CE 43003: Hydraulic Engineering

Topic 2: Fluid Machinery

2.1 Types of Fluid Machinery and Classification

Energy exists in various forms.

Hydraulic energy: Possessed by fluid. It may be in the form of kinetic, pressure, potential, strain or
thermal energy

Mechanical energy: associated with moving of rotating parts of machines, usually transmitting
power

Hydraulic machines: Purpose of hydraulic machines is to transform energy either from mechanical
to hydraulic or hydraulic to mechanical.

Hydraulic Hydraulic Machines Mechanical

Energy Energy

Classification based on direction of energy transfer

Hydraulic machines are grouped into two distinct categories based on the direction of energy
transfer.

1. Turbines or Motors:
Machines in which hydraulic energy form the input, and is transformed into mechanical
energy. The output is in the form of a rotating shaft of moving part of a machine. Thus, in
turbines or motors, work is done by the fluid and energy is subtracted from it.

Hydraulic Turbines or Motors Mechanical

Energy Energy

2. Pumps, Fans and Compressors:

Machines in which mechanical energy form the input, and is transformed into hydraulic
energy. The output is in the form of a moving fluid (sometimes, compressed and at
elevated temperature). Thus, in pumps, fans and compressors, works is done on the fluid
and energy is added to it.

Hydraulic Pumps, Fans or Mechanical

Energy Compressors Energy

Eng. M.C.Riyas, Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering | CE 43003: Hydraulic Engineering 1

Classification based on principles of machine operation

Irrespective of the direction of fluid flow, hydraulic machines can be grouped into two categories
based on the principles of machine operation.

1. Positive displacement machines:

In positive displacement machines, fluid is drawn or forced into a finite space bounded by
mechanical parts, sealed in it by some mechanical means, then forced out or allowed to
flow out from the space. This cycle is repeated. Therefore, in positive displacement
machines, the fluid flow is intermittent or fluctuating. The flow rate of the fluid is governed
by the size of the space in the machine and by the frequency with which it is filled and
emptied.

Outlet

Space Space

Inlet

2. Rotodynamic machines:
In rotodynamic machines, fluid flows freely and continuously between the inlet and outlet
of the machine without any intermittent sealing. All rotodynamic machines have a rotating
part called a runner, impeller or rotor, which is able to rotate continuously and freely in the
fluied, allowing an uninterrupted flow of fluid through it.

Eng. M.C.Riyas, Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering | CE 43003: Hydraulic Engineering 2

Overall Classification of hydraulic machines

Fluid used as Energy subtracted from the

Energy added to fluid
means of fluid
(Work done on the fluid)
energy transfer (Work done by the fluid)
Rotodynamic
Machines
Positive Displacement
Machines

Eng. M.C.Riyas, Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering | CE 43003: Hydraulic Engineering 3

 2.2 Rotodynamic Pumps

All rotodynamic pumps have a rotating part called the impeller, through which the fluid flow is
continuous. Energy is continuously imparted to the pumped fluid by means of rotating impeller
which is driven by a motor. These pumps transfer mechanical energy to the fluid primarily by
increasing the fluid kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is then converted into potential energy
(pressure) in the discharge collector.

Based on the direction of fluid flow in relation to the plane of impeller rotation, rotodynamic
pumps can be grouped into three catagories; axial flow, centrifugal or mixed flow pumps.

Axial flow pumps

In axial flow pumps, fluid flow is perpendicular to the impeller and, hence, along its axis of rotation.

An axial flow pump has a propeller-type of impeller running in a casing. The fluid is pushed in a
direction parallel to the shaft of the impeller, that is, fluid particles, in course of their flow through
the pump, do not change their radial locations. It allows the fluid to enter the impeller axially and
discharge the fluid nearly axially.

Eng. M.C.Riyas, Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering | CE 43003: Hydraulic Engineering 4

Centrifugal pumps

In centrifugal pumps, fluid approaches the impeller axially, and turns at the pump’s inlet so that
the flow through the impeller is in the plane of the impeller rotation (radial flow). The fluid enters
the pump impeller along or near to the rotating axis and is accelerated by the impeller, flowing
radially outward into a diffuser or volute chamber (casing), from which it exits. Centrifugal pumps
are the most common rotodynamic pump used today because they serve a wide range of
applications and have a long history of safe and reliable operation.

Eng. M.C.Riyas, Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering | CE 43003: Hydraulic Engineering 5

Mixed flow pumps

In mixed flow pumps, flow through the impeller is partially axial and partially radial. It should be
noted that the hub of the impeller is conical, thus the direction of flow leaving the impeller is
somewhere between the axial and radial.
The impellers of mixed flow pumps with a low specific speed are combined with an annular or
volute casing; those of mixed flow pumps with a higher specific speed are combined with a
diffuser and a tubular casing.

Eng. M.C.Riyas, Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering | CE 43003: Hydraulic Engineering 6