UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
LABORATORY
(CPE465)
NAME
: MUHAMMAD NAQIB BIN AZIZAN (2014281814)
GROUP
: 2B
EXPERIM
: FREE AND FORCED VORTEX
ENT
DATE
: 6/4/2015
PROG/CO
: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING / EH220
DE
SUBMIT
: PUAN NORSUHANA BINTI MOHD YUSOF
TO
N
Title
Allocated
Marks
o
Marks (%)
1 Abstract
5
2 Introduction
5
3 Objectives
5
4 Theory
5
5 Procedures/Methodology
10
6 Apparatus
5
7 Results
10
8 Calculation
10
9 Discussion
20
10 Conclusion
10
11 Recommendations
5
12 References
5
13 Appendices
5
TOTAL
100
Remarks:

Checked by:

Rechecked by:

Date:

Date:

TABLE CONTENT
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
AIMS
THEORY
APPARATUS
PROCEDURE
RESULT AND CALCULATION
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
RECOMENDATION
REFERENCE
APENDIX

Abstract

This experiment was carried out to demonstrate the relationship between the surface
shape of vortex flow and the angular velocity of a rotating liquid in a cylindrical tank by
using SOLTEQs model. From this experiment we can know about how the vortices are
produced and note their profiles. Free vortex is produced by having water discharging though
and interchangeable orifice in the base of the cylinder. It is then measure by using a combined
caliper and depth. The forced vortex is induced by a paddle rotated by jets of water at the
cylinder base. From the result, it is discovered that free vortex and forced vortex have their
own surface profile. For free vortex, the diameter of the vortex is proportional with the
diameter of orifice and the velocity is inversely proportional to the radius. For forced vortex,
the angular velocity is proportional to the water flow rate and the height of vortex formed.

Introduction

A vortex is the rotation of fluid elements of fluid elements around a common center.
The vortex motion is defined as a motion in which the whole fluid mass rotates about an axis
and the mass of fluid in rotation about a fixed axis is called vortex. The examples of a vortex
are the atmospheric phenomenon of a whirlwind, a tornado or dust devil and also a vortex
formed when water goes down a drain such as in a sink. 1 There are two types of vortex flow
which are forced vortex flow and free vortex flow. The free vortex essential characteristic in
ideal fluid that it does not require the application of external energy for continuance and
forced vortex is produced and maintained by application of external forces.2
Lets create two basic types of vortices. Connect two plastic bottles and poke a hole through
the cap. Fill water in the lower bottle. When you turn the bottles upside down and rotate, a
vortex is formed in the water. (If the water does not start flowing, give a quick squeeze to the
top bottle to get it going.) The vortex formed in this case is called a free vortex. This is the
vortex formed when draining a bathtub or a sink. The speed is faster as you get closer to the
center; that is, the peripheral speed is inversely proportional to the radius. In contrast, the
vortex seen in a water bottle fixed to the center of a turntable is called a forced vortex. The
peripheral speed is faster as you move away from the center; it is proportional to the radius.
The water moves together with the container and will not deform. The water behaves like a
rotating solid.3

Figure 3.0: Free and Forced Vortex

AIM
This are the objectives of this experiment:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

To study about free vortex and forced vortex.

To study on surface profile and speed of free vortex.
To find a relation between surface profile and speed of free vortex.
To study on surface profile and angular velocity of forced vortex.
To find a relation between surface profile and total head of forced vortex.

THEORY
Free Vortex
Movement in free vortex is different with free cylindrical vortex because free vortex
contains radial velocity towards center. Equation for such situation can be generated by
considering the water passes through round segments towards its diameter, where energy
passing any tube and is kept constant until

p V
+ +z=constant
pg 2 g

If A and V is surface area and velocity of a particular position while A1 and V1 are
surface area and velocity at distance, r from center circle.
AV = A1V1 = constant
By taking A = Kr,
1

V =

r V
r

If z is constant,
p
pg

p
pg

r 12 V 21
2 g r2

=C

=C-

r1 V 1
2 gr

Also,
p1
pg

p p1
pg

V 21
2g

=C

V 21
2g

r1 V 1
2 gr

p p1
pg

V 21
2g

{1-

r1
}
2
r

Forced Vortex
Surface profile for forced vortex can be represented by equation :

z=

2 r 2
2g

Distribution of total head can be represented by equation :

H=

2 r 2
g

Where:
Z = surface profile
= Angular velocity
r = radius
g = gravity
H = total head

Angular velocity can be calculated by:

2 x revolution
time (s)

APPARATUS
1. SOLTEQ Free and Forced Vortex (Model: FM42)
Bridge
Profile Measuring Gauge
9.0mm dia, Nozzle
Three Way Inlet Valve
12.5mm dia, Nozzle
Inlet
Surface Probe
Outlet Valve
Outlet
Pitot Tube
Orifice
Paddle

Experimental Procedure
1.1Free Vortex
1. 24mm diameter Orifice was selected and was placed on the base of a cylinder tank

2. The output valve was closed and the inlet 3- way valve was adjusted so that the water comes
in from 12.5 mm diameter pipes. The water flowed out through the orifice.
3. Next, the pump was switched on and the control valve on the hydraulic bench was opened
slowly until the tank limit. The water level was maintained using the control valve.
4. Wait until the water level is stable and the vortex profile was taken using the profile
measuring gauge
5. The profile measuring gauge was pushed down until the sharp point touches the water surface
6. The measuring height was recorded and the value was obtained of a distance from the bridge
to the surface of the water level was obtained
7. The pitot tube was used to measure the velocity by sinking it into the water at the water depth
of 5 mm from the water surface. The depth of the pitot tube in the water was measured, H
8. Step 2-7 was repeated for another three orifice with diameter 12mm,16mm, and 8mm
respectively
9. The coordinates of the vortex profile for all diameter of orifice in graph was plotted and the
gradient of graph was calculated as shown
10. The graph of velocity which was calculated from the pitot tube reading versus the radius of
the profile was plotted

1.2Forced Vortex
1. A closed pump with 2 pedals was placed on the base of a cylinder tank.
2. The output valves was closed and the inlet 3 way was adjusted to let the water flows into the
tank from two pipes with 9mm diameter. The water flows out through another two pipes with
diameter 12.mm
3. Ensure the water was flowing out from the tank with the siphon effect by raising the hose to
above the water level in the tank
4. Ensure that the outlet hose is filled with water before letting the water to flow into the sump
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

tank in the hydraulic bench

The angular speed of the pedal is measure by counting the number of circles in a certain time
The surface probe was pushed down until the sharp point touches the water surface
The measured height, ho was recorded
Step 3 7 was repeated with different volumetric flow rate
The coordinates of the vortex profile for different angular velocity was plotted
The calculated vortex profile in the same graph was plotted

Discussion
This experiment was carried out to investigate a test between free and forced vortex and observed the
surface profile and speed between the two types of vortices.
The first part was free vortex, relationship between surface profile and speed. Orifice of
24mm, 16 mm and, 8mm was tested with 3 different water levels, the distance from the bridge to
water surface was 205, 231 and 240 mm respectively, diameter, d and height, h was measured and
the value of pressure head X was calculated. Pitot head difference was measure to calculate the
theoretical velocity. In this part we can see that the smaller the diameter and the value for height, the
higher the value for velocity, the pitot tube difference and pressure head. Graph 1/r^2 was plotted to

obtain gradient and the value of K. From the graph 1, gradient is 8615 and K is 411.13. From K, we
can calculate the value for calculated velocity by using equation V=K/r. the calculated velocity is

41.113 mm/s. The value for calculated velocity is higher than the value of velocity. The difference is
between 7% - 20%.

Forced vortex on the other hand is formed when a liquid is rotated by a paddle within a tank.
The surface profile of forced vortex is a parabolic shape and is dependent to the angular
velocity of the rotation. The rotational speed of the paddle was measured by counting the
number of rotations in 60 seconds. Two trials were conducted where both used different flow
rates of water. The angular velocities were calculated where it was used to compare the actual
and theoretical values center between by plotting a graph of height against distance from
center. In first level we measured the revolution of propeller in the tank for 60 second and we get 34
rev per min. The angular velocity is 3.56 rad/s. For the second level the revolution of propeller takes
only 35 rev per min. the angular velocity for the second level is 3.67 rad/sec.
There are few errors that happened and it may be due to the method of handling. In this case it
may have come from within the working apparatus. There might have been some malfunction in the
working and running perfectly before starting the experiment. While taking measurements, there
might have been parallex error where the observers eye is not perpendicular to the scale.

Conclusion
From this experiment, we can conclude that for free vortex, the smaller the diameter
of vortex and the value for height from surface to bridge, the higher value for velocity, the
pitot tube difference and pressure heads. Meanwhile, in case of forced vortex, if the distance
from the center large, than the velocity increase. But lower water levels give us the higher
value of angular velocity.

For free vortex, the diameter of the vortex is proportional with the diameter of orifice and the
velocity is inversely proportional to the radius. For forced vortex, the angular velocity is
proportional to the water flow rate and the height of vortex formed. The objectives of
learning free and forced vortex have been achieved. The experiment is considered a success.

Recommendations
Throughout the experiment, a few recommendations and precautions must be
considered during performing the experiment. First of all make sure that all apparatus are in
good condition before starting the experiment in order to reduce the potential of inaccuracy in
obtaining measured data. Next, each readings of the recorded data should be taken at least
two or three times, then take the average in order to get more accurate readings. Since the

readings of required data are increasing quite fast, we might missed the correct readings, this
cause us to take the readings between the range which closer to it. This will cause errors in
the recorded data because it is just an estimate of the actual value. Besides, make sure water
always continuously running throughout the experiment.
Besides, when the experiments have completed, the electricity should be first switched off
and then the water supply, not the reverse order. Before the experiment started, make sure
both water source and drain are connected. While taking measurements, there might have been
parallex error where the observers eye is not perpendicular to the scale. The solutions should not

contain any impurities

Reference
1. www.peswiki.com/index.pho/powerpedia : vortex#forced_.28Rotational.29 Vortex
2. http://www.cussons.co.uk/education/products/mechanics_of_fluids
3. https://books.google.com.my/books?
id=ottGCe1CDUoC&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52&dq=vortex+chemical+engineering&sour
ce=bl&ots=BiLPYZd_Cv&sig=NzZMi-

QQXhmLP5jRaoKmmJzWrDc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2O8oVeOrMoyfugSMj4CADg&v
ed=0CCsQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=vortex%20chemical%20engineering&f=false
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclonic_separation
5. http://www.engineering.cornell.edu/news/magazine/fall2010/features/vortex.cfm