Radial Equilibrium Theory

P M V Subbarao
Professor
Mechanical Engineering Department
Long Blades are more complex in shape .
Geometrical Details along Radial Direction
True flow through a turbo-machinery is three-dimensional.
The effect of the strong centrifugal forces are exerted by/on
blades in radial direction.
The centrifugal field distorts the flow velocity profiles
considerably.
Fluid particles tend to move outwards rather than passing
along cylindrical stream surfaces as classically assumed.
Particularly in low hub: tip ratio designs.
An approach known as the radial equilibrium method, widely
used for three-dimensional design calculations.
Radial Variation Blade Geometry
Radial Equilibrium Theory
Assumes that flow is in radial equilibrium before and after
a blade row.
Radial adjustment takes place through the row.
More important for Axial Flow Machines.
Radial Equilibrium Analysis
The centrifugal force = (rdrdu)e
2
r

V
u
= re

The centrifugal force is
The pressure force on the element
u
u
drd V F
l centrifuga
2
=
u rdpd F
pressure
=
If the two forces are the only ones acting (viscous and
other effects neglected), the particle will move at
constant radius if:
l centrifuga pressure
F F =
r
V
dr
dp
2
u
=
r
dr
V
dp
2
u

=
Radial Equilibrium Analysis of Compressible
Machines
An equivalent equation for compressible flow can be
developed by using the following thermodynamic relation:
0 = = =

dp
dh vdp dh Tds

dp
dh =
2 2 2 2
2 2
2 2
0
u
V V
V
h
V
h h
r
f
+ + + = + =

r
dr
V
dp
2
u

=
0
2 2 2
2 2
2
0
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + + =
u
V V
V
h d dh
r
f
No Interactions: Conservation of Stagnation Enthalpy

dp
dh =
0
2 2 2
2 2
2
2
0
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + + =
u
u
V V
V
d
r
dr
V dh
r
f
0
2 2 2
2 2
2
2
0
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ + + =
u u
V V
V
dr
d
r
V
dr
dh
r
f
0
2
0
= + + + =
dr
dV
V
dr
dV
V
dr
dV
V
r
V
dr
dh
r
r
f
f
u
u
u
Radial component of velocity should be constant (zero)
along radial direction for radial equilibrium of flow
0
2
0
= + + =
dr
dV
V
dr
dV
V
r
V
dr
dh
f
f
u
u
u
( )
( )
0
2
1
2
0
0
= + = =
dr
rV d
r
V
dr
dV
dr
dh
dr
T c d
f p
u u
For inert Gas
( )
0
2
1
2
0
= + =
dr
rV d
r
V
dr
dV
dr
dT
c
f
p
u u
0
0
0
0
1 T
dT
p
dp

For an isentropic process:

( )
0
2
1 1
2
0
0
0
= + =
|
|
.
|

\
|
|
|
.
|

\
|
dr
rV d
r
V
dr
dV
dr
dp
p
T
c
x
p
u u

( )
0
1
0
= + =
dr
rV d
r
V
dr
dV
V
dr
dp
x
x
u u

Radial Equilibrium Equation for

Incompressible Fluid Machine
gz U V h
U
h I Rothalpy
blade
blade
rel
+ = =
u 0
2
, 0
2
:
Constant in a turbo-machine along meridonial Plane
( )
( )
0
2
1
2
0
0
= + = =
dr
rV d
r
V
dr
dV
dr
dh
dr
T c d
f p
u u
Stagnation enthalpy is Constant in a turbo-machine
along radial direction at intake and discharge.
Lessons from Nature
In the case of a vortex, the flow field is purely tangential.
z i i W ln
2t
|
I
= + =
The complex potential function:
THE VORTEX
Free Vortex Whirl:

Forced Vortex Whirl :

General Rules for Selection of Whirl Component
r
C
V =
u
constant =
f
V
r C V =
u
2
2 1
C r C V
f
=
( )
0 =
c
c

c
c
u
u
f
V
r
rV
Twisted Blades for Large Turbines
Radial Variation of Flow Velocity
100
120
140
160
180
200
220
240
260
280
300
0.75 0.85 0.95 1.05 1.15 1.25
F
l
o
w

v
e
l
o
c
i
t
i
e
s
(
m
/
s
)

Radius ( in m)
Intake
Discharge
Radial Variation of Whirl Velocity
-100
0
100
200
300
400
500
0.75 0.85 0.95 1.05 1.15 1.25
w
h
i
r
l

v
e
l
o
c
i
t
i
e
s
(
m
/
s
)

Radius ( in m)
Intake
Discharge
Radial Variation of Mass flow rate
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
0.750 0.850 0.950 1.050 1.150 1.250
m
a
s
s

f
o
w

r
a
t
e

Radius ( in m)
Intake
Discharge
Kaplan Turbine
DESIGN OF THE BLADE
Two different views of a blade
90% or better in
efficiency