Design and Operation of Aeration Test Stand for Testing Turborotors of High Specific Speed

Abstract

The outside shroud surfaces of hydraulic turborotors, such as turbines, pumps, and pump-turbines are subjected to parasitic fluid drag by the liquid in the band and crown chambers. If air is injected into the shroud chambers, displacing the liquid there, the shroud friction diminishes. To study the flow mechanisms required to maintain the air economically in the band chambers of high-specific-speed turborotors, the test stand described herein was designed and operated in the laboratories with which the two authors are associated.