FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/1

UNIT 4

FLUID DYNAMICS

OBJECTIVES

General Objective : To know, understand and apply the mechanism of flow to simple
pipes.

Specific Objectives : At the end of the unit you should be able to :

¾ define types of flow

¾ define discharge, continuity equation and mass flowrate in pipes

¾ solve problems related to the use of continuity equation

FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/2

INPUT

4.1 TYPES OF FLOW

4.1.1 Steady flow

The cross-sectional area and velocity of the stream may vary from cross-
section, but for each cross-section they do not change with time. Example: a
wave travelling along a channel.

4.1.2 Uniform flow

The cross-sectional area and velocity of the stream of fluid are the same at
each successive cross-section. Example: flow through a pipe of uniform bore
running completely full.

4.1.3 Laminar flow

Also known as streamline or viscous flow, in which the particles of the fluid
move in an orderly manner and retain the same relative positions in
successive cross-sections.

4.1.4 Turbulent flow

Turbulent flow is a non steady flow in which the particles of fluid move in a
disorderly manner, occupying different relative positions in successive cross-
sections.

4.2 Discharge and Mass Flowrate

4.2.1 Discharge
The volume of liquid passing through a given cross-section in unit time is
called the discharge. It is measured in cubic meter per second, or similar units
and denoted by Q.

Q = A.v
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/3

Example 4.1

If the diameter d = 15 cm and the mean velocity, v = 3 m/s, calculate the actual
discharge in the pipe.

Solution to Example 4.1

Q = Av
π d2
= ×v
4
π (0.15)2
= ×3
4
= 0.053 m 3 / s

4.2.2 Mass Flowrate

The mass of fluid passing through a given cross section in unit time is called
the mass flow rate. It is measured in kilogram per second, or similar units and
•
denoted by m .
•
m = ρ × A× v
A1 v1 A2 v2

in out

• •
m1 = m 2

ρ 1 A1 v1 = ρ 2 A2 v 2
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/4

`Example 4.2

Oil flows through a pipe at a velocity of 1.6 m/s. The diameter of the pipe is 8 cm.
Calculate discharge and mass flowrate of oil. Take into consideration soil = 0.85.

Solution to Example 4.2

Q1 = A1v1
π (0.08)2
= (1.6)
4
= 8.042 × 10 −3 m 3 / s

•
m = ρQ
(
= 0.85(1000) 8.042 × 10 −3 )
= 6.836 kg / s

A very simple way to measure the rate at which water is flowing along the pipe is by
catching all the water that is coming out of the pipe in a bucket over a fixed time
period. We can obtain the rate of accumulation of mass by measuring the weight of the
water in the bucket and dividing this by the time taken to collect this water. This is
known as the mass flowrate.

Example 4.3

The weight of an empty bucket is 2.0 kg. After 7 seconds of collecting water the
weight of the bucket is 8.0 kg. Calculate the mass flowrate of the fluid.

Solution to Example 4.3

• mass flowrate in bucket

mass flowrate, m =
time taken to collect the fluid
8.0 − 2.0
=
7
= 0.857 kg / s
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/5

ACTIVITY 4A

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEFORE YOU CONTINUE WITH THE NEXT

INPUT…!

4.1 List down four types of flow. Define any three types of flow that you have
listed.
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/6

FEEDBACK ON ACTIVITY 4A

4.1
1. Steady flow
The cross-sectional area and velocity of the stream may vary from cross-
section, but for each cross-section they do not change with time. Example: a
wave travelling along a channel.

2. Uniform flow
The cross-sectional area and velocity of the stream of fluid are the same at
each successive cross-section. Example: flow through a pipe of uniform bore
running completely full.

3. Laminar flow
Also known as streamline or viscous flow, in which the particles of the fluid
move in an orderly manner and retain the same relative positions in successive
cross-sections.

4. Turbulent flow
Turbulent flow is a non steady flow in which the particles of fluid move in a
disorderly manner, occupying different relative positions in successive cross-
sections.
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/7

INPUT

4.3 Continuity Equation

For continuity of flow in any system of fluid flow, the total amount of fluid
entering the system must equal the amount leaving the system. This occurs in
the case of uniform flow and steady flow.

P R

QP QR
SYSTEM

P R

Figure 4.1

QP = discharge through cross-section P-P

AP = cross-sectional area through P-P
vp = fluid mean velocity through P-P
QR = discharge through cross-section R-R
AR = cross-sectional area through R-R
vR = fluid mean velocity through R-R

QP =QR

Discharge at section P = Discharge at section R

QP = QR
AP vP = AR vR
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/8

Application

We can apply the principle of continuity to pipes with cross sections that have
changes along their length. Consider the diagram below of a pipe with a
contraction.

Section 1 Section 2

Figure 4.2

A liquid is flowing from left to right and the pipe is narrowing in the same
direction. By the continuity principle, the discharge must be the same at each
section. The mass going into the pipe is equal to the mass going out of the
pipe.

Discharge at section 1 = Discharge at section 2

Q1 = Q2
A1 v1 = A2 v 2

Example 4.4

If the area A1 = 10 × 10-3 m2 and A2 = 3 × 10-3 m2 and the upstream mean velocity,
v1=2.1 m/s, calculate the downstream mean velocity.

Solution to Example 4.4

A1 v1
v2 =
A2
10 × 10 −3 (2.1)
=
3 × 10 −3
= 7.0 m / s
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/9

Now try this on a diffuser, a pipe which expands or diverges as in the figure
below.

Section 1 Section 2

Figure 4.3

Example 4.5

Referring to the Figure the diameter at section 1 is d1 = 30 mm and at section 2 is

d2=40 mm and the mean velocity at section 2 is v2 = 3.0 m/s. Calculate the velocity
entering the diffuser.

Solution to Example 4.5 The downstream velocity only

changes from the upstream by
2
⎛d ⎞ the ratio of the two areas of the
v1 = ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ v 2 pipe. As the area of the circular
⎝ d1 ⎠ pipe is a function of the
diameter, we can reduce the
2
⎛ 40 ⎞ calculation further. Thus,
= ⎜ ⎟ × 3.0
⎝ 30 ⎠ A π d 22 / 4 d 22
v1 = 2 v 2 = v = v2
π d12 / 4
2
= 5.3 m / s A1 d12
2
⎛d ⎞
= ⎜⎜ 2 ⎟⎟ v 2
⎝ d1 ⎠
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/10

Another example in the use of the continuity principle is to determine the

velocities in pipes coming from a junction.

Figure 4.4

Total discharge into the junction = Total discharge out of the junction
Q1 = Q2 + Q3
A1v1 = A2v2 + A3v3

Example 4.6
A pipe is split into 2 pipes which are BC and BD as shown in the Figure 4.5. The
following information is given:

diameter pipe AB at A = 0.45 m

diameter pipe AB at B = 0.3 m
diameter pipe BC = 0.2 m
diameter pipe BD = 0.15 m
Calculate:

a) discharge at section A if vA = 2 m/s

b) velocity at section B and section D if velocity at section C = 4 m/s

A B

D
Figure 4.5
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/11

Solution to Example 4.6

a) Discharge at section A

Q A = AA × v A
π (0.45)2
= ×2
4
= 0.318 m 3 / s

b) Discharge at section A = Discharge at section B

Q A = QB
AA v A = AB v B
A v
vB = A A
AB
0.318 (4 )
=
π (0.3)2
= 4.5 m / s

For continuity of flow

QB = QC + QD
QD = QB − QC
= ( AB × v B ) − ( AC vC )
⎡ π (0.3)2 ⎤ ⎡ π (0.2)2 ⎤
=⎢ × 4.5⎥ − ⎢ × 4⎥
⎣ 4 ⎦ ⎣ 4 ⎦
= 0.192 m / s
3

For pipe BD
QD = AD × v D
= 0.192 m 3 / s

QD
vD =
AD
0.192 × 4
= = 10.86 m / s
π (0.15)2
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/12

ACTIVITY 4B

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEFORE YOU CONTINUE WITH THE NEXT

INPUT…!

4.2 State the actual discharge equation for the following pipes.

5
2

1
7

Q1 = _______________

Q2 = _______________

Q7 = _______________
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/13

FEEDBACK ON ACTIVITY 4B

4.2

5
2

1
7

Q1 = _Q2 +Q3_

Q2 = _Q4 +Q5 +Q6_

Q7 = _Q3 –Q8_
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/14

SELF-ASSESSMENT

You are approaching success. Try all the questions in this self-assessment section and check
your answers with those given in the Feedback on Self-Assessment. If you face any problems,
discuss it with your lecturer. Good luck.

4.1 Water flows through a pipe AB of diameter d1 = 50 mm, which is in series with
a pipe BC of diameter d2 = 75 mm in which the mean velocity v2 = 2 m/s. At C
the pipe forks and one branch CD is of diameter d3 such that the mean velocity
v3 is 1.5 m/s. The other branch CE is of diameter d4 = 30 mm and conditions are
such that the discharge Q2 from BC divides so that Q4 = ½ Q3. Calculate the
values of Q1,v1,Q2,Q3,D3,Q4 and v4..

C D
B
A

E
FLUID DYNAMICS J3008/4/15

FEEDBACK ON SELF-ASSESSMENT

Answers:

4.1 Q1 = 8.836 × 10-3 m3/s

v1 = 4.50 m/s

Q3 = 5.891 × 10-3 m3/s

Q4 = 2.945 × 10-3 m3/s

d3 = 71 mm

v4 = 4.17 m/s