FACULTAD DE INGENIERÍAS

ÁREA DE MAQUINAS HIDRÁULICAS

SISTEMAS DE TRANSPORTE DE FLUIDOS
LABORATORIO NO. 4 – SEMANA 12
TIEMPO ESTIMADO: 100 MIN

1. TITLE OF THE PRACTICE: VELOCITY TRAVERSE

2. PRE-REPORT:

🗸 The student must be clear about the concepts of velocity profile, average velocity, peak
velocity, total pressure, bulk mean temperature and ways to calculate the average velocity in a
pipeline.

3. OBJECTIVES:

3.1 General
🗸 A Determine the velocity profile in a pipeline.

3.2 Specific
🗸 Determine experimentally the velocity distribution
🗸 Establish the mean velocity in a duct
🗸 Establish the flow regime
🗸 Calculate the ratio of mean to peak velocity

4. MARCO TEÓRICO:

The TD1 Forced Convection Heat Transfer apparatus enables the students to investigate the
theory and associated formulae related to forced convection in pipes. Measured experimental
data enables the student to calculate heat transfer coefficients, the pipe friction coefficient and
various non-dimensional groups including Reynolds Number (Re), Nusselt Number (Nu) and
Stanton Number (St). The values obtained can be compared with those derived from accepted
empirical formulae and the validity of the Reynolds Analogy may be explored. The isentropic
efficiency of the fan unit can also be determined.

A pitot-measuring tube traverse unit on the apparatus allows the student to:

• study the velocity and temperature profiles of the flow across a diameter of the pipe,

• obtain more accurate predictions of the bulk mean temperature,

Figure 1 shows the general arrangement of the TD1 Forced Convection Heat Transfer
apparatus. The apparatus consists of an electrically driven centrifugal fan, which draws air
through a control valve and discharges into a U-shaped pipe. The fan speed remains constant
throughout. A British Standard* orifice plate is fixed in this pipe to measure the airflow rate.
This pipe is connected to a copper test pipe, which discharges into the atmosphere. The test
pipe is electrically heated by a heating tape wrapped around the outside of the pipe. The
power input to the tape is varied by adjustment of power control on the apparatus; the input
levels are measured by a voltmeter and ammeter on the instrument panel. The test pipe is
insulated with fiberglass lagging. The apparatus supports the pipework.

Figure 1. The TD1 Forced Convection Heat Transfer Apparatus

A thermometer measures the air temperature at the inlet to the test pipe. The mimic diagram
on the front panel displays the locations of the 13 thermocouples; seven are attached to the
test length, and six are located in the lagging wrapped around the test length (Fig. 2 and Table

1).
Figure 2. Dimensions and positions of thermocouples
The output from any thermocouple may be chosen with a selector switch fitted to the
instrument panel and measured with the electronic thermometer.
Table 1. Positions of thermocouples
Thermocouples
Number Position Temperature
1
2
3
4 Outer surface cooper tube
5
6
7
8
10 Inner surface insulation
12
9
11 Outer surface insulation
13
14 Traverse centerline

5. PROCEDURE

1. start the fan.

2. When air is flowing through the tube, slowly increase the electrical current to the heating
coil until a suitable value has been reached.
3. Run the unit for 1 5 to 20 minutes, by which time it Will have reached an equilibrium
temperature Check this by monitoring one of the thermocouples.
4. Set the pilot tube right against the far side of the duct and take readings of the manometer
and temperature.
5. Without altering the current setting, traverse the pilot tube across the duct in intervals of 1
mm, and note the results. The distance from the pilot tube centreline from the duct wall when
in contact with the wall is normally 1 mm.
6. After use, turn off the heater but allow the fan to keep working for approximately five
minutes before you switch it off. This will help to cool the test pipe and reduce any possible
damage to the thermocouples.

Pitot Static Tube

Enter the pitot static manometer readings, noting that the first measurement is at a distance of
1 m from the wall, and the last measurement is at 31 mm. The velocity must be zero at the wall
(the "non-slip” condition) when the distance from the wall is 0 and 32 mm. Temperature
readings across the duct may also be taken at the same time.
Table 2 Test Conditions
Readings interval (mm)
Ambient (Atmospheric) pressure (mbar)
Static pressure at probe (gauge) mmH2O
Static pressure at probe (gauge) Nm-2
Static pressure at probe (absolute) Nm-2-1 -1
Gas constant for air J.kg K
Average air density at pitot static tube kg.m-3

Velocity distribution
The velocity distribution across the duct is found from the equation:
∆𝑝 = 1
𝜌𝑎𝑖𝑟𝑉 2 (Equation. 1)
2
In this equation, ∆𝑝 is the pressure difference across the manometer in. 𝑉 is the local velocity
at the traverse position. The manometer scale is in units of column of 𝐻2𝑂.
From Equation 1 the local velocity can be calculated as function of the height of column of
liquid, the mean bulk temperature, and the local static pressure as:

𝑉= 2𝑔ℎ𝑅𝑇
√ (Equation. 2)
𝑝

Where (ℎ) is the height of column of liquid, (𝑇) is the local temperature, and (𝑝) is the local
static pressure.
An example of a distribution of velocities is the velocities of each point across the duct is
plotted in figure 4.
here are three possible ways of finding the average velocity across the duct, two of which are
incorrect. (Figure 3 compares the averages from three different methods).
 Arithmetic average of measured local velocities (incorrect)
 Averaging based on finding the area of a rectangle of the same area as the distribution,
as done, for example, when finding the mean effective pressure of an engine (incorrect).
 The sum of local mass flow should equate to the total mass flow through the duct
(correct).

Arithmetic average velocity

The average area can be calculated as:
𝟏𝑫
𝑽̅ = ∑
𝑽
𝒏
𝟎
Where 𝒏 is the total of readings
 Figure 3. Velocity Distribution

Area average velocity

The average area can be calculated as (See Fig. 4):
𝑫
𝒅𝒓 (𝑽𝒏+𝟏 + 𝑽𝒏 )
𝑽̅ = 𝟐𝑹 ∑ 𝟐
𝟎

Figure 4. Area average

Mass flow average velocity
If the density is assumed to be constant across the duct (See Fig. 5):
𝑫
𝟏
∑ 𝑽𝒓 𝒅𝒓
𝑹𝟐 𝟎

Figure 5. Flow mass average

Bulk Mean Temperature

The bulk mean temperature can be calculated from (See Fig. 6):
𝐷
1
𝑇𝑏 = 2 ∑ 𝑟 𝑑𝑟 𝑉𝑇
𝑅 𝑉̅ 0

Figure 6. Bulk Mean Temperature

Ratio of Average to Peak Velocities

The normally accepted ratio of peak to average velocities for a turbulent flow is 0.817,
compared with 0.5 for a laminar flow. Evaluates if the result obtained is consistent with the
established flow regime through the Reynolds number.
 Table 3. Velocity traverse
Distance from Pitot static Velocity (velocity*
Temperature (K) Radius (mm)
wall (mm) (mm H2O) (mm.s-1) radius)

⋮
AVERAGE VELOCITY (Top Half) SUM (Top Half)

⋮
AVERAGE
Total number SUM (Bottom
VELOCITY
of readings Half)
(Bottom Half)
Base length TOTAL AVERAGE VELOCITY

Table 4. Data for the calculation of Reynolds Number for the Flow
Density (kg.m-3)
Coeff of viscosity 𝜇 (kg.m s-1)
Average velocity (m.s-1)
Pipe diameter (mm)
 Table 5. Test identifier
Date:
Atmospheric pressure (mbar)
Ambient temperature (°C)
Fan pressure (mm H2O gauge)
Test length pressure drop (mm H2O)
Inlet temperature test section (°C)
Heater voltage (volts)
Heater current (amperes)

6. MATERIALS, EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENTS:

Table 6. Necessary Equipment and Materials

ITEM UNIT AMOUNT
TD1 Forced Convection Heat Transfer Apparatus UND 1
Barometer UND 1

7. CALCULATIONS AND GRAPHS

🗸 Prepare tables 2, 3, 4, and 5.

🗸 From the data in Table 3, make a graph of velocities through the duct.
🗸 Calculate the three possible ways to find the average velocity through the duct.
🗸 From the data in Table 4, determine the Reynolds number and the flow regime for the
experiment performed based on the mass flow average velocity and the mean bulk
temperature.
🗸 Determine the bulk mean temperature of the flow.
🗸 Determine the velocities ratio (Average/peak).

8. Safety

 Wear safety goggles and ear defenders, when working, near the discharge (outlet).
 Keep away from the test pipe. It will get hot.
 Make sure the air valve is open before you turn on the fan.
 Turn off the power If any thermocouple shows higher than 150 C.

9. STATE YOUR CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

10. ANNEX THE BIBLIOGRAPHY CONSULTED

PREPARED BY: Professor Elkin Ivan Gutiérrez Velásquez