Experiment 1: Flow through a Convergent Divergent Duct

OBJECTIVE OF EXPERIMENT

To demonstrate the application of the Bernoulli equation as applied to the flow in a convergent
divergent duct.

INTRODUCTION

Bernoullis principal was introduced by a Dutch-Swiss mathematician, Daniel Bernoulli who

is the one published his principle in his book (Hydrodynamics) in 1738. Bernoullis principle
states that for an inviscid flow, the pressure of the fluid decreases as the speed of the fluid
increases. It can be applied to many types of fluid flow which denoting it as the Bernoulli
equation.

Basically, there are many forms of Bernoulli equation for different types of scenario, but the
simplest form of Bernoulli equation is valid for compressible flow and incompressible flow.
Besides, Bernoullis principle obeys the principle of conservation of energy which states that
all points in the enclosed path of flowing fluid is the same as the overall sum of all forms of
mechanical energy along the streamline. The core properties of fluid particles are pressure and
their own weight. If the fluid is flowing with high speed, it might be transferred from a higher
region to a lower pressure region. Therefore, the high-speed fluid is always come with a low
pressure. It can be analysed by applying the convergent-divergent duct. The fluid (water) will
flow through the convergent-divergent duct with a different set of flow rate and the pressure
head in the manifold is recorded.

Bernoullis principle can only be applied under certain condition and assumptions. The fluid
must be frictionless (inviscid-no viscosity) and constant density; the fluid must pass through
all the points in the pipe, and steady flow conditions.

The Bernoulli equation is given by the following relationship:

2 2
P1 v P v
1 z1 2 2 z 2 H
1 g 2 g 2 g 2g
Where,

1 & 2 = density of water

g = gravitational acceleration

v1 = velocity at cross section 1

v2 = velocity at cross section 2

z1 & z 2 = elevation

H = total pressure head

Water may be considered as incompressible, 1 = 2 =

For a horizontal convergent-divergent duct, z1 = z 2 = z

The velocity of the flow v1 & v2 can be calculated from the cross-sectional area & the volume
flow rate Q.

The volume flow rate Q = v1 A1 = v2 A2

A1 d1 & A2
2 2
d2
4 4

Assuming no frictional losses in the ideal case, H remains constant.

2 2
P1 v P v
1 z1 2 2 z 2 H o
1 g 2 g 2 g 2g

The Ideal pressure head is obtained from

2
P2 v
z 2 H o 2 (Ideal height of manometer column)
2 g 2g

However, due to the frictional losses, the actual H drops along the venturi duct.

Therefore, the Actual pressure head is less than the Ideal Pressure Head.
Venturi Meter

The venture meters are the tool that used to measure the flow through a pipeline which contain
a converging section, a throat and a diverging section as shown in the diagram below. The
converging section will increase the fluid velocity and lowering the static pressure by
decreasing the pipe diameter in the pipeline. Therefore, a pressure difference will develop when
the fluid is passing through from the inlet to converging portion. The diverging section returns
the area of the stream back to entrance area and convert velocity head into pressure head.

Diagram 1: Structure of a Venture Tube

APPARATUS

Bernoullis Theorem Demostration Unit

2
3
2 4

Diagram 2: Parts Identification Diagram

 1. Manometer
2. Water Inlet
3. Unions
4. Test Section

PROCEDURE

1. Make sure that the water outlet tube is directed to the sump of the apparatus.
2. Switch on the water pump.
3. Keeping the main input water flow valve fully open, adjust the bypass water valve to
control the volume flow rate.
4. Adjust the water flow rate to the maximum possible flow rate by closing the bypass
valve. Allow the flow to stabilize and to remove all air bubbles in the system.
5. Fit the air pump provided to the right end of the manifold on top of the manometers.
6. The pump is used to control the base line level of the manometer readings by increasing
or decreasing the pressure in the manifold. The base line need not fall exactly at the
zero line because the velocity calculations use only the pressure difference.
7. The pressure in the manifold can be increased by pumping action of the air pump.
8. The pressure in the manifold can be decreased by pressing on to the needle valve on the
right-hand side of the manifold to release the air in the manifold.
9. Take the volume flow rate reading and all the manometer readings. Enter the readings
into the spreadsheet in the computer provided for the purpose.
10. Adjust the bypass valve to decrease the flow rate to obtain different sets of manometer
readings for flow rates of 6.5, 6.0, 5.0, 4.0 and 3.0 gallons/min.
RESULTS & CALCULATION

Flow rate of water, Q = 3 gallon/min

3 0.00378541
= 60

= 0.0001892m3/s

1000kg / m 3 & g = 9.81m/s2

Elevation, Z = 30mm

Diameter = 24mm

D2
Area, A = 4

= 452.4 mm2

By using the Bernoulli Equation:

1 1
P1 + 21v12 + 1gz1 = P2 + 22v22 + 2gz2 = H

1 2 2
+ 1 +z1 = 2 + 22 +z2 = H0
1 2 2

Where 1= 2 = , z1= z2 = z

For ideal cases:

3 0.00378541
Flowrate = 60

= 0.0001892 m3 / s

Velocity =

0.0001893
= 0.0004524

= 0.42 m/s

= 420 mm/s
 2 2
+ 2 +z2 = H0
2 2

(0.42)2
23.4 + [2 9.81](1 103) + 30 = H0

Ideal H0 = 62.3 mm

For actual cases:

3 0.00378541
Flowrate = 60

= 0.0001893 m3 / s

Velocity =

0.0001893
= 0.0004524

= 0.42 m/s

= 420 mm/s

2 22
+ +z2 = H0
2 2

(0.42)2
24.8 + [2 9.81](1 103) + 30 = H0

Actual H0 = 63.7 mm

62.363.7
Percentage Error = | | 100%
62.3

= 2.2472%
DISCUSSION

According to our calculation above, it is clearly showing that there is a minor difference
between actual pressure head value and ideal pressure head value. The reading of manometer
from the tube with diameter of 24mm showed at the actual pressure value of 24.8mm when we
set the flow rate to 3gallons/min. Meanwhile, the ideal pressure head value is 23.4mm which
resulting a percentage error of 2.2471%.

One of the reasons that resulting the value different is the frictional losses occurred when the
fluid (water) pass through the convergent-divergent duct. Frictional losses can be divided into
two categories; skin-friction and form friction. Roughness in the inner part of pipe is factor that
causing skin-friction. On the other hand, form friction happens when there is an obstruction
present in the pipeline or a band or control value that changing the flowing pattern of the fluid.
Besides, the fluid (water) is assumed to be incompressible with constant density condition.
However, the temperature changes all the time as well as the fluid density which directly
affecting the experimental value of the total head. Last but not least, human and apparatus error
might unintentionally cause actual cases result different from the expectation results. The
parallax error is the common human error occurred when we are recording values form the
manifolds.

From the table in appendix 1, it is clearly indicating that the pressure head will increase when
the fluid passes through from converging duct to diverging duct. This is due to the velocity of
fluid decrease when the it flows through the wider area, while the fluid velocity will increase
again when it reaches the narrow area duct. Therefore, the fluid velocity decrease when the
fluid passes through a larger cross-sectional area and vice versa. This can be explained by the
continuity equation shows at below,

1A1V1 = 2A2V2

Since, we have assumed the water as incompressible fluid, thus the density of fluid will stay
constant as well which further simplified the formula as below,

A1V1 = A2V2

If the convergent-Divergent duct is inclined upwards, the total head H, will remain constant,
while the pressure head at the higher position will be higher than the pressure head at the lower
position. It can be explained by using the derived Bernoullis equation where position 1 is at a
lower height than position 2.

1 2 2
+ 1 +z1 = 2 + 22 +z2 (1) P1 P2 = g(z2 z1) (2)
1 2 2

Since the diameter of tubes are the same and we can assume that the fluid flows at the constant
velocity (v1 = v2). Besides, we can also assume it is an incompressible fluid which leads to
constant density at point 1 and 2, (1 = 2). The equation can be further simplified to equation
2.

From the simplified equation above, we can confirm that the pressure head will increase when
it flows through a higher position. The velocity head will decrease and eventually come to zero
when the velocity at point 1 is same as point 2. At last, the corresponding total head, H will
stay the same.

These are some of the precaution steps that we can refer to in order for us to reduce the
percentage error. Firstly, the eyes must be parallel to the scale when the manometer readings
are taken. The control valve need to be controlled slowly when changing the fluid flow rate.
The air bubble in the pipeline need to be removed before carried out the experiment. This is to
ensure a better accuracy of our experiment data.

CONCLUSION

Bernoulli's law was investigated and determined in this experiment by using convergent-
divergent duct. We can conclude that the velocity of the fluid decrease when the fluid passed
from a narrower area to wider area tube and vice versa.
REFERENCES

1. The Editors of Encyclopdia Britannica. (2017). Bernoullis theorem. Retrieved July 18, 2017,
from Encyclopdia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/science/Bernoullis-theorem

2. Hall, N. (2015, May 05). Bernoulli's Equation. Retrieved July 18, 2017, from NATIONAL
AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION : https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-
12/airplane/bern.html

3. Romero, D. (1996-2007). Bernoulli's Law. Retrieved July 18, 2017, from WOLFRAMRESEARCH:
http://scienceworld.wolfram.com/physics/BernoullisLaw.html