[LAB EXPERIMENT: IMPACT OF A JET] October 2, 2018

INTRODUCTION
Impact of jet is the equipment enables the force developed by a jet of water impinging upon a
stationary object to be measured [1]. The objectives of the experiment are to investigate the reaction
force produced by the impact of a jet water onto various target vanes and to compare between
theoretical force and actual force exerted by the jet [1]. The procedure for this experiment is by
changing different nozzles and target vanes and by put it some weight onto the water jet platform to
measure the effect at different pressure at certain weight [1]. The results gave a different reading
based on the types of target vanes and nozzle that have been used [1]. The smaller diameter of the
nozzle gave a higher velocity and it takes longer times than a bigger diameter plus it has a smaller
flowrate reading [3]. The deflectors used in this experiment can be categorized into three geometries
[3]. Plate, hemisphere and conical deflectors are used for this experiment [1]. Calculated force, F and
the percentage of error will be calculated in this experiment [1]. From here we can conclude that
objectives of the experiment have been achieved [1].

OBJECTIVES
1. To investigate the reaction force produced by the impact of a jet onto various target vanes.
2. To experimentally determine the force required to keep a target at a datum level while it is
subjected to the impact of water jet.
3. To compare between theoretical force and actual force exerted by the jet.

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 [LAB EXPERIMENT: IMPACT OF A JET] October 2, 2018

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
A jet of water is produced from the vertical pipe and go through the nozzle and strikes the vane. The
water that strikes the is deflected to the vane and flow along the surface. The vanes will impinge a
force from the jet. The different are vanes used to study the force exerted from the different surface
and angle. The value of the force exerted by the jet is different when strikes the different types of
vanes (focused on shapes and angle). In the experiment, the flow of the water need to control to
stable the weigh beams by increase or reduce the water flow. The position of the jockey weight also
need to change several times and record the force of the jet on the vane and the flow rate. The only
can be obtained from the experiment is time taken for the water strikes in 5 litres. The force exerted
can be calculate by using specific formula based on the time taken. Based on the Newton 2nd law of
motion, the algebraic sum of external force applied to control volume of fluid in any direction equal
to the rate of change of momentum in that direction. The component of the weight of the fluid and
the forces exerted upon the boundary surface of control volume can be classified as external forces.
Since, the water jet is moving in vertical direction with specific velocity and strikes the vane which is
free, the force will be exerted on the target to move in vertical direction. The external forces include
the component of the weight of the fluid and of the forces exerted externally upon the boundary
surface of control volume.

If a vertical water jet moving with velocity ‘V’ made to strike a target (Vane) which is free, to move in
vertical direction, force will be exerted on the target by the impact of jet.

Applying momentum equation in z- direction, force exerted by the jet on the vane, Fz is given by

F = ρQ (Vzout- VZ in)

For flat plate, Vz out= 0

Fz = ρQ (0-v)

FZ = ρQv

For hemispherical curved plate, vz out= -v, vz in= v

Fz = ρQ [v+ (-v)]

FZ = 2 ρQv

Where Q= Discharge from the nozzle (Calculated by volumetric method)

V= Velocity of jet = (Q/A)

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 [LAB EXPERIMENT: IMPACT OF A JET] October 2, 2018

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
The set up primarily consists of a nozzle through which jet emerges vertically in such a way that it may
be conveniently observed through the transparent cylinder. It strikes the target plate or disc
positioned above it. An arrangement is made for the movement of the plate under the action of the
jet and also because of the weight placed on the loading pan. A scale is provided to carry the plate to
its original position i.e. as before the jet strikes the plate. A collecting tank is utilized to find the actual
discharge and velocity through nozzle. The set up primarily consists of a nozzle through which jet
emerges vertically in such a way that it may be conveniently observed through the transparent
cylinder. It strikes the target plate or disc positioned above it. An arrangement is made for the
movement of the plate under the action of the jet and also because of the weight placed on the loading
pan. A scale is provided to carry the plate to its original position i.e. as before the jet strikes the plate.
A collecting tank is utilized to find the actual discharge and velocity through nozzle.

Fig No. 1 Impact of Jet

Fig No. 2 Impact of Jet

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 [LAB EXPERIMENT: IMPACT OF A JET] October 2, 2018

PROCEDURE
1. The apparatus is levelled, and the lever is set to balance position with the jockey weight at
its zero position.
2. The water is admitted through the bench supply valve.
3. The flow rate is increased to the maximum and the position of the jockey weight which
restores the lever to the balance position is noted. The discharge in the weighing tank is
weighted.
4. Eight readings are taking with roughly equally space position of the jockey weight by
decreasing the flow rate from the bench (The weight of water collected is adjusted to ensure
discharge over 60 seconds).
5. The experiment is repeated using hemispherical cup, conical plate and angled plate in turn.
6. The diameter of the nozzle, the height of the vane above the tip of the nozzle when the lever
is balanced, the distance between the centre of the vane and the pivot of the lever as well as
the jockey weight is all noted.

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 [LAB EXPERIMENT: IMPACT OF A JET] October 2, 2018

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS

Density of water : 1000 kg/m3

Diameter of the nozzle : 10mm

Cross-sectional area of nozzle, A : 78.54 x 10-6 m2

Mass of jockey weight : 0.6kg

θ=30

Distance, m t,s m, kg/s μ, m/s μo, m/s F, N mμo

0.2 15.84 0.316 4.029 3.943 0.167 1.246
0.4 11.88 0.421 5.368 5.304 0.299 2.233
0.6 10.12 0.494 6.299 6.244 0.413 3.085
0.8 9.62 0.52 6.63 6.518 0.458 3.421

θ=90

Distance, m t,s m, kg/s μ, m/s μo, m/s F, N mμo

0.2 15.9 0.314 4.006 3.919 1.231 1.231
0.4 11.88 0.421 5.368 5.304 2.233 2.333
0.6 10.31 0.485 6.184 6.128 2.972 2.972
0.8 9.16 0.546 6.962 6.912 3.774 3.774

θ=120

Distance, m t,s m, kg/s μ, m/s μo, m/s F, N mμo

0.2 17.53 0.285 3.634 3.538 1.512 1.008
0.4 13.5 0.37 4.718 4.645 2.578 1.719
0.6 11.53 0.434 5.534 5.472 3.562 2.375
0.8 10.41 0.48 6.12 6.064 4.366 2.911

θ=180

Distance, m t,s m, kg/s μ, m/s μo, m/s F, N mμo

0.2 18.75 0.267 3.404 3.312 1.763 0.882
0.4 14.94 0.335 4.271 4.19 2.807 1.404
0.6 12.81 0.39 4.973 4.903 3.824 1.912
0.8 11.5 0.435 5.546 5.484 4.771 2.386

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 [LAB EXPERIMENT: IMPACT OF A JET] October 2, 2018

DISCUSSION

The current apparatus is good but can still be improved. Firstly, the mass of the weight beam
should be increased to prevent it from moving during the impact of the water jet. The increase in weight
will make the tally easier to read as the apparatus will not move too much. Next, the apparatus should
be service regularly to make sure it is in the best condition.

If there is an error of jockey weight measurement by 1 g, the value of efficiency will increase
by 2%. Same with the distance from centre of vane to pivot of lever when it is in error by 1 mm, the
value of efficiency will increase by 6%.

When the jet has 10% greater area and 10% slower at the vane, the pressure decreases compared
to the one emerging from the apparatus. This refer to the equation of pressure, P=F/A which is when
the area is increased the pressure decreases. In addition, the force needed to balance the weight beam
decreases compared to the one emerging from the apparatus. As shown from pressure equation, when
the area increases, the force will decrease.

When both the cone and hemisphere are inverted, both will produce the same result. The side
in contact for both vanes will have less traction because of the upward curve making water runs
smoothly upward. This make the water has less area of impact. Thus, the ideal force will decreases
compared to normal orientation of the vane. The momentum theory cannot predict the actual result
because the actual flow rate and the mass that could affect the experiment is not considered in the theory.

In conclusion, angle 180o angle of plate experience the longest time to reach 5 litres of water,
but experience the greatest force to lift the vane. In addition, 30o angle of plate experience the shortest
time to fill 5 litres of water and experience the smallest force to lift the vane. So, the greater the angle
of plate, the greater the force to lift the vane.

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 [LAB EXPERIMENT: IMPACT OF A JET] October 2, 2018

REFERENCES

1. [website] Impact of a Jet - Computer Action Team. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~gerry/class/EAS361/lab/pdf/lab4_impactOfJet.pdf
2. [website] Engineer, M. (2015, December 04). Impact of Water Jets. Retrieved from
http://www.aboutmech.com/2015/12/impact-of-water-jets.html
3. [journal] Issaka, Z. -., Hong, H. -., Jiang, Y. -., Tang, P. -., & Chao, C. -. (2018). Simple theory,
numerical simulation of jet impact forces and water dispersion on the fixed dispersion
device for impact sprinkler. 2018 Detroit, Michigan July 29 - August 1, 2018.
doi:10.13031/aim.201800472
4. [book] . Çengel, Y. A., & Cimbala, J. M. (2018). Fluid mechanics: Fundamentals and
applications. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education.
5. [book] .Fox, R. W., McDonald, A. T., Pritchard, P. J., Mitchell, J. W., & Leylegian, J. C. (2016).
Fluid mechanics. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley

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