What is the difference between a rigid and a flexible

rotor?

Rigid rotor: A rigid rotor has minimal bending or distortion

due to its stiffness and rigidity. This is determined when the
component is rotated at low speeds or below the critical
operating speeds. For a rigid rotor, the shaft deflection is very
small, the mass inertia forces are small and the majority of
centrifugal force energy is counteracted by bearing deflection.
The bearing vibration is usually large and can be rectified by
using normal balancing methods.
Flexible rotor:
A flexible rotor is a component or machine that has significant
bending during operation. This bending can be seen when
there is a change in speed. The change in speed affects the
centrifugal force, causing bending and twist effects to occur.
These conditions are found more in components where the
length to diameter ratio is at its extreme and the component is
running at critical/operating speed.

Examples of flexible rotors are: paper machine rollers, high

speed turbines,. generators and multi-stage pumps.
Pumping Heads:
Total Head: The “Total Head” is the total capacity for work at any point per unit mass
of the liquid being handled.
Gross Total Head = Potential Head + Kinetic Head + Losses
Potential Head: MgH
Where M = mass in kg, H = its height in meters and g = 9.81 m/s2

Kinetic Head: Kinetic Head or Velocity head is the equivalent static water column of
the moving liquid
Kineic Head = v2/2g where V = Velocity of water in pipe in m/s, g = Acceleration due
to gravity ( 9.81m/s2)

Frictional Head: This is the frictional loss expressed as the head of an equivalent
water column . Frictional loss is unavoidable. It is more pronounced when it flows
through Valves, Bends etc.
Some facts about frictional loss:
It is independent of the pressure of water for practical purposes.
It depends upon flow. If the flow is doubled the loss will increase to four times.
The loss increases as condition of the internal surface deteriorates.
The loss is directly proportional to the length of the pipe line.
It is inversely proportional to the diameter of the pipe
An approximate Value of the head loss is given by the expression:
Hf = 2flV2/gD
Where: hf = The frictional head loss in meters
F = a coefficient that depends upon pipe internal surface
V = Mean Velocity in m/s
L = Pipe length in meters
D = Pipe diameter in meters
NPSH avl =
(P-Pv) ΔP V2
--------X104 - ----X104 -- -- +Z
Ρ ρ 2g

NPSH is always measured over vapour pressure.

WHP = QHƳ/75 Where Q = m3/sec and H = meters and Ƴ = kg/m3
1HP = 75 kgm/sec and 1kw = 102 kgm/sec

Q α n Qα D

H α n2 H α D2

P α n3 P α D3

Ns = n √ Q
--------
H3/4

30 – 290 Radial impeller

290 – 440 Mixed flow impeller
440 – 1000 axial flow impeller
Recirculation System: the permissible rise in temperature ( Δ t) from suction to
discharge in case of Boiler feed pumps type KHI is 10 to 12 0 C, which occurs if the flow
through the pump is reduced below 100t/hr. The temperature rise is given by the
relation
860 N ( 1 - Ƞ )
Δ t = -------------------
1000 Q

Where , Q = Minimum recirculation flow the pump in m3/hr

N = Input Power ( In KW ) to the pump at flow of Q
Ƞ = Efficiency of Pump at Q

To safe guard the pump for flow below 100t/hr a by-pas is taken to deaerator from the
main discharge or to the suction of the pump. The flow through the pump in the open
condition of the re-circulation valve is the sum of flow to the boiler drum and flow to the
re-circulation line The minimum flow of 15 to 22 % of normal flow is ensured by suitably
placing a control valve in the re-circulation line. When the flow through the discharge
line drops to 18% of the normal flow a flow meter located in the discharge line gives
impulses for the opening of the re-circulation valve and once the flow trough the
discharge line increases and to the 22% re-circulation valve closes on second impulse.