Kristin asked 1 year ago
What is the more common term for an energy- producing turbomachine? How about an energy-absorbing turbomachine? Explain this terminology. In particular, from which frame of reference are these terms defined—that of the fluid or that of the surroundings?
MG answered 1 year ago
Step 1 of 2
Turbine is the term most commonly used for an energy producing turbomachine and pump is the term commonly used for an energy absorbing turbomachine.
Turbine is a machine that extracts energy from the moving fluid and converts into useful mechanical energy in the surroundings in the form of rotating shafts. In the frame of reference of fluid for energy producing devices the fluid loses energy as it drives the turbine.
Step 2 of 2
Pump is a machine that absorbs energy from the surroundings, usually in the form of a rotating shaft and increases the energy of the moving fluid. In the frame of reference of fluid for energy absorbing devices the fluid gains or absorbs energy as it flows through the pump.
Therefore, from the frame of reference of the surroundings, a pump absorbs from the surroundings while a turbine produces energy to the turbine.