ME 431

Introduction to Turbomachinery
Homework 1 Solutions

1) Air is expanded in a multi stage axial flow turbine, the pressure drop across each stage being very
small. Assuming that air behaves as a perfect gas with ratio of specific heats γ, derive pressure–
temperature relationships for the following processes:
(i) reversible adiabatic expansion;
(ii) irreversible adiabatic expansion, with small stage efficiency ηp;
(iii) reversible expansion in which the heat loss in each stage is a constant fraction k of the enthalpy
drop in that stage;
Sketch the these processes on a T, s diagram. If the entry temperature is 1000 K and the pressure ratio
across the turbine is 5 to 1, calculate the exhaust temperatures in each of the three cases. Assume that γ
is 1.333, that ηp = 0.9, and that k = 0.15.

SOLUTION:
(i) Reversible + adiabatic = isentropic
γ
Using isentropic relations p=C 1 T γ −1

(ii) With small stage (polytropic) efficiency

γ ηp

p=C 2 T γ −1

(iii) For a reversible non adiabatic process:

RT
T ds=δ Qrev =dh−vdp => −k dh=dh−vdp => (1+k ) dh=vdp => (1+k )Cp dT = dp
p
γ (1 +k)
γR γ dT dp
Since Cp= => (1+k ) = => p=C 3 T γ −1
γ−1 γ −1 T p

p2
T 1 =1000 K =5 Then,
p1
γ−1 0.333
T2 p2
(i)
T1 ( )
=
p1
γ

γ−1
=5 1.333

0.333
=1.4949 => T 2 =1494.9 K

T2 p2
(ii)
T1 ( )
=
p1
γ ηp

γ −1
=5 (1.333)(0.9 ) =1.5631 => T 2 =1563.1 K
0.333
T2 p2
(iii)
T1
=
( )
p1
γ (1+k)
=5(1.333)(1.15) =1.4185 => T 2 =1418.5 K

2) An axial flow air compressor is designed to provide an overall total pressure ratio of 8. At inlet and
outlet the stagnation temperatures are 300 K and 590 K, respectively. Determine the overall total-to-
total efficiency and the polytropic efficiency for the compressor. Assume that γ = 1.4.
SOLUTION:
 T 03 s
−1 γ −1 0.4
h03 s−h 01 T 03 s−T 01 T 01 T 03 s p03
ηtt = =
h 03−h01 T 03−T 01 T 03
=
−1
For isentropic process
T 01 ( )
=
p01
γ 1.4
=( 8 ) =1.8115

T 01
1.8115−1
Then ηtt = =0.84
590 K
−1
300 K
T 03
γ −1
p 03 γ η T 03 γ−1 p03
T 01
=1.9667=
( )p 01
p
=> ln
( ) T 01
= γ η ln
p ( )p01
=>

p 03

ηp = γ
γ −1
ln ( )
p 01
=
0.4 ln( 8)
=0.8784
T 03 1.4 ln (1.9667)
ln
( )
T 01

3) A fan operating at 1750 rpm at a volume flow rate of 4.5 m3/s develops a head of 150 mm
measured on a water-filled U-tube manometer. It is required to build a larger, geometrically similar fan
that will deliver the same head at the same efficiency as the existing fan but at a speed of 1440 rpm.
Calculate the volume flow rate of the larger fan.
SOLUTION:
For a fan head coefficient and efficiency are functions of the flow coefficient. If the efficiencies are
going to be same then both fans should have the same flow coefficient;
3
Q1 Q2 Q1 1750 rpm D 2
3
=
N 1 D1 N 2 D2
3
=> Q 2= 3
N 1 D1
3 3
N 2 D 2=4.5 m / s
1440 rpm D 1 ( )
At the same flow coefficient, the head coefficients will also be same:
gH 1 gH 2
= Since H 1=H 2 (given)
( N 1 D 1) ( N 2 D2 )2
2

D 2 N 1 1750 rpm
= =
D 1 N 2 1440 rpm
(1750 rpm)4
=> Q2=4.5 m3 / s 4
=9.8155 m3 / s
(1440 rpm)

4) An axial flow fan 1.80 m diameter is designed to run at a speed of 1400 rpm with an average axial
air velocity of 12.2 m/s. A quarter scale model has been built to obtain a check on the design and the
rotational speed of the model fan is 4500 rpm. Determine the axial air velocity of the model so that
dynamical similarity with the full-scale fan is preserved. The effects of Reynolds number change may
be neglected. Assume that the prototype fan will operate at atmospheric conditions. At what pressure
must the model be tested?
SOLUTION:
For dynamic similarity the flow coefficients must be same
(12.2 m/s)( π D 1) (V 2 )( π D2 )
2 2
Q1 Q2 4 4
3
= 3
=> = Also D 2=0.25 D1
N 1 D1 N 2 D2 ( 1400rpm) D31 (4500rpm)D 32
(12.2 m/s) (V 2)
= => V 2=9.81 m/ s
(1400 rpm) ( 4500 rpm)(0.25)
When the Reynolds number effects are neglected, the model can be tested at any pressure.

5) A water pump has an impeller diameter of 56 mm. When tested at a speed of 4500 rpm the head–
volume flow rate characteristic produced can be approximated by the equation; H = 8.6 – 5.6Q2. Derive
a stage loading coefficient vs. flow coefficient relation for all geometrically similar pumps. Neglect
Reynolds number and cavitation effects.

ψ ( ND)2
2 3 2 8.6 g 2 4
H=8.6−5.6 Q => =8.6−5.6( ϕ N D ) => ψ= −5.6 ( ϕ g D )
g ( ND) 2

2
N=4500 rpm , D=0.056 m , g=9.81m/s

ψ=1.3285 x 10−3 −5.4027 x 10−3 ϕ 2