Turbomachinery Course

Lesson 1 • Dimensional Analysis and Similarity

Introduces dimensionless parameters that govern turbomachine performance scaling. Enables performance prediction across different operating conditions and machine sizes.

Lesson 2 • Classification of Turbomachines

Categorises machines by energy transfer direction, fluid type, and flow path geometry. Provides a systematic framework for comparing compressors, turbines, and pumps.

Lesson 3 • Introduction to Turbomachinery

Defines turbomachinery and its role in energy conversion across industries. Establishes vocabulary and classification framework used throughout the course.

Lesson 4 • Thermodynamic Foundations

Applies the first and second laws of thermodynamics to open systems with rotating components. Links enthalpy change and entropy generation to machine performance.

Lesson 1 • Constructing Velocity Triangles

Develops inlet and outlet velocity triangles for axial and radial blade rows. Provides a graphical and algebraic method for determining flow angles and velocity magnitudes.

Lesson 2 • Ideal and Actual Work Analysis

Compares ideal Euler work with actual work by introducing slip and losses. Quantifies the gap between theoretical and real performance using efficiency definitions.

Lesson 3 • Reference Frames in Rotating Machinery

Distinguishes absolute and relative frames of reference for fluid motion in blade passages. Establishes the coordinate system used in all subsequent velocity triangle analyses.

Lesson 4 • Velocity Triangle Design Practice

Applies velocity triangle methods to design problems for compressors, pumps, and turbines. Reinforces Euler equation use through structured numerical exercises.

Lesson 1 • Axial Compressor Stage Geometry

Describes rotor and stator blade geometry, chord, camber, and solidity for axial stages. Establishes geometric parameters that govern aerodynamic loading and flow turning.

Lesson 2 • Compressor Performance Maps

Interprets compressor maps showing pressure ratio, mass flow, and efficiency contours. Identifies operating lines, design points, and off-design behaviour.

Lesson 3 • Stall and Surge Phenomena

Explains rotating stall and surge as aerodynamic instabilities limiting compressor operation. Covers detection methods and design strategies to extend the stable operating range.

Lesson 4 • Multistage Axial Compressor Analysis

Extends single-stage analysis to multistage machines with interstage matching requirements. Addresses stage stacking, work distribution, and overall pressure ratio prediction.

Lesson 1 • Centrifugal Machine Geometry and Components

Identifies impeller, diffuser, volute, and inlet guide vane geometry for radial machines. Establishes how each component contributes to pressure rise and flow guidance.

Lesson 2 • Impeller Aerodynamics and Work Input

Applies Euler equation and slip factor to predict work input and pressure rise in impellers. Quantifies the effect of blade exit angle on head and efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Centrifugal Pump Characteristics

Develops head-flow and power-flow curves for centrifugal pumps and interprets system curves. Covers pump selection, parallel and series operation, and cavitation avoidance.

Lesson 4 • Diffuser and Volute Performance

Analyses pressure recovery in vaneless and vaned diffusers and in the volute. Connects diffuser geometry to overall stage efficiency and surge margin.

Lesson 1 • Profile and Friction Losses

Quantifies boundary layer growth, wake mixing, and friction losses on blade surfaces. Applies established loss correlations to estimate profile loss coefficients.

Lesson 2 • Cascade Aerodynamics

Analyses flow through linear and annular blade cascades to determine turning, lift, and drag. Connects cascade test data to stage performance prediction.

Lesson 3 • Airfoil Geometry and Nomenclature

Defines chord, camber line, thickness distribution, and leading/trailing edge geometry for turbomachinery airfoils. Establishes the geometric vocabulary needed for blade design and analysis.

Lesson 4 • Secondary Flow and Endwall Losses

Identifies passage vortex, horseshoe vortex, and corner separation as secondary loss sources. Quantifies endwall loss contributions to overall stage efficiency.

Lesson 1 • Steam and Gas Turbine Thermodynamics

Applies the Rankine and Brayton cycle frameworks to multistage steam and gas turbines. Evaluates reheat, partial admission, and cooling effects on overall efficiency.

Lesson 2 • Radial Inflow Turbine Analysis

Analyses the scroll, nozzle, rotor, and diffuser of radial inflow turbines for turbocharger and power applications. Computes specific work and efficiency from velocity triangles.

Lesson 3 • Turbine Stage Types and Configurations

Distinguishes impulse and reaction turbine stages by pressure drop distribution across rotor and stator. Introduces axial, radial inflow, and mixed-flow turbine configurations.

Lesson 4 • Hydraulic Turbines: Pelton, Francis, Kaplan

Covers the operating principles, velocity triangles, and performance curves of the three main hydraulic turbine types. Matches turbine selection to site head and flow conditions.

Lesson 1 • Surge and Stall Detection in Testing

Identifies surge and rotating stall signatures in pressure and flow traces during testing. Describes throttling procedures and safety protocols for stability boundary mapping.

Lesson 2 • Test Rig Design and Similarity Conditions

Applies dimensional similarity to design scaled test rigs that replicate full-scale machine behaviour. Ensures Reynolds number, Mach number, and specific speed matching.

Lesson 3 • Instrumentation for Turbomachinery Testing

Covers pressure probes, temperature sensors, flow meters, and torque transducers used in turbomachinery rigs. Addresses probe calibration, placement, and measurement uncertainty.

Lesson 4 • Validation Against Computational Predictions

Compares experimental performance data with computational fluid dynamics predictions to identify model errors. Guides iterative design improvement using test-to-prediction discrepancies.

Lesson 1 • Multidisciplinary Design Optimisation

Applies optimisation algorithms to simultaneously improve aerodynamic, structural, and thermal performance objectives. Introduces surrogate models and Pareto front analysis for design trade-off decisions.

Lesson 2 • Turbine Cooling and Thermal Management

Covers internal convection, film cooling, and thermal barrier coatings used to protect turbine blades at high temperatures. Evaluates cooling effectiveness and its penalty on aerodynamic efficiency.

Lesson 3 • Structural and Mechanical Design Considerations

Addresses centrifugal stress, thermal stress, and vibration constraints that bound aerodynamic design freedom. Introduces Campbell diagrams and Goodman diagrams for fatigue assessment.

Lesson 4 • Transonic and Supersonic Flow in Blading

Analyses shock formation, shock-boundary layer interaction, and wave drag in transonic blade passages. Applies design strategies to minimise shock losses in high-speed stages.