Fluid Machinery

Positive Displacement
Working fluid is confined
within a boundary.

Energy transfer is by volume

changes due to the
movement of the
boundary.

Dynamic
Working fluid is not confine
within a boundary.
Energy transfer is by dynamic
effects of the rotor on
the fluid stream.

* Radial-Flow - Also called Centrifugal.

- Radial flow path.

- Large change in radius from inlet to outlet.
* Axial-Flow
- Flow path nearly parallel to the axis of rotation.
- Radius of the flow path does not very significantly.
* Mixed-Flow
- Flow path radius changes only moderately.

Axial and Radial Flow Turbines

Radial
(Centrifugal)

Axial

Used for small engines

Used for large engines

Small mass flow rates

Large mass flow rates

Lower efficiencies

Better efficiencies

Cheap

Expensive

Easy to manufacture

Difficult to manufacture

Most of the gas turbines employ the axial flow turbines.

The radial turbine can handle low mass flows more efficiently than
the axial flow machines.

Axial vs. Radial Machines

Need to determine what type of turbine is most efficient for application

- function of Ns for both compressors and turbine