Question

Slip factor in a centrifugal compressor accounts for

• A. Shock losses at inducer
• B. Deviation of actual flow from ideal blade direction at impeller exit
• C. Mechanical losses in bearings
• D. Friction losses in diffuser

Hint:

Slip occurs because of the \[ \boxed{\text{finite number of impeller blades}.} \] Hence, \[ \boxed{ V_{w,\text{actual}} < V_{w,\text{ideal}}, } \] and the slip factor is always less than \(1\).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Recall the meaning of slip. Ideally, the air leaves the impeller exactly along the blade direction. In practice, the flow lags behind the rotating blades because of a finite number of blades.

Step 2: Define the slip factor. The slip factor accounts for the deviation of the actual exit whirl velocity from the ideal value. Thus, \[ \boxed{ \text{Slip factor accounts for the deviation of actual flow from the ideal blade direction at the impeller exit.} } \] Therefore, \[ \boxed{(B)} \] is the correct answer.