A METHOD OF COMPUTER CALCULATION OF AXIAL THRUST AND INTERNAL LEAKAGE IN CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

A simple method of calculation of radial pressure distribution on a disc rotating in a casing and then the axial thrust in centrifugal pumps is presented. The method is based on integral relations and allows to estimate rapidly the axial thrust value with accuracy sufficient for technical applications (the error less than 15%). The method allows to compute simultaneously Internal leakage losses in centrifugal pumps. The presented method may also be useful for the calculation of the pressure distribution and the axial thrust in other rotating machines, such as compressors, gas turbines, water turbines, hydraulic torque convertors and paper-pulp mills.