Problem 5.88
An axial flow turbomachine rotor involves the upstream (1) and downstream (2) velocity
triangles shown in the figure below. Is this turbomachine, a turbine or a fan? Sketch an
appropriate blade section and determine energy transferred per unit mass of fluid.
Solution 5.88
We can determine whether the axial flow turbomachine involved is a turbine or a fan by
comparing the direction of the lift force on the rotor blade section with the direction of the
blade velocity, .
If the lift force and the blade velocity are in the same direction, a turbine
Thus, the rotor blade sections sketched below are appropriate.
Since the lift force acting on each rotor blade section is in the same direction as the blade
velocity, we conclude that this turbomachine is a turbine. The energy transferred per unit
mass is the shaft work per unit mass, shaft
w, which we can determine with the equation
U1= 30 ft/s
V1= 20 ft/s
=
60°
U2= 30 ft/s
W1
W1W2
1
W2
Lift
60°