the working
fluid enters the chamber through the inlet in the tangential
direction and flows along the surface of the disk through the
disk spacing. The flow path spirals towards the centre orifices,
then exits axially through the outlet. Due to fluid properties of
viscosity and adhesion it adheres to the disks with the no-slip
condition occurring directly adjacent to the disk surface and a
boundary layer velocity gradient forming throughout
theworking medium away from the surface. As fluid slows down
and adds energy to the discs, it spirals to the centre due to
pressure and velocity, where exhaust is. As disks commence
to rotate and their speed increases, fluid now travels in longer
spiral paths because of larger centrifugal force. Fluid used can
be steam or a mixed fluid (products of combustion). Through
this phenomenon, some of the fluid energy is converted to
mechanical work, causing the disks and shaft to rotate.
Openings are cut out at the central portion of the discs and
these communicate directly with exhaust ports formed in the
side of the casing. In a pump, centrifugal force assists in
expulsion of fluid. On the contrary, in a turbine centrifugal
force opposes fluid flow that moves towards centre.