Chapter 4

DYNAMICS OF FLUID FLOW

The study of fluids at rest is called fluid
statics

the study of fluids in motion is called

fluid dynamics

The fluid flow is governed by:

 Law of conservation of mass
 Law of conservation of energy,
 Law of conservation of momentum.
 STEADY AND UNSTEADY FLOW
A flow is said to be steady, if physical properties, such as
velocity, pressure or density do not change with time, at any
point.

If at any point, above characteristics, either one or some or all,

change with time, then the flow will be defined as an unsteady
flow.
 LAMINAR AND TURBULENT FLOW
Laminar flow is one where fluid particles move along a smooth
path in layers, with one layer sliding smoothly over an adjacent
layer.
-Laminar flow generally occurs when velocity of flow is small or
viscosity is high. The velocity distribution in closed conduit is
parabolic.
(Reynold’s Number less than 2000)
Turbulent flow is a laminar flow on which small but random
fluctuating motion is superimposed
(Reynold’s Number more than 4000)
 UNIFORM AND NON-UNIFORM FLOW
Uniform flow is one, where at every point of the flow field,
velocity is identical in magnitude and direction.
(Velocity is Constant)

 uniform flow is not possible in a real fluid, in the strictness

of definitions.

non-uniform flow is one where the fluid changes velocity from

point to point at any instant, it is non-uniform flow. (Velocity is
not constant)
 ROTATIONAL AND IRROTATIONAL
FLOWS
If the fluid particles, while moving in the direction of flow,
rotate about their mass centre, the flow is defined as a
rotational flow.
A flow will be considered irrotational, if fluid particles,
during moving in the direction of flow, do not rotate about
their mass centre. No irrotational flow can exist for a real
fluid.
3 Laws of Conservation-Fluid Dynamics

a. Law of conservation of Mass

b. Law of Conservation of Energy
c. Law of Conservation of Momentum
 Law of conservation of mass
(Continuity Equation)

-for steady flow, the mass flow rate

remains constant through any
section in the flow
 Inlet Exit
Inlet Exit

ection Direction
flow of flow

1 2
1 2

for incompressible flow 1   2 , then continuity or mass equation becomes

.
Q  A1V1  A2V2  cons tan t
Energy -the ability of doing work.

Fluid energy: Fluid may possess energy by

change of its elevation, velocity and pressure

Three forms of energy must be considered to

analyze the fluid flow. Those energies are
1. Potential energy
2. Kinetic energy
3. Pressure energy
Energy head (H) is given by this relation

2
V p
H z 
2g 
Head= Energy per unit Weight= Energy/Weight
 Law of conservation of energy
(Bernoulli Theorem) or Energy Equation

Bernoulli’s Theorem
For an incompressible and steady flow of a fluid
the total energy at any cross section remains constant.

Hp= Pump Head=Energy Addition to fluid

HL = Head Loss ( Major Loss+Minor Loss)
Assumptions made for Bernoulli’s
Equation
•Steady flow
•Flow with no friction,
•Flow along a streamline, and
•Incompressible flow
 Applications of Bernoulli’s Equation

a. Venturimeter
b. Orifice plate.
 Application of Bernoullie’s Principle
Orifice meter

An orifice is an opening (usually circular) in the wall of

a tank or in a plate normal to the axis of the pipe, the
plate being either at the end or at any intermediate
location of the pipe. This is used to find the discharge
through a pipe.

Venturimeter
A venturimeter is a device which is used to measure
both compressible as well as incompressible flow rate
through a conduit. G.B. Venturi, the famous Italian
physicist investigated its principle in about 1791.

Actual Discharge is given by

Limitations of Bernoulli’s equation

The Bernoulli’s equation is applicable only for

1.steady flow
2.Inviscid flow
3.Frictionless flow
Problem 4.1
A fluid of specific gravity 1.65 flows through a pipe as
shown in the figure. Find
(i) Velocity at Section 1
(ii) Velocity at section 2
(iii)Mass flow rate at section 1
(iv) Mass flow rate at section 2
Solution:
Problem 4.2 Referring to adjoining figure, find the

discharge in pipe 1 and velocity of flow in pipe 3

Problem 4.4 A fluid of specific gravity 1.75
flows through a pipe as shown in the diagram.
Determine:
(i) the velocity at ‘2’, using conservation of
energy equation
(ii) pressure Head at ‘2’
(iii) mass flow rate at ‘2’
Problem 4.5 A venturimeter is connected to a pipe as
shown in the diagram. If the coefficient of discharge is
0.95 find:
(i) Theoretical Discharge through the pipe.
(ii) Actual Discharge
Solution
Problem A fluid of specific gravity 1.15 flows through
a pipe as shown in the figure. Find:
(i)specific weight at section-1
(ii) velocity at section-1
(iii) Total energy at section-1
Problem: A fluid of specific gravity 0.78 flows through
a pipe,
as shown in the figure.
Determine:
(i) The discharge of the fluid through the pipe
(ii) velocity of the fluid at section-2.
(iii) Total Energy at section-2
Problem 2.6:
A venturimeter is connected to a pipe as shown
in the diagram. If the coefficient of discharge
is 0.95. Find
(i) Theoretical Discharge through the pipe.
(ii) Actual Discharge
 Energy Loss
Major Loss -Due to Friction

Minor Loss -Due to Fittings

Major Loss + Minor Loss= Total head Loss= HL

Bernoulli’s Equation by considering losses

Problem 4.6 A pipe carrying water tapers from 160
mm diameter at A to 80 mm diameter at B. A is 3 m
above B. The pressure in the pipe is 100 kN/m2 at A
and 20 kN/m2 at B, both measured above atmosphere.
The flow is 4 m3/min and is in the direction from A to
B. Find the loss of energy, expressed as a head of
water between point A and point B.
Problem 2.11: (Page 40)
Glycerine (specific gravity 1.26) in a processing plant
flows in a pipe at a rate of 700 Litre/s. The inlet
diameter is 60 cm, the pressure is 300 kN/m2. Find the
pressure at outlet (exit pressure) where the pipe
diameter is 30 cm. The outlet of the pipe is is 1.0 m
lower than the inlet of the pipe. Neglect head loss.
Problem Find the pressure at the section 2 if pressure at section
1 is 2 bars. There are no losses between section 1 and 2.
Exercises 5 (Page 43)
A fluid of specific gravity 1.6 flows through a pipe
as shown in the figure. Find
1. Velocity at Section 1 and 3
2. Discharge at section 2 and 3.
3. Mass flow rate at section 1.