ASSIGNMENT 2

Question 1
The manufacturers performance test on a centrifugal pump running at a speed of 2900 rev/min
gives the following results:
Q (m3/s)
H (m)
(%)

0
178
50

0.158
169
60

0.316
150
70

0.476
114,5
75

0.634
61
65

The pump is to deliver water through 160 metres of 300 mm diameter piping with an friction
factor f = 0.006. The total static head is 72 metres. Neglecting all secondary friction head losses
and the velocity head, determine by using accurate graphs:
1.1 The operating point for the system and the efficiency at that point
1.2 The power absorbed by the unit

(15)
(5)
[20]

The student must recognise that the system head curve Hsys comprises of 3 items,
namely the static head Hstat, the friction head Hf, and the velocity or dynamic head Hv. The
friction head Hf is made up of the minor (fitting losses) and major (pipe friction) losses.

Now we calculate or determine each of the heads.

Now we set up a table to plot the system curve, for convenience, we will calculate H sys at the
same Q values as that given in the table but we can easily do that for any other Q values as
long as the range is equal to or larger than that given.
We will also add the values to the given table for easy reference and plotting later.

Q (m3/s)

0.158

0.316

0.476

0.634

H (m)

178

169

150

114.5

61

(%)

50

60

70

75

65

Hsys (m)

72

92.630

113.260

134.152

154.782

Now we can plot the curves.

And extract the required values.

1.1
Operating point (Q , H) (0.43 , 125)
Operating efficiency 78% (close to max efficiency)
1.2

Question 2
Two water tanks A and B with constant cross-sectional areas of 7.5 m2 and 3.7 m2 respectively
are connected by a 75 mm pipe, 120 m long, for which the friction coefficient is 0.01. Taking
only frictional resistance into account, find the time taken for 2.2 m 3 of water to flow from A to B
if the initial difference in levels was 2 m.
[15]
This question is very similar to question 2 but it adds in an additional concept of time for
a certain amount of water to flow between the pipes.
The derivation of the equation for the time needed for the flow between two tanks can be found
in the prescribed text (Application of Fluid Mechanics Part 1, by C.F. Meyer.)
Since the question asks for the time needed for 2.22 m 3 of water to flow from tank A to B, it
implies tank A has more water and the original difference is 2 m, as specified.
The student must recall the equation, as derived in Application of Fluid Mechanics Part 1
by C.F. Meyer. Derivation is not expected especially if this was an exam question.

Now we should calculate or extract the parameter values for the above equation:
A1 = 7.4 m2
A2 = 3.7 m2
dpipe = 0.075 m
K = 0

(Since the question states taking only frictional resistance into account)

g = 9.81 m2/s
f = 0.01
Lpipe = 120 m
H1 = 1.8
Now we do not know what H2 but we can easily calculate it from the required volume change in
both tanks.

Now we substitute the parameters values into the above equation for time,

Question 3
A steel pipe 150 mm in diameter and wall thickness 8 mm is 350 m long. Water flows in the pipe
at a velocity of 2 m/s. A valve is used to control the flow rate or to totally shut off the system.
Determine the critical period of the pipe
[10]

Question 4
A cylindrical container has a diameter of 1.2 m and is open at the top. The container is rotated
about its vertical axis. The container has a depth of 2 m and is filled with water before
rotating. Determine if water will be spilt from the container if it is rotated at 65 RPM.
Hint: the volume of a paraboloid is half the volume of the enclosing cylinder.
[15]

Now we calculate or extract the required parameters

r = 0.6 m
g = 9.81 m/s2

Here the student must recall that the volume of a paraboloid is half the volume of the
enclosing cylinder.

Since the original volume of water is less than the volume of the paraboloid and volume,
therefore there is no spillage.