometric Similarity in Fluid Machines

The document discusses the principle of similarity and dimensional analysis as applied to fluid machines. It introduces geometrical and kinematic similarity, noting that geometrically similar machines form a homologous series where members share a common shape as scaled versions of each other. Dimensional analysis is then used to determine the dimensionless parameters or π terms that represent the criteria for similarity in flows through fluid machines. Eight relevant variables are identified and Buckingham's π theorem is applied to determine there are five independent π terms characterizing the system. The significance and typical names of the different π terms are to be discussed next.

Uploaded by

aziz1297
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Lecture3

PrincipleofSimilarityandDimensionalAnalysis
The principle of similarity is a consequence of nature for any physical phenomenon. By making use of this
principle, it becomes possible to predict the performance of one machine from the results of tests on a
geometrically similar machine, and also to predict the performance of the same machine under conditions
[Link] fluid machine, geometrical similarity must apply to all significant parts
of the system viz., the rotor, the entrance and discharge passages and so on. Machines which are
geometrically similar form a homologous series. Therefore, the member of such a series, having a common
shape are simply enlargements or reductions of each other. If two machines are kinematically similar, the
velocityvectordiagramsatinletandoutletoftherotorofonemachinemustbesimilartothoseoftheother.
Geometrical similarity of the inlet and outlet velocity diagrams is, therefore, a necessary condition for
dynamicsimilarity.
Let us now apply dimensional analysis to determine the dimensionless parameters, i.e., the terms as the
criteria of similarity for flows through fluid machines. For a machine of a given shape, and handling
compressiblefluid,therelevantvariablesaregiveninTable3.1
Table3.1VariablePhysicalParametersofFluidMachine
Variablephysicalparameters

Dimensionalformula

D=anyphysicaldimensionofthemachineasa
measureofthemachine'ssize,usuallytherotor
diameter

Q=volumeflowratethroughthemachine

L3T1

N=rotationalspeed(rev/min.)

T1

H = difference in head (energy per unit weight)


across the machine. This may be either gained or
given by the fluid depending upon whether the
machineisapumporaturbinerespectively

=densityoffluid
=viscosityoffluid

ML3
ML1T1

E=coefficientofelasticityoffluid

ML1T2

g=accelerationduetogravity

LT2

P = power transferred between fluid and rotor (the


differencebetweenPandHistakencareofbythe
hydraulicefficiency

ML2T3

In almost all fluid machines flow with a free surface does not occur, and the effect of gravitational force is
[Link],itismorelogicaltoconsidertheenergyperunitmassgHas the variable rather than H
alone so that acceleration due to gravity does not appear as a separate variable. Therefore, the number of
separatevariablesbecomeseight:D,Q,N,gH,,,[Link] the number of fundamental dimensions
required to express these variable are three, the number of independent terms (dimensionless terms),
[Link]'stheoremwithD,Nand as the repeating variables, the expression for
thetermsareobtainedas,

[Link]
themachineareproportionaltoD,[Link],theaverageflowvelocityatanysectionin

themachineisproportionalto

.Again,theperipheralvelocityoftherotorisproportionaltotheproduct

[Link]

You might also like