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WORLD PUMPS March 2011
in contrast showed flow acceleration
across the rotor, resulting in greater insta-
bilities of the characteristics.
The analysis of the internal hydraulic
behaviour of these blade shapes during
turbine operation has been startling. For
both shapes it has been clearly seen that
the turbine blade would be subject to a
considerable degree of incidence effect
problems as well as fluid deflection,
leading to a higher profile loss coefficient.
However, the study of the backward
curved turbine impeller also established
that the hydraulics would become altered
to such an extent as to take the turbine
into the energy-consumption (input
Figure 4. Behaviour of the H-Q line in backward curved turbine impellers.
https://www.tarjomano.com/order
torque supply) zone, meaning that its
turbine mode operation would be highly
counterproductive.
It was concluded beyond doubt that
forward curved rather than backward
curved impellers should be selected for
turbine operation. However, we would in
no way recommend a halt to the further
investigation of backward curved impel-
lers for turbine applications, especially of
the interesting effects of incidence and
deflection and the power-consuming
mode of operation. Such a study would in
any case be integral to building the four-
quadrant analysis of both backward and
forward curved impellers.
Feature 41
The main recommendations from both
parts of the current study are summarized
below.
a) There is a strong case for experimental
study particularly focusing on the internal
hydraulics of both impeller shapes,
especially in turbine mode since turbine
hydraulics is yet to be precisely docu-
mented. The experimental work should
also include cascade studies.
b) The theoretical model needs to be
made foolproof by standardizing the
behaviour of these blade shapes for both
pump and turbine applications.
c) A programme should be initiated to
develop the four-quadrant characteristics
of all types of axial flow impellers.
d) The survey of the impellers could be
enhanced and also extended to other
types of turbomachines such as fans and
compressors. ■
References
[1] P. Singh and F. Nestmann, ‘Axial flow
impeller shapes: part 1’, World Pumps, No.
533, pp. 32–35, (2011).
[2] A.J. Stepanoff, Centrifugal and Axial Flow
Pumps, John Wiley & Sons Inc, Ch. 8 and
16, (1957).
[3] D.G. Ainley, ‘Performance of Axial Flow
Turbines’, Proc. Institution Mechanical Engi-
neers, 159, pp. 230–244, (1948).
[4] T.H. Okiishi, M.J. Miller, P. Kavanagh
and G.K. Serovy, ‘Axial-flow pump: blade-
element loss and deviation angle predic-
tion’, International J. Mechanical Sciences, 17
(10), pp. 633–641, (1975).
Contact
Punit Singh (postdoctoral researcher) and Franz
Nestmann (director)
Institute for Water and River Basin Management (IWG)
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
Kaiser Str. 12, Karlsruhe D-76131, Germany
Tel: +49 721 608 2194
Fax: +49 721 608 606 026
Email: punit.singh@iwg.uka.de and nestmann@iwg.uka.de
Acknowledgements
The authors are indebted to their industry
partners KSB AG both in Germany and
India for their support. The contribution of
the research staff and workshop of the
Institute of Water and River Basin
Management at the Karlsruhe Institute of
Technology is also acknowledged.
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