Hydraulic Machines (MENG315)

Q1) Write about the theory of cavitation in centrifugal pumps (its inception, signs,
and how to prevent it?

Cavitation: a phenomenal that occurs centrifugal pumps in when the pressure in the
pump drops below the vapor pressure of the fluid, causing the formation of vapor bubbles
that collapse, leading to damage to the pump.
Signs of cavitation
 Noise and vibration.
 Impeller Vanes pitting and erosion.
 Reduction in flow rate.
 Reduced performance.

To prevent cavitation
 An increase of suction pipe size
 Reduction of suction pipe length
 An increase in the number of vanes in high speed pumps.
 Special materials may be used to reduce the pitting of pump parts.
 The impeller velocities, impeller vane load, and head per stage should be low for
minimum, suction head.

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 Q2) Explain why backward curved blades are more popularly used?
Backward curved impeller:
1. Has a relatively low exit velocity.
2. There is a small amount of kinetic energy to be converted through diffuser.
3. No special design of diffuser is required.
4. Supplies a lower head than the forward impeller type.

Overall, backward blade impellers are more efficient, consume less power, produce
less noise, and are more stable

Q3) What is the different between the forward blade impeller and the backward
blade impeller?
Forward curved impeller
Blades curve in the direction of rotation
Relatively high exit velocity
Major part of the energy gained is kinetic
energy
Requires a very good diffuser to convert
this kinetic energy to pressure energy.
Supplies a higher head
Backward curved impeller
Blades curve against the direction of
rotation.
Relatively low exit velocity
Major part of the energy gained is pressure
energy
does not require any special design of
diffuser
Supplies a lower head

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These answers are ONLY to help MTI Eng. students and not for copying or cheating in any way - @MAA
 Q4) Explain how hydraulic turbines are classified?
1) According to the type of energy at inlet:
 Impulse turbine.
 Reaction turbine.

2) According to the direction of flow through runner:

 Tangential flow turbine.
 Radial flow turbine.
 Axial flow turbine.
 Mixed flow turbine.

3) According to the head at inlet of turbine:

 High head turbine.
 Low head turbine.

4) According to the specific speed of the turbine:

 Low specific speed turbine
 Medium specific speed turbine
 High specific speed turbine.

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These answers are ONLY to help MTI Eng. students and not for copying or cheating in any way - @MAA
 Q5) Explain the pressure and velocity distribution along the centrifugal pump?
The relation between the pressure and velocity is inversely proportional.
Power = P x Q
As the fluid enters the centrifugal pump, the pressure decreases and the velocity increases
due to the impeller's rotation. The impeller then accelerates the fluid, increasing its
velocity even further, while reducing its pressure. The fluid then moves into the volute,
where the high-velocity, low-pressure flow is converted to the exit as a low-velocity,
high-pressure flow.

Q6) Explain " Centrifugal pumps are designed chiefly with respect to the following:
Intake, Stage operation, output and types of impeller.
Intake: single admission or double admission.
Stage operation: single stage or multi stage.
Output: large volume (low head), medium volume (medium head), small volume (large
head).
Impeller: type of vanes, number of blades, housing, etc.

Q6) Draw the centrifugal pump outlet velocity triangles for varying blade outlet
angle.

Q7) Mention with the aid of a neat sketch the classification of the centrifugal pump?

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 Q8) Compare between reaction and Impulse Turbine?
Reaction turbine
1 Only a fraction of the available hydraulic energy is
converted into kinetic energy before the fluid
enters the runner.
2 Both pressure and velocity change as the fluid
passes through the runner.
Pressure at inlet is much higher than at the outlet.
3 The runner must be enclosed within a water-tight
casing (scroll casing).
4 Water is admitted over the entire circumference of
the runner.
5 Water completely fills at the passages between
the blades
and while flowing between inlet and outlet sections
does work on the blades.
6 The turbine is connected to the tail race through a
draft tube
7 The flow regulation is carried out by means of a
guide-vane assembly.
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Impulse turbine
All the available hydraulic energy is converted into
kinetic energy by a nozzle and it is the jet so
produced which strikes the runner blades
It is the velocity of jet which changes,
the pressure throughout remaining atmospheric
Water-tight casing is not necessary.
Water is admitted only in the form of jets.
The turbine does not run full and air has a free
access to the buckets.
The turbine is always installed above the tail race
and there is no draft tube used.
Flow regulation is done by means of a needle valve
fitted into the nozzle