Marbonie G.

Balaguer January 28, 2013

2009-28132 February06, 2013

Exercise 6

THE ENERGY EQUATION

I. Introduction

Another important principle in hydraulics is the energy equation. Just like the continuity equation,
energy equation reflects a fundamental law in science and that is the Law of Conservation of Energy. It
states that the sum of all the form of energy in a system is equal to a constant. This became the basis of
Bernoulli in forming the equation given below,

2
+ + 2 = , (Eqn. 1)

where P is the static pressure, is the specific weight, z is the elevation from a certain datum, v
is the velocity of the flow and g is the gravitational pull of the Earth.

Each term in the equation represents a type or form of energy existing along the stream line. In
hydraulics, each term is called the head and has a dimension in length. Formally, the terms are called
the pressure head, elevation head, and velocity head, respectively. The constant C is termed as the total
head which can be determined empirically.

Considering a flow from one point to the other wherein one point is higher than the other, then by
summing all the energy involved in the flow,

1 + = 2 + +

The energy at point 1 and 2 is given by the Eqn. 1 while the energy added is an external energy that
can be from a pump, energy loss is due to several factors and the extracted energy is due to the
application of a turbine. The loss in energy can be due to friction of the flow with the channels
boundaries or can be due to changes in the direction of flow. By assuming that both two points lie in a
streamline, have a constant fluid density and in a frictionless system, then the above equation can be
simplified into,

2 2
( + 2 + ) + = ( + 2 + ) + + (Eqn. 2)
1 2

In this exercise, the group shall learn how to apply the energy equation in an open channel.

II. Objective

The objective of the exerciseis to demonstrate the application of the steady state energy equation in
an open channel.
 III. Materials and Methods

Materials

Flume set up Thermometer

Steel tape Stopwatch

Current meter Bucket

Marking pens Weighing scale

Methods

The gate valve of the supply line was opened and a reasonable discharge was generated. Two
sections a certain distance apart were selected and each depth was measured. The elevation of these
depths with respect to certain datum (e.g. the ground reservoir water in the floor canal) was also
measured. In the flume set-up, the flow rates in each depth for the two sections were measured using
the current meter. It was done for three trials. At the end of the flume, the gravimetric method was
used to determine the rate of discharge of the flume. The pump head and the temperature of the liquid
was recorded.

IV. Results and Discussion

Table 6-1 shows the calculated discharge of the flume using the gravimetric method. The first
column corresponds to the index or the unknown discharge used.

Table 6-1 Mass Flow Rates at Flume End

Index Section Mass Flow Rate (kg/s)
1 14.717
1 2 13.215
3 11.724
1 5.878
2 2 5.639
3 5.706

On the other hand, Table 6-2 shows the computed flow rates per section of the flume using the
current meter.
 Table 6-2 Mean Flow Rate at Each Section
Index Section Mean Flow Rate (m3/s)
1 0.0130962
1 2 0.013610916
3 0.0138348
1 0.008355069
2 2 0.007362
3 0.006399144

The energy equation is derived from the law of conservation of energy. By applying the first law
of thermodynamics which states that there exist a property called energy for every system in a control
volume and without the application of external energy like heat and work, the only energy acting on the
system will be the internal energy, kinetic and potential energy of the system. Also, the Law of
Conservation of Energy states that difference between the external heat and the work done by the
system is dependent on the initial state of the system. It can be expressed as,

= 1 2 (Eqn. 3)

It is important to note that the internal energy of the system divided by its unit mass is denoted
by e. So,

= +

further simplifying,

= = +

But by knowing that

=
+
, where
=

By applying the conditions above,

=
+ ( + ) (Eqn. 4)

The first term on the right side of the equation will become zero after establishing the control
volume boundaries. In equation form,

= ( + )

Then, applying the control surface area of the inlets and outlets of the system, the above
equation will yield to,
 2


= (1 + 1 ) 1 1 1 + (2 + 2 ) 2 2 2 where = + 2
1 2

The kinetic energy in the above equation must be multiplied to a factor equal to Eqn. 5,
evaluating and dividing by the mass flow rate, the above equation will be

1 3
=
(Eqn. 5)

1 2 2 2
+ 1 + 1 + 1 2
= + 2 + 2 + 2 2
(Eqn. 6)
1 2

Where qh is the added heat to the system and ws is the extracted or added work in the system. It
is positive, meaning it is added, if pump is used and it is negative, that is the energy is extracted, if a
turbine is used.

The energy grade line (EGL) is the line that represents the sum of all the heads available for the
fluid. It is theoretically horizontal which implies that the energy is conserved. In the presence of losses,
this line inclined with a negative slope or depending on the direction of the flow. It is established that
the hydraulic gradeline (HGL) is the same as the free surface, commonly called the hydraulic surface.
EGL is achieved by adding the velocity head and the pump head. The HGL sometimes coincides or in
parallel to the EGL. This happens when the flow is in steady state condition.

In an open channel, two sources of external energy can be used and this depends on the
elevation. If the fluid needs to be brought from a lower elevation to a higher one, then a pump is
needed. Pumps introduce additional force or energy to be able to overcome any differences in elevation
which facilitate the transfer of flow. On the other hand, turbines are used when there is a presence of
downward slope. It extracts energy which prevents hydraulic jumps and excessive wearing on the base
of the flow.

V. Summary and Conclusion

In summary, the energy equation is based from the first Law of Thermodynamics which states that
energy is neither created nor destroyed thus making it a constant property. In an open channel flow, it is
found out that the hydraulic grade line is simply the elevation head. A pump is needed if there is any
significant difference in the velocities of the sections considered. On the other hand, a turbine extracts
excess energy thus creating an energy loss. This makes the energy grade line to slope downward. It is
important to know and understand the energy equation because with this, one can derive the pressure,
the elevation and the velocity of the flow which are essential information especially in closed conduits
application.

References

http://www.engineersedge.com/fluid_flow/simplified_bernoullis_equation.htm

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/law-thermodynamics-d_93.html
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/energy-hydraulic-grade-line-d_613.html

http://library.thinkquest.org/2745/data/lawce1.htm