Experiment No.

: 02

FORCED VORTEX MOTION

Aim: To plot the surface profile and total head distribution of a forced vortex.

Theory: In a forced vortex motion the fluid mass is made to rotate by means of some external
source of power which exist a constant torque on a fluid mass and therefore example a vertical
cylinder containing liquid and rotating around its central axis with a constant angular velocity
flow through impeller of a centrifugal pump.

A forced vortex motion may be characterized as a cylindrical forced vortex motion and a spiral
forced vortex motion. In cylindrical vortex motion, the fluid mass rotates along a circular path at
a constant speed i.e. motion may be described by circular stream line. The spiral forced vortex
motion is a combination of the cylindrical forced vortex motion and a radial flow. In the case of
cylindrical forced vortex motion, the velocity distribution is given by following expression.

ut=rω …..(1)

where, “ut” is a tangential velocity at a radius “r” and “𝜔” is the angular velocity of fluid mass.
Therefore, the velocity of flow is directly proportional to its radial distance from its axis of
rotation.

In the cylindrical forced vortex motion, the free surface of the liquid is paraboloid of revolution.
Also, the rise of liquid level at the ends is equal to the full of the liquid level at the axis of
rotation. The equations of the water surface profile and the total energy line (figure 1) are given
by the following expression.
𝜔2 𝑟2
𝑦≡ …..(2)
2𝑔

And
𝜔2 𝑟2
𝐻= …..(3)
𝑔

Where, “r” is the horizontal distance, y is the vertical distance of any point on the free water
surface profile from the where is the horizontal distance, y is the vertical distance of any point on
the free water surface profile from the center of vortex and it is the corresponding distance on the
Total Energy line. The cylindrical forced vortex motion constitutes a rotational flow. The total
energy is constant along a stream line but varies from one stream line to another. i.e. the
Bernoulli’s equation is applicable to forced vortex motion.
Experimental setup:

The setup consists of perspex vertical cylinder open at the top and mounted on a steel plate. The
plate is rotate with the help of a variable speed motor. So, that the cylinder rotates about its
Vertical axis. A pointer gauge is mounted on graduated carriage at the top of cylinder.

Procedure:

1) Fill the cylinder with water to about one half of its height.

2) Rotate the cylinder at a constant speed. The free surface of water will take the form of forced
vortex.

3) When the conditions becomes steady i.e., the depth of flow at any particular point does not
change over a period of time, measure the speed of rotation.

4) Take the surface profile readings by lowering the pointer gauge at the center and touching the
water surface. Transverse it along a radius of cylinder on both sides.

5) Repeat step-2 and 4 for one more speed of the cylinder.

Graphs: plot radius v/s depth to obtain surface profile and plot radius v/s H to obtain total
energy profile.

Discussions: The surface profile and head distribution of forced vortex is a parabola. A forced
vortex is characterized in increasing tangential velocity for increasing value of radius.