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Dimensional Analysis of Pump and Fan Efficiency

The document presents dimensional analysis solutions for two problems: the discharge of a centrifugal pump and the efficiency of a fan. For the pump, it establishes a relationship showing that discharge Q is a function of fluid density, pump speed, impeller diameter, manometric head, and viscosity. For the fan, it derives a dimensionless relation for efficiency based on discharge, dynamic viscosity, angular velocity, and diameter.

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Maxwell Acquah
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17 views2 pages

Dimensional Analysis of Pump and Fan Efficiency

The document presents dimensional analysis solutions for two problems: the discharge of a centrifugal pump and the efficiency of a fan. For the pump, it establishes a relationship showing that discharge Q is a function of fluid density, pump speed, impeller diameter, manometric head, and viscosity. For the fan, it derives a dimensionless relation for efficiency based on discharge, dynamic viscosity, angular velocity, and diameter.

Uploaded by

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

Dimensional Analysis Solutions

Problem 1: Discharge Q of a Centrifugal Pump


Given:
Discharge Q depends on:
- ρ = fluid density [ML⁻³]
- N = pump speed [T⁻¹]
- D = impeller diameter [L]
- Hₘ = manometric head [L]
- μ = viscosity [ML⁻¹T⁻¹]

We want to show that Q = f(ρ, N, D, Hₘ, μ) using dimensional analysis.

Step 1: Count Variables


Variables: 6 (Q, ρ, N, D, Hₘ, μ)
Fundamental dimensions: 3 (M, L, T)
=> Number of π terms = 6 - 3 = 3

Step 2: Choose Repeating Variables


Choose repeating variables: ρ [ML⁻³], N [T⁻¹], D [L]

Step 3: Form Dimensionless Groups


Π₁ = Q * ρ^a * N^b * D^c

Dimensions:
Q = [L³T⁻¹], ρ = [ML⁻³], N = [T⁻¹], D = [L]
Π₁ = [L³T⁻¹] * [M^a L^(-3a)] * [T^(-b)] * [L^c]
= M^a L^(3 - 3a + c) T^(-1 - b)

Set dimensions to be dimensionless:


M: a = 0
L: 3 - 3a + c = 0 → c = -3
T: -1 - b = 0 → b = -1
So, Π₁ = Q / (N D³)

Π₂ = Hₘ * ρ^a * N^b * D^c

Dimensions:
Hₘ = [L]
Π₂ = [L] * [M^a L^(-3a)] * [T^(-b)] * [L^c] = M^a L^(1 - 3a + c) T^(-b)
Set dimensions to be dimensionless:
M: a = 0
L: 1 + c = 0 → c = -1
T: -b = 0 → b = 0
So, Π₂ = Hₘ / D

Π₃ = μ * ρ^a * N^b * D^c

Dimensions:
μ = [ML⁻¹T⁻¹]
Π₃ = [ML⁻¹T⁻¹] * [M^a L^(-3a)] * [T^(-b)] * [L^c] = M^(1+a) L^(-1 - 3a + c) T^(-1 - b)
Set dimensions to be dimensionless:
M: 1 + a = 0 → a = -1
L: -1 - 3a + c = 0 → c = -2
T: -1 - b = 0 → b = -1
So, Π₃ = μ / (ρ N D²)

Final Relation
Q / (N D³) = f(Hₘ / D, μ / (ρ N D²))

Problem 2: Efficiency η of a Fan


Given:
Efficiency η depends on:
- ρ = density [ML⁻³]
- μ = dynamic viscosity [ML⁻¹T⁻¹]
- ω = angular velocity [T⁻¹]
- D = diameter [L]
- Q = discharge [L³T⁻¹]

Using dimensional analysis, we derive the following dimensionless relation:

η = f(Q / (ω D³), μ / (ρ ω D²))

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