Experiment Title : Flow through a Convergent-Divergent Duct

Subject : UEME 2123 Fluid Mechanics 1:Experiment 1

Course : Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Civil Engineering

Name of Student : Wong Wai Choong

Student ID No : 1600255

Year and Trimester : Y1S2

Date of Experiment: 1st July 2016

Received by:-
Name of Lecturer : Dr. Ng Chai Yan

________________________
Lab Assistance / Lab Officer
Date :
Receipt of Lab Report Submission (to be kept by student)

Experiment Title : Flow through a Convergent-Divergent Duct

Subject : UEME 2123 Fluid Mechanics 1:Experiment 1

Course : Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Civil Engineering

Name of Student : Wong Wai Choong

Received by:-
Student ID No : 1600255

Year and Trimester : Y1S2 ________________________

Lab Assistance / Lab Officer
Date of Experiment: 1st July 2016 Date :
Objective:
To demonstrate the application of the Bernoulli equation as applied to the flow in a
convergent- divergent duct.

Introduction:
Bernoulli's principle can be applied to various types of fluid flow, resulting in various
forms of Bernoulli's equation; there are different forms of Bernoulli's equation for
different types of flow. The simple form of Bernoulli's equation is valid
for incompressible flows. Bernoulli's principle can be derived from the principle
of conservation of energy. This states that, in a steady flow, the sum of all forms of
energy in a fluid along a streamline is the same at all points on that streamline. This
requires that the sum of kinetic energy, potential energy and internal energy remains
constant. Thus an increase in the speed of the fluid – implying an increase in both
its dynamic pressure and kinetic energy – occurs with a simultaneous decrease in (the
sum of) its static pressure, potential energy and internal energy. If the fluid is flowing
out of a reservoir, the sum of all forms of energy is the same on all streamlines
because in a reservoir the energy per unit volume (the sum of pressure
and gravitational potential ρ g h) is the same everywhere. Bernoulli's principle can
also be derived directly from Newton's 2nd law. If a small volume of fluid is flowing
horizontally from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure, then there is
more pressure behind than in front. This gives a net force on the volume, accelerating
it along the streamline. Fluid particles are subject only to pressure and their own
weight. If a fluid is flowing horizontally and along a section of a streamline, where
the speed increases it can only be because the fluid on that section has moved from a
region of higher pressure to a region of lower pressure; and if its speed decreases, it
can only be because it has moved from a region of lower pressure to a region of
higher pressure. Consequently, within a fluid flowing horizontally, the highest speed
occurs where the pressure is lowest, and the lowest speed occurs where the pressure is
highest.
Procedure:
1. The water outlet tube is ensured directed to the pump of the apparatus.
2. The water pump is switched on.
3. The main input water flow valve is fully opened, the bypass water valve is
adjusted to control the volume flow rate.
 4. The water flow rate is adjusted to the maximum possible flow rate by closing the
bypass valve. The flow is allowed to stabilize and all the air bubbles are removed
in the system.
5. The air pump provided to the right end of the manifold is fit 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 is make sure
not to fall exactly at zero line because the velocity calculation 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. The volume flow rate readings and all the manometer readings are taken. The
readings are entered into the spreadsheet in the computer provided for the
purpose.
10. The bypass valve is adjusted 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.

Result:
π 3.14
ρ 1000kg/m3
g 9.81m/s2
Gal/min 6.308x10-5m3/s

1. 3.0 gallons/min
Expt Ideal

X Diamete Area P P Velocit v2 Z Actua Head Ideal

(mm r (mm2) ρg ρg y 2g (mm l Loss Total
) (mm) (mm) (mm) (m/s) (mm ) Total (mm) Head
) Head (mm)
(mm)
5 26.0 530.9 200. 200. 0.36 6.5 30.0 236.5 0.0 236.5
0 0
18 24.0 452.4 198. 197. 0.42 8.9 30.0 236.9 -0.4 236.5
0 6
31 17.6 243.3 190. 175. 0.78 30.8 30.0 250.8 -14.4 236.5
0 6
43 16.0 201.1 178. 161. 0.94 45.2 30.0 253.2 -16.7 236.5
0 3
78 18.6 271.3 189. 181. 0.70 24.8 30.0 243.8 -7.3 236.5
0 7
105 21.6 367.0 194. 192. 0.52 13.5 30.0 237.5 -1.1 236.5
0 9
132 24.7 477.3 196. 198. 0.40 8.0 30.0 234.0 2.5 236.5
0 5
145 26.0 530.9 196. 200. 0.36 6.5 30.0 232.5 4.0 236.5
0 0

Graph of Pressure head against Distance

300.0
250.0
Actual pressure head Ideal pressure head Velocity head
200.0
150.0
Head (mm)
100.0
50.0
Elevation head Actual total head Ideal total head
0.0
5 18 31 43 78 105 132 145
Distance (mm)

4.0 gallons/min
Expt Ideal

X Diamete Area P P Velocit v

2
Z Actua Head Ideal
(mm r (mm2) ρg ρg y 2g (mm l Loss Total
) (mm) (mm) (mm) (m/s) (mm ) Total (mm) Head
) Head (mm)
(mm)
5 26.0 530.9 228. 228. 0.48 11.5 30.0 269.5 0.0 269.5
0 0
18 24.0 452.4 223. 223. 0.56 15.9 30.0 268.9 0.7 269.5
0 7
31 17.6 243.3 199. 184. 1.04 54.8 30.0 283.8 -14.3 269.5
0 7
43 16.0 201.1 170. 159. 1.26 80.3 30.0 280.3 -10.8 269.5
0 2
78 18.6 271.3 197. 195. 0.93 44.1 30.0 271.1 -1.6 269.5
0 4
105 21.6 367.0 210. 215. 0.69 24.1 30.0 264.1 5.4 269.5
0 4
132 24.7 477.3 218. 225. 0.53 14.2 30.0 262.2 7.3 269.5
0 3
145 26.0 530.9 220. 228. 0.48 11.5 30.0 261.5 8.0 269.5
0 0

Graph of Pressure head against Distance

300.0
Actual pressure head Ideal pressure head Velocity head
250.0
200.0
150.0
Head (mm)
100.0
50.0
Elevation head Actual total head Ideal total head
0.0
5 18 31 43 78 105 132 145
Distance (mm)

5.0 gallons/min
Expt Ideal

X Diamete Area P P Velocit v2 Z Actu Head Ideal

(mm r (mm2) ρg ρg y 2g (mm al Loss Total
) (mm) (mm) (mm) (m/s) (mm) ) Total (mm) Head
Head (mm)
(mm)
5 26.0 530.9 249. 249. 0.59 18.0 30.0 297.0 0.0 297.0
0 0
18 24.0 452.4 242. 242. 0.70 24.8 30.0 296.8 0.2 297.0
0 2
31 17.6 243.3 205. 181. 1.30 85.7 30.0 320.7 -23.7 297.0
0 3
43 16.0 201.1 162. 141. 1.57 125.4 30.0 317.4 -20.4 297.0
0 6
78 18.6 271.3 205. 198. 1.16 68.9 30.0 303.9 -6.9 297.0
0 1
105 21.6 367.0 224. 229. 0.86 37.6 30.0 291.6 5.4 297.0
0 4
132 24.7 477.3 232. 244. 0.66 22.3 30.0 284.3 12.7 297.0
0 7
145 26.0 530.9 235. 249. 0.59 18.0 30.0 283.0 14.0 297.0
0 0

Graph of Pressure head against Distance

350.0
300.0
Actual pressure head Ideal pressure head Velocity head
250.0
200.0
Head (mm) 150.0
100.0
50.0
Elevation head Actual total head Ideal total head
0.0
5 18 31 43 78 105 132 145
Distance (mm)
 6.0 gallons/min
Expt Ideal

X Diamete Area P P Velocit v2 Z Actu Head Ideal

(mm r (mm2) ρg ρg y 2g (mm al Loss Total
) (mm) (mm) (mm) (m/s) (mm) ) Total (mm) Head
Head (mm)
(mm)
5 26.0 530.9 275. 275. 0.71 25.9 30.0 330.9 0.0 330.9
0 0
18 24.0 452.4 265. 265. 0.84 35.7 30.0 330.7 0.2 330.9
0 2
31 17.6 243.3 210. 177. 1.56 123.4 30.0 363.4 -32.5 330.9
0 5
43 16.0 201.1 145. 120. 1.88 180.6 30.0 355.6 -24.7 330.9
0 3
78 18.6 271.3 210. 201. 1.40 99.2 30.0 339.2 -8.3 330.9
0 7
105 21.6 367.0 237. 246. 1.03 54.2 30.0 321.2 9.7 330.9
0 7
132 24.7 477.3 250. 268. 0.79 32.1 30.0 312.1 18.9 330.9
0 9
145 26.0 530.9 255. 275. 0.71 25.9 30.0 310.9 20.0 330.9
0 0

Graph of Pressure head against Distance

400.0
350.0
300.0
Actual pressure head Ideal pressure head Velocity head
250.0
200.0
Head (mm)
150.0
100.0
Elevation head
50.0 Actual total head Ideal total head
0.0
5 18 31 43 78 105 132 145
Distance (mm)
 6.5 gallons/min
Expt Ideal

X Diamete Area P P Velocit v2 Z Actu Head Ideal

(mm r (mm2) ρg ρg y 2g (mm al Loss Total
) (mm) (mm) (mm) (m/s) (mm) ) Total (mm) Head
Head (mm)
(mm)
5 26.0 530.9 290. 290. 0.77 30.4 30.0 350.4 0.0 350.4
0 0
18 24.0 452.4 280. 278. 0.91 41.9 30.0 351.9 -1.5 350.4
0 5
31 17.6 243.3 210. 175. 1.69 144.8 30.0 384.8 -34.4 350.4
0 6
43 16.0 201.1 137. 108. 2.04 212.0 30.0 379.0 -28.6 350.4
0 4
78 18.6 271.3 210. 203. 1.51 116.5 30.0 356.5 -6.1 350.4
0 9
105 21.6 367.0 245. 256. 1.12 63.6 30.0 338.6 11.8 350.4
0 8
132 24.7 477.3 260. 282. 0.86 37.6 30.0 327.6 22.8 350.4
0 8
145 26.0 530.9 265. 290. 0.77 30.4 30.0 325.4 25.0 350.4
0 0
 Graph of Pressure head against Distance
500.0
400.0head
Actual pressure Ideal pressure head Velocity head
300.0
Head (mm) 200.0

100.0
Elevation head Actual total head Ideal total head
0.0
5 18 31 43 78 105 132 145
Distance (mm)

Calculation:
1)For the ideal pressure head in the case of 3.0 gallon/min,
P v2
+ +z=H
ρg 2 g

2
P v
=H − −z
ρg 2g
2
P ( 0.42 ×10 3)
=236.5− −30
ρg 2× 9.81× 103
¿ 236.5−8.99−30=197.6 mm

¿ Ideal pressure head value−Actual pressure head value∨ ¿ × 100

Ideal pressure head
¿

¿ 197.6−198.0∨ ¿ ×100
197.6
¿¿

¿ 0.2 2
 2)For the ideal pressure head in the case of 4.0 gallon/min,
P v2
+ +z=H
ρg 2 g

2
P v
=H − −z
ρg 2g
2
P ( 0.56 ×103 )
=269.5− −30
ρg 2× 9.81× 10
3

¿ 269.5−15.98−30=223.7 mm

¿ Ideal pressure head value−Actual pressure head value∨ ¿ × 100

Ideal pressure head
¿

¿ 223.7−223.0∨ ¿ ×100
223.7
¿¿

¿ 0.31

3)For the ideal pressure head in the case of 5.0 gallon/min,

2
P v
+ +z=H
ρg 2 g

P v2
=H − −z
ρg 2g
2
P ( 0.70 × 103 )
=297.0− −30
ρg 2× 9.81× 103
¿ 297.0−24.97−30=242.2mm

¿ Ideal pressure head value−Actual pressure head value∨ ¿ × 100

Ideal pressure head
¿

¿ 242.2−242.0∨ ¿ × 100
242.2
¿¿

¿ 0.08
 4)For the ideal pressure head in the case of 6.0 gallon/min,
P v2
+ +z=H
ρg 2 g

2
P v
=H − −z
ρg 2g
2
P ( 0.84 × 103 )
=330.9− −30
ρg 2× 9.81× 10
3

¿ 330.9−35.96−30=265.2mm

¿ Ideal pressure head value−Actual pressure head value∨ ¿ × 100

Ideal pressure head
¿

¿ 265.2−265.0∨ ¿ × 100
265.2
¿¿

¿ 0.07
5)For the ideal pressure head in the case of 6.5 gallon/min,
P v2
+ +z=H
ρg 2 g

P v2
=H − −z
ρg 2g
3 2
P ( 0.91× 10 )
=350.4− −30
ρg 2 ×9.81 ×10
3

¿ 350.4−42.20−30=278.5 mm

¿ Ideal pressure head value−Actual pressure head value∨ ¿ × 100

Ideal pressure head
¿

¿ 278.5−280.0∨ ¿ ×100
278.5
¿¿

¿ 0.05
Discussion:
From the experiment that we have conducted, we found that the ideal pressure
head value which is calculated by using Bernoulli equation is difference from the
actual pressure head value. The actual pressure head value will be smaller than the
ideal pressure head value because of the frictional losses of the fluid with the inner
wall of the duct when it is flowing through it. Besides that, when we were conducting
the experiment, it is hard to get the accurate result since the pressure head was not
static, the reading of the manometer was flowing up and down continually. It might
affect the result that we were trying to record. Moreover, the reading of the
manometer has not decimal readings while the ideal pressure head value has one
decimal place. The flow meter will have a parallax error too when we fixed the
reading of the volume flow rate before recording the value of the actual(experiment)
pressure head.

If the convergent-divergent duct is inclined upwards, the changes of the

distribution of the total head (H) will remain as a constant due to the theorem of the
Bernoulli equation. Besides that, the dynamic heads will also remain unchanged
because the diameter of the tube remain unchanged. The only thing was affected
would be the pressure heads, as the elevation is increasing when going up the tube,
the pressure head will decreases.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Bernoulli equation which used in this experiment proves that the
velocity of the fluid increases when the fluid flows from a wider duct to a narrower
duct. The pressure head decreases when the velocity increases.

Reference:
1. Bruce R. Munson, Donald F. Young & Theodore H. Okiishi, FUNDAMENTALS
OF FLUID MECHANICS, 7th Edition, Wiley Asia Student Edition.