THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA – DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

BACHELOR OF TECHNOLOGY (CIVIL) – LEVEL 05

CEX 5231 – MECHANICS OF FLUIDS – YEAR 2015/2016
ASSIGNMENT 06 – SUGGESTED ANSWERS

(01) The main difference is the direction of the flow – radial (In the plane of the rotor) for a
centrifugal pump and along the axis of rotation of the rotor for an axial flow pump. The
difference in the flow direction leads to other differences – see the Lesson 19.3 for details.

A (15) – Clear explanation of the differences with figures

b) Centrifugal – standard water pump, axial flow – ceiling fan

B (10) – Example for each type of pump

c) We can write the discharge as a function of the other variables Q = (D, B, N, µ, p, gH)

C (05) – Functional relationship with correct list of variables

Note that we have combined g and H here instead of considering them as separate independent
Variables.

The reason is that the variable H represents the mechanical energy added to the fluid by them
pump. H is not the mechanical energy itself. The rate of addition of energy is given by the
equation E = QpgH .

In a centrifugal pump the “head”, H, represents the pressure difference – Δp = between the
outlet and the inlet of the pump. The pressure difference is defined by Δp =pgH.

Thus we see that in this problem the acceleration due to gravity only appears together with the
H. Therefore we can combine g and H here instead of considering them as separate independent
variables basic variables
D – (L) , Ƿ - ( ML-3) , N –( T-1)
Here we have 6 variables on the right hand side with B – (L) => D/B
Three dimensions. Therefore we can condense this µ - ( ML-1 T-1 )
List into three (6-3) non- dimensional Variables. µ - ( L2 T-1 )
If we use D, p and N as the basic variables we can Ƿ
Obtain the given answer easily.

ǷN
The course material gives a general method for Q – ( L3T-1 )
Obtaining the non-dimensional variables. This Q - ( L3) => Q
Method involves writing down three simultaneous N ND3
Equations for the exponents of each variable in Q/ ND3 = f ( D/B , N2D2/gH , Ƿ ND2/µ )
a non-dimensional group.

However, you should get used to obtaining the Groups by inspection.

Here we look at the dimension of the variable forming the group and compare them with the
dimension of the basic variables. By considering the exponents of the dimensions for mass,
Length and Time (M, L and T) separately we can obtain the non-dimensional groups very quickly.

I have explained the process in the flow chart on the right.

D (15) – Derivation of the relationship between non-dimensional variables

gh – ( L2 T2) gH - (L2) gHbn
N2 N2D2

D) See Lesson 19.5 the important point is that the specific speed can br calculated from the
required performance of the pump (discharge, head and speed). This value can be compared to
the guidelines given to identify which type of pump will be performing close to its maximum
efficiency when operated under the required conditions.

E (10) – Clear explanation. Zero marks if you have just copied everything in the lesson!

e) The key point is that we must neglect the Reynolds number (Third variable in the list).

As the geometry of the model prototype is similar the Qm= 2.5Ƿ/5 , hm=3m , Zm=65%
ratio D/B Is the same in both. Nm=2000 , dm = 30cm

This means that there is a relationship between the dp=150 cm, Np =1450
(Non-dimensional) Flow number and the (non-dimensional)
Head number.

For geometry similarity the flow number should Qm/ NmǷm3 = QǷ/NmQǷ3 => QǷ=227L/5
be the same in Model and prototype. Then we
can obtain the prototype discharge.
F (10) - Calculation of prototype discharge

Then from the non- dimensional relationship Nm2 Dm2 = NǷ2 DǷ2 => HǷ= 39.4 m
the head number should also Be the same in model gHm gHǷ
and prototype. So that we can find the head
in the prototype.
G (10) - Calculation of prototype head.

Finally, the efficiency is also a non-dimensional quantity. Power consumption = Ƿg HǷQǷ

Therefore It is also related to the other non-dimensional δǷ
variables. As the flow number is the same in model and = 135kw//
prototype the efficiency will also be the same
(if Reynolds number effects are neglected).
H (10) - Calculation of prototype power consumption

f) The main assumption is that the Reynolds number Rem = ǷmRmWm Dm

can be neglected. 100
This is allowable if the flow in both the model and prototype = Ƿm Dm 2π Nm Dm
is fully turbulent. µm 2 60 100

To calculate the Reynolds number we need a velocity scale µm = 10 -3 Ƿas , Ƿm = 103

and a length scale. The velocity scale is Rω - where R is the
radius of the impeller and ω the Rotational speed in radians/second. Rem = 9.4 x 105
The length scale is related to the size of the Largest eddy.
This size is related to the spacing between the plated in the
Impeller And the spacing between the impeller and the casing.
We don’t know these details but we can show that even
if they are as small as D/100 we will still obtain very high
Reynolds numbers for both cases – showing that the assumption
Is reasonable.
I (10) – Clear explanation with estimated Reynolds numbers.

6
g) If we apply the energy equation we can obtain an equation ReǷ = 1.7 x 10
That relates the pump Head to the discharge and the elevation
Difference between the reservoirs. Note that
The losses are all proportional to the square of the discharge. Δ
=-
However both the pump head and discharge are not P H
Known – therefore we need another Relation Δ/2
Between these variables.

This relationship comes from the pump test – graph of H vs. Q. hǷ = H + hc

hc = kQ2
The solution to the problem lies where the two curves intersect.
Therefore we need to test the model over the full range of discharge and convert the
Results to a H-Q graph for the prototype at the operating speed using the non-dimensional
Relations. kQ + H
J (20) – Clear explanation with diagram. H

Q
Characteristic curve
02)
a) We have to follow the same methods as in section g) of question I. There we obtained one
relationship between the pump head and the discharge using the energy equation. The other
relationship was the characteristic curve (relationship between pump head and discharge from
the pump test).

Here we have two pumps in parallel and a turbine but we can use the same method.

We can use energy equation to derive a relationship between HA +hǷ- hT-hf=Hδ

The pump head. Turbine head and the friction loss. We HA- Hδ =50 => hǷ - hT = hf -50
Assume that all the other losses are negligible. hf = 50 + hǷ - hT
A (15) – Relationship between heads.

Using the given data we can obtain an equation for L = 2 km , d = 10cm , f =0.015
the friction loss In terms of the discharge. hf = 0.248Q2 ( Q l/s)
B (05) – Equation for head loss due to friction

The next step is to use the head –discharge relati9onships of the pump Q ( µs) 0 20 40
Pipeline and the quantity ( Hp-Hr). This relationship is obtained hǷ (m) 100 85 70
In the form of a table. hT (m) 40 28 10
50+ hǷ - hT 90 107 110
For example if the discharge is 10 I/s, the discharge through the 0.248Q2 0 99.2 397
Turbine is 10 I/s while the discharge through each is 5 I/s,
Then we can find the pump head, HǷ corresponding to a 0.248Q2
Discharge of 5 l/s from table 2a and the turbine head, H1
Corresponding to a discharge of 10 l/s from Table 2b.
50+ hǷ- hT
In this way we can develop a table that relates the discharge, Q
Q, to the quantity ( Hp-Hr).
C (20) – Relationship between discharge and ( Hp-Hr ) Q = 20.8 l/s

Now we can also add a row of values for the quantity 0.25Q2
In the table. The value of Q for which the row for ( Hp-Hr )
And the row for 0.25Q2 take the same value is the solution.
D(10) – Solution for the discharge
E (20) – Clear explanation and statement of assumptions.

b) We can find the rate of energy supplied by the pump to Work done by pumps = 2 x Q Ƿgh
the water. From table 2a we can find the pump efficiency 2
and use it to fund the energy supplied to the pumps. = 17.2kw
A (05) – Calculate power supplied to the water from the pumps qǷ= 45.2%
B (05) – Obtain pump efficiency from table 2a
C (05) – Calculate energy supplied to pump Power supplied = 17.4 = 37.9kw
45.2%
Similarly we can find the rate of energy lost from the water in
The turbine and use the efficiency from Table 2b to find the
Power produced by the turbine.
D (05) – Calculate power lost from the water in the turbine Power recovered by turbine=qQǷgh
E (05) - Obtain turbine efficiency from Table 2b = 3.97kw
F (05) – Calculate power generated by the turbine Proportion of power recovered=0.105

We find that the turbine recovers about 10.5% of the

Energy supplied to the pumps.
G (10) – Ratio of energy recovered to energy supplied

03)
a) The functions of a surge tank are to reduce the pressure in the low pressure tunnel during
rapid closure of the turbine valve and to reduce the time taken for the establishment of flow to
the turbine when the valve is opened rapidly. See Lesson 21.
A (10) – Clear and brief answer. HL=he+ hf = V2 (0.5+f-5000/2)
2g
b) The friction factor can be found by using the energy equation
from the surface of the reservoir to the surface of the surge tank.
B (10) – Calculation of the friction factor. f = 1.35 x 10-3

c) The total kinetic energy of the water in the low pressure tunnel is
the velocity head times the weight of water in the tunnel.
C (10) – Calculation of the total kinetic energy in the tunnel. Total K.E = V2 x weight of water
2g
= 79.4 mJ
d) The additional potential energy is the potential energy
of the additional water in the surge tank with the datum taken as the
elevation of the low pressure tunnel.
D (10) – Calculation of the additional potential energy Potential Energy = ( 50 + h/2 ) x ǷghA

Kinetic Energy = Potential Energy

e) When the valve is suddenly closed the water level in the surge
tank will rise until the velocity in the low pressure tunnel has h ( 50 + h/2 ) = 412
been reduced to zero. If we neglect energy losses due to the friction h = 7.65m
we can assume that all the kinetic energy in the tunnel during
the steady flow situation has been converted to additional potential
energy in the surge tank. Therefore by equating these values for
the energy can obtain the maximum level in the surge tank.
E (15) – Calculation of maximum level of the surge tank
F (10) - Clear statement of assumptions and explanation of Vrare = VT = 3.18 = 1.59 m/s
method 2 2

f) We can take the average values of the velocity in the tunnel Vorifice = 6.36m/s , Vsurge= 0.25m/s
to be half the initial value. Then by continuity we can find the
average value of the velocity through the orifice and in the surge
tank when water is flowing from the tunnel into the
surge tank. Using the given equation we can calculate h2 = (V0-Vs)2 = 1.9 m
the average head loss at the orifice. 2g
G (10) – Calculation of average head loss Energy lost = Ƿgh2.t
We can estimate the total energy lost in the orifice by
Multiplying the head loss by the average discharge and t = V/Q
The time of the flow. We do not know the time (which Energy lost = ǷghL A.h
is the time taken for the water level in the surge tank to reach
a maximum ). However the multiple of the average discharge
and the time is the total additional volume that flows into
the surge tank.

Therefore we can express the total energy lost in the orifice KE = PE+ Energy lost
In terms of the additional water level in the surge tank. We
Can then use the principle of conservation of energy as in section
e)- with the difference that some of the initial kinetic energy
is dissipated in the orifice.
Equating the energies allows us to calculate the maximum water
level in the surge tank. The answer shows that the impact of the
orifice is very small in this case.
H(20) – calculation of maximum height in surge tank h = 7.4 m

g) The advantage of a throttled surge tank is that some of the kinetic energy in the low pressure
tunnel is dissipated in the orifice – so that the rise in the surge tank is reduced. The
disadvantages are the extra cost and the higher pressure in the low pressure tunnel.
I (10) – Clear explanation
04)

a) In order to complete sections a) , b), and c) we need to know

the discharge the penstock. However we are only given the L = 2km, d = 2.5 m
dimensions. Material and head loss in the low pressure tunnel Δh = 4m

We can calculate the discharge if we assume a value for 4 = f. 2000. V2

the effective roughness of the tunnel. I take a value of 0.5mm 2.5 2 x9.81
Σ = 0.5 m, Σ/d = 0.0002

The velocity in the tunnel can be found using a trial and error
Solution . The solution begins with an estimated value of
F=0.01 for the friction factor. Then the velocity can be found
From the given head loss. Now the moody diagram is used
To obtain a new value for the friction factor and the process
Continued until the solution converges. f = 0.01 - assumed
A (15) – Calculation of the discharge V = 3.13 m /s , Ƿe = 7.8 x 106

Once we know the steady discharge we can calculate what

Happens when the turbine valve is closed suddenly.
See Lesson 22 (especially 22.3) for details. From moody Diagram

The maximum pressure is given by a simple equation f = 0.014

Where a is the speed of the hammer wave.
B (10) – Calculation of the speed of the water hammer wave V = 2.65 m/s , Ƿe = 6.6 x 106
C (10) – Calculation of the maximum pressure f = 0.014 (Converged)
.: f = 0.014, V = 2.65 m/s
b) The stresses in the penstock are related to the maximum Q = 13 m3/s
pressure. The course material gives equations for the
circumferential (Hoop) stress and the longitudinal stress.

For the given data the stresses are found to be very large,
And exceed the ultimate strength of even high strength
Steels.
D (15) – Calculation of stresses
Penstock L = 400 m, d = 0.5 m, e = 1.5 cm, Q = 13 m3/s
.: V0 = 66.2 m/s C1 = 1 , K= 2.1x109Ƿa , E = 2.1 x 1011 Ƿa
Ƿmin = CVoǷ = 83 MǷa
C= Hoop stress = Ƿmax /2e = 1383 MǷa

C = 1,255 m/s// Longitudinal stress = Ƿmax /4e = 692 MǷa

CEX 5231- Mechanics of Fluids-2013/14- Assignment#06 – Suggested answers

05) a) See the course material. We can write the law in vector format as follows.
Here V is the velocity and h is the potential function. In an unconfined aquifer h can be taken to
be the height of the free surface if we assume a hydrostatic pressure distribution.
A (10) – Statement of Darcy’s Law

The main assumptions are laminar flow and a homogeneous and isotropic material. You should
understand what these words mean!
B (10) –Principal assumptions

b) The first thing you should recognize about this problem is that it’s radially symmetric. That
means that all variables are a function of r only.

To obtain the governing equation we have to use the principle of conservation of mass and
Darcy’s Law.

Let us consider an annular control volume. The plan and sectional views of this control volume
are shown.
C (10) – Diagram of control volume
δr q

r
h(r)
Q Δ
h(r) rrr

r Q+δQ

δr

If we apply the conservation of mass for a steady flow Q + 2πrδrq = Q + δQ

we can obtain a relationship between the discharge
at any radius and the recharge rate.
D (10) – Application of conservation of mass dQ = 2πrq => Q = πr2q + C1
E (10) – Equation for discharge dr

We can apply Darcy’s law at any radius to express Q = 2πrh (-k dh )

The discharge as a function of the height of the free surface. dr
2
F (10) –Application of Darcy’s Law d(h ) = -q r + C1 . 1
dr R πk r

CEX 5231- Mechanics of Fluids-2013/14- Assignment#06 – Suggested answers

The two equations can be combined and the result h2 = qr2 + C1 her + C2
Integrated to obtain the general equation. 2k πk
G (10) – Derivation of general equation

You should make sure that you understand all the assumptions that have been made to get this
equation. The most important is that the flow is horizontal. Note that under this assumption water is
flowing everywhere in the sand column below the island- even at levels below the free surface elevation
in the lake.

We also neglect streamline curvature and vertical motions. Near the edge of the island streamline
curvature may not be negligible. Note that all these comments also apply to the equation and solution
derived in the laboratory class.

c) You should make sure you understand the correct boundary conditions. We have two unknown so we
need two boundary conditions.

We have one condition at the perimeter of the island. h = h0 r = r0

Here the water level is known.

Therefore we can equate the water level in the aquifer to the water level
In the lake at the radius of the island.
H (10) - Boundary condition at the edge of the island

c) The second condition has to be taken at the centre of the island – i.e. at r = 0 . However we see that
we can’t directly put r=0 in the general equation because of the ln (r) term in the equation.

The coefficient of the ln (r) term is C1. This value comes Q = πr2q + C1
From the application of the principle of conservation of mass. Q = 0 r = 0 => C1 = 0

We can set r = 0 in this equation. Here Q0 is the discharge .’. h2 = -qr2 + C2

At the centre of the island. This will have a non-zero value 2h
Only if there is a well at the where water is being pumped out
(Or pumped in). See Lesson 30.7

In our problem Q0 = 0 and therefore C1 = 0 h = h0 r = r0

I(10) – Boundary condition at the cantre of the island

We can then obtain the final solution for the problem. ( h2- h02 ) = q ( r02-r2 )
J (10) – Derivation of final solution 2h

CEX 5231- Mechanics of Fluids-2013/14- Assignment#06 – Suggested answers

Note: When C1 = 0 we see that the condition dh/dr = 0 at r = 0 – which is required for a smooth solution
to a radially symmetric problem – is automatically satisfied.

d) There is a mistake in the problem. The height of the water level in the lake above the impervious layer
of rock isn’t given. This is the value h0 in the equation. Let us assume that h0 = 10 m.

From the equation we see that the highest groundwater h0 = wm , r0 =500m

level will be found at the centre of the island. This value h = hmax r=0
is easily obtained by setting r = 0 in the equation. hmax = 16m , Δh = 6m
K (10) – Obtaining highest groundwater level

Note: As the value h0 increase, the maximum groundwater level in the island will decrease. This is
because our solution assumes that water is flowing (horizontally) in the entire column of sand under the
island.

e) If the island is in the sea the surrounding water will be more dense than the rain water. Therefore the
rain water that infiltrates the ground will form a “lens” that “floats” on the sea water that lies below.
The fresh water will flow into the sea at the edge of the island – as shown in the figure.

The density difference between the rain water and the sea water will reduce the mixing between the
two layers of ground water. The solution of this problem is more complicated than when the lake also
consists of freshwater.
L (20) – Clear explanation with diagram

q FREE SURFACE OF
FRESHWATER LENS

FRESH WATER

SEA SEA

SEA WATER IN SAND

CEX 5231- Mechanics of Fluids-2015/16- Assignment#06 – Suggested answers