A

LABORATORY REPORT

ON

EXPERIMENTAL WORK ON

LIQUID EFFLUX TIME FOR A TANK WITH AN EXIT PIPE

WHICH WAS PERFORMED ON

THE 29TH OF MARCH, 2021

BY

ADEKOYA IFEOLUWA ISAIAH

CHE/2016/006

OF

GROUP 2

AND SUBMITTED TO

DR. O. SANDA

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

UNIT OPERATIONS LABORATORY I

(CHE 409)

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING,

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY,

ILE-IFE,

OSUN STATE.

JUNE, 2021.
 Department Of Chemical Engineering,

Obafemi Awolowo University,

Ile-Ife,

Osun state.

June, 2021.

The Coordinator,

Unit Operations Laboratory I (CHE 409),

Chemical Engineering Department,

Obafemi Awolowo University,

Ile-Ife,

Osun state.

Dear Sir,

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

I, Adekoya Ifeoluwa Isaiah, with student registration number CHE/2016/006, write to

submit the report on the laboratory experiment conducted on “Liquid Efflux Time For

A Tank With An Exit Pipe”. The experiment was performed on the 29th of March,

2021 in the Chemical Engineering department of Obafemi Awolowo University,

Ile-Ife, Osun state.

This is done in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Unit Operations Laboratory I

(CHE 409).

Yours Faithfully,

Adekoya Ifeoluwa Isaiah

CHE/2016/006

II
 ABSTRACT

The experiment's objective was to evaluate the rate of liquid drainage via various

sized pipes (lengths and diameters). Water was the only liquid used.

Efflux time is the amount of time it takes for a particular volume of liquid to flow

completely through a pipe of a specific size. The physical properties of the liquid and

the roughness of the pipe, among other things, impact efflux time; nonetheless, the

dimensions of the exit pipe are the only ones taken into account here.

III
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL ……………….…………………………….……….II

ABSTRACT ...………………………..……………..……………………………….III

TABLE OF CONTENTS .………………………..………………….……….……IV

LIST OF FIGURES …..……………………………….………………………….…VI

LIST OF TABLES ……...……………………….…..……………………………...VII

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Effluence: A Background ……………………………………..……………1

1.2 Literature Review ……………………………………………………….….1

1.3 Theoretical Background ……………………………………………………...2

1.4 Objective Of Experiment ………………………………….……………….…6

1.5 Scope Of Experiment ………………………………………………………...6

CHAPTER TWO: EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

2.1 Equipments And Materials Used .………...……………….…………………7

2.2 Determining The Volume Of The Tank ………………..…………………11

2.3 Determining The Efflux Times For Draining The Tank …...……………..11

2.4 Assumptions ………………………………………………………………...12

2.5 Precautions And General Notes …………………………………………….12

CHAPTER THREE: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

3.1 Results …………………………………………………………………..…..13

3.2 Discussions ….………………………………………………………………18

IV
CHAPTER FOUR: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………….19

4.2 Recommendations ..………………………………………………………19

REFERENCES …..…………..………………………………………………………20

APPENDIX A: ROUGH DATA FOR EFFLUX TIMES …………………………...21

APPENDIX B: GROUP MEMBERS ……………………………………………….22

V
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Velocity Profile For Laminar And Turbulent Fluid Flows Through A Pipe .5

Figure 2: Pipes A - E ………………………………………………………………….7

Figure 3: Effluence Tank ……………………………………………………………...8

Figure 4: Measuring Cylinder ………………………………………………………...9

Figure 5: Ruler ………………………………………………………………………10

Figure 6: Stopwatch …………………………………………………………………10

Figure 7: Plot of efflux time te versus L/Ro ………………………………………….16

VI
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Experimental Efflux Time ………………………………………………….13

Table 2: Experimental Data For Pipes A, B, C, D & E And The Theoretical Efflux

Time …………………………………………………………………………………14

Table 3: The Theoretical Efflux Time And L/Ro …………………………………………………………15

Table 4: L/Ro, Average Reynold’s Number And Predicted Accuracy For Efflux

Time …………………………………………………………………………………17

VII
 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Effluence: A Background

The term efflux is defined in the dictionary as “something given off in or as if in a

stream” (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). In more technical speak, efflux time simply refers

to the rate at which a fluid exits a system. The efflux time varies depending on the

type of fluid. For example, the efflux time of a fluid with a greater viscosity or solid

particles will be longer than one with lesser viscosity or with fewer or no solid

particles. In piping, efflux time relies on the slope at which the pipeline is built to

allow gravity to work. This is because efflux, in the context of pipeline technology, is

the time it takes for liquid to drain out of a pipeline due to gravity or under the

influence of another driving force.

In the field of Chemical Engineering, effluence and the time required for fluids to

move out of systems is of extreme importance. This is because a knowledge of this

time is important in determining the efficiency of a plant and even whole industries.

Besides the important time determination that efflux time measurements present, fluid

viscosity, fluid density, Reynolds number, and other fluid characteristics can be

determined with a knowledge of the time it takes for a fluid to exit a system.

1.2 Literature Review

Bird et al. (2002) have established boundless examples and treatments on the matter

of transport systems and their mathematical modelling. We know that fluid flow is

classified according to the magnitude of their Reynolds number. This dimensionless

number is a function of the internal forces of a fluid, the diameter and length of the

pipe it is flowing through, fluid viscosity, fluid density and fluid velocity.

1
This flow can further be classified into Laminar, Transitional or Turbulent based on

the magnitude of the determined Reynolds number. Hence, since the way a fluid

flows out of and in a system is a function of its Reynolds number, its efflux time is

then a function of its Reynolds number.

Reynolds number that describes fluid flow that is characterised by fluid particles

following smooth path in layers is called Laminar flow. In this flow type, each layer

of fluid moves smoothly past surrounding layers with little or no mixing and the

Reynolds number has a value of less than 2100.

Turbulent flow, however, is characterized by a Reynolds number with a magnitude of

above 4000. Turbulent flows exhibit chaotic pressure changes and high flow velocity.

Translational flow is a sort of middle ground for flow systems. Transitional flow

systems are neither Laminar nor Turbulent and have Reynolds number with a

magnitude that lies between 2100 and 4000 (Bird et al., 2002).

Rott (1990) gives an interesting, yet brief history of the Reynolds number. He

describes Osborne Reynold’s flow visualization experiments and Prandtl’s

contribution to the field of Transport Phenomena and, consequently, Chemical

Engineering. It is important to note that these theories and considerations only work

for Newtonian fluids.

1.3 Theoretical Background

Fluid from a tank can be made to flow out of an open tank from a marked height h of

the tank through an orifice at the bottom of the tank or through a drain pipe attached

to this orifice. The fluid will drain out from the tank under the influence of gravity

and this flow is modelled below.

In solving tank effluence problems, two equations were proposed by Hart and

2
Sommerfeld (1995). The first equation describes a dynamic material balance for the

liquid in the tank while the second equation is a form of the orifice equation.

Hence, the dynamic material balance for the liquid in the tank is given as,
�ℎ
�
��
= − ��� (1)

where:

A = Cross Sectional Area of Tank

Ao = Cross Sectional Area of Orifice

� = velocity of liquid in tank

�ℎ
��
= rate of variation of liquid level in tank

h = height of liquid in tank

Also, the orifice equation:

� = �0 2�ℎ (2)

where:

C0 = Orifice discharge coefficient.

After reducing , the efflux time given as t with an initial fluid level of H becomes:

1 � �
������� = 0 ℎ
�ℎ (3)
�0 �0 2�

Equation (3) is a generalized equation for the efflux time.

When an isothermal macroscopic energy balance is applied to the exit pipe, the

velocity can be gotten as:

��0(�+�)
�2 = (4)
��

where:

3
f = frictional factor

g = acceleration due to gravity

H = liquid depth

L = pipe length

Ro = pipe radius

� = average velocity
16
Hence, if the flow of the fluid is laminar, � = ��
and equation (4) becomes:

���20(�+�)
�= 8µ�
(5)

Where:

µ = viscosity

� = density.
0.0791
However, if the flow is turbulent, � = ��0.25
and equation (4) becomes:

5/7
21/7 �4/7 �0 �1/4 (�+�)4/7
�= 0.07914/7 µ1/7 �4/7
(6)

The efflux time for the liquid in the cylindrical tank after integrating and substituting

is given as:
�+ �1
ln ( )
2 � + �2
���� = 8µ��
�40 ��
(7)

Further explanations and in-depth derivations of the above relations is given in

Appendix A.

The velocity profiles of Laminar and Turbulent flow are shown below.

4
 Figure 1: Velocity Profile For Laminar And Turbulent Fluid Flows Through A

Pipe

Reynold’s number can hence be determined from the diameter of the pipe, viscosity

of the fluid and density of the fluid. Mathematically, Reynolds number is determined

as:
���
�� =
µ
(8)

Where:

D = Pipe diameter

v = average velocity

� = density

µ = viscosity of fluid

5
1.4 Objective Of Experiment

This experiment observed the rate of effluence of water from a tank through exit pipes

of varying diameters and lengths. The aim of this experiment was to determine and

examine the relationship between Reynolds number, flow characteristic, pipe length,

pipe radius, efflux time and efflux velocity. Also, an indirect estimate of the loss of

mechanical energy caused by viscous dissipation in the water was measured.

1.5 Scope Of Experiment

This experiment determined the efflux times for the draining tank and the

instantaneous flow rate of the water through the pipes. This is dependent on the

diameter and length of the pipes, and the nature of the fluid (water) flowing through

the pipes. This experiment also sought to determine the Reynolds number for each run

through the pipes.

6
 CHAPTER TWO

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

2.1 Equipments And Materials Used

The equipments used in this laboratory session were an effluence tank, a ruler, a

measuring cylinder, a stopwatch, and five pipes of varying length and cross sectional

area labelled A, B, C, D and E.

The material used for this experiment was water obtained from the tap.

Figure 2: Pipes A - E

7
Figure 3: Effluence Tank

8
Figure 4: Measuring Cylinder

9
 Figure 5: Ruler

Figure 6: Stopwatch

10
2.2 Determining The Volume Of The Tank

The effluent tank was prepared and cleaned by filling it with water and allowing the

fluid to run out freely. The tank,with the hole closed off using a finger, was then filled

to the brim with water and the depth was determined using a ruler. Then, the tank was

topped up with 1L of water using a measuring cylinder. The hole of the effluence tank

was unblocked and the time taken for the water to completely drain out of the tank

was noted using a stopwatch and then recorded.

Similar determination and recording for 2L, 3L and 4L of water was then made in

succession.

Afterwards, the diameter of the tank was measured and recorded. The volume of the

tank was determined using the value of the depth of the tank and its diameter. This

volume was noted and recorded.

2.3 Determining The Efflux Times For Draining The Tank

First, the tank was filled with 1L of water with pipe A connected to it and closed off.

The pipe was then opened up and the time taken for the 1L of water to drain out of the

tank through the pipe was determined and recorded. This was done four more times,

topping the tank with exactly 1L of water each time, to get an average value and all

these values were recorded. After, the exact same process was used to determine the

efflux times of 2L, 3L and 4L of water through pipe A.

The above process was repeated for pipes B, C, D and E, with the measurements

taken five times each for 1L, 2L, 3L and 4L of water. All these values were carefully

recorded and tabulated.

Throughout each measurement, the type of flow exhibited was noted and recorded.

11
2.4 Assumptions

The following assumptions were made during the course of the experiment:

1. The water flowing through the pipes is at constant temperature.

2. There were no spillages or leakages throughout the course of the experiment.

3. The water used is of uniform density and viscosity (isothermal).

2.5 Precautions And General Notes

The following precautions were taken during the course of the experiment:

1. The tubes were handled carefully, taking care especially when swapping them out

for each other.

2. Error due to parallax was avoided when using the measuring cylinder.

3. The efflux time was recorded five times and the average value was used in order to

account for slight errors in stopwatch use.

4. The water was poured down the sides of the tank in order to avoid entertaining air

bubbles into the system.

5. The pipes were checked to be securely fastened before adding water to the tank at

every stage of the experiment.

12
 CHAPTER THREE

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Results

Water Density = 1000kg/m3,

Acceleration due to gravity = 9.98m/s2

Kinematic viscosity = 0.001kg/ms

R(tank) = 0.16m.

The theoretical efflux time is calculated using equation (7) established in chapter 1

(one) above. The exit velocity is also calculated as a function of the water height in

the cylindrical tank.

The Reynolds number is calculated using the already calculated exit velocity.

The pipes had the following values:

Pipe A (L = 60cm, D = 7mm)

Pipe B (L = 15cm, D = 4mm)

Pipe C (L = 60cm, D = 3mm)

Pipe D (L = 30cm, D = 4mm)

Pipe E (L = 60cm, D = 4mm)

The average computed values of the efflux times is shown in Table 1 below.

Appendix B, however, gives a rough tabulation of the actual rough values obtained

during the course of the experiment.

Pipe Length Pipe 1L 2L 3L 4L

(cm) Diameter tefflux(s) tefflux(s) tefflux(s) tefflux(s)

(mm)

No pipe No pipe 12.12 19.29 28.70 33.13

60 7 28.48 39.59 49.96 52.08

13
 60 4 50.71 73.18 120.53 146.16

60 3 115.06 229.98 319.80 422.87

30 4 93.70 109.82 167.24 187.08

15 4 89.66 98.36 138.62 167.11

Table 1: Experimental Efflux Time

V(m3) Height texp (s) Volumetric Vexp Reynold tcalc(s) L/Ro

of Flowrate (m/s) No

water (m3/s) x

in tank 105

(m)

Pipe 0.001 0.049 28.48 3.51 0.912 6386.63 1.634 171.42

A 0.002 0.099 39.59 5.05 1.313 9188.75 3.147

0.003 0.149 49.96 6.00 1.560 10922.22 4.556

0.004 0.199 52.08 7.68 1.996 13970.15 5.874

Pipe 0.001 0.049 89.66 1.12 0.888 3550.19 13.77 75

B 0.002 0.099 98.36 2.03 1.618 6472.34 24.47

0.003 0.149 138.62 2.16 1.722 6888.83 33.21

0.004 0.199 167.11 2.39 1.904 7619.17 40.61

Pipe 0.001 0.049 115.06 0.869 1.229 3688.63 48.42 400

C 0.002 0.099 229.98 0.870 1.230 3690.87 93.27

0.003 0.149 319.80 0.938 1.327 3981.36 135.04

0.004 0.199 422.87 0.946 1.338 4014.60 174.12

Pipe 0.001 0.049 93.70 1.07 0.849 3397.12 14.76 150

D 0.002 0.099 109.82 1.82 1.449 5796.94 27.55

14
 0.003 0.149 167.24 1.79 1.427 5709.94 38.83

0.004 0.199 187.08 2.14 1.701 6805.86 48.93

Pipe 0.001 0.049 50.71 1.97 1.569 6277.06 15.32 300

E 0.002 0.099 73.18 2.73 2.175 8699.37 29.51

0.003 0.149 120.53 2.49 1.980 7922.76 42.73

0.004 0.199 146.16 2.74 2.178 8711.27 55.10

Table 2: Experimental Data For Pipes A, B, C, D & E And The Theoretical

Efflux Time

Pipe tcalculated (s) L/Ro

60cm, 7mm 11.44 171.42

22.38 171.42

32.89 171.42

43.01 171.42

15cm, 4mm 13.77 75

91.63 75

129.53 75

163.97 75

60cm, 3mm 114.05 400

223.20 400

328.01 400

428.91 400

30cm, 4mm 51.12 150

98.22 150

142.09 150

15
 183.26 150

60cm, 4mm 52.23 300

102.23 300

150.23 300

196.45 300

Table 3: The Theoretical Efflux Time And L/Ro

Figure 7: Plot of efflux time te versus L/Ro

16
 V(m3) Height texp (s) Reynold tcalc(s) Accuracy L/Ro

of No

water

in tank

(m)

Pipe 0.001 0.049 28.48 6386.63 11.44 -1.49 171.42

A 0.002 0.099 39.59 9188.75 22.38 -0.77

0.003 0.149 49.96 10922.22 32.89 -0.52

0.004 0.199 52.08 13970.15 43.01 -0.21

Pipe 0.001 0.049 89.66 3550.19 13.77 -5.51 75

B 0.002 0.099 98.36 6472.34 91.63 -0.07

0.003 0.149 138.62 6888.83 129.53 -0.07

0.004 0.199 167.11 7619.17 163.97 -0.02

Pipe 0.001 0.049 115.06 3688.63 114.05 -0.01 400

C 0.002 0.099 229.98 3690.87 223.20 -0.03

0.003 0.149 319.80 3981.36 328.01 0.03

0.004 0.199 422.87 4014.60 428.91 0.01

Pipe 0.001 0.049 93.70 3397.12 51.12 -0.83 150

D 0.002 0.099 109.82 5796.94 98.22 -0.12

0.003 0.149 167.24 5709.94 142.09 -0.18

0.004 0.199 187.08 6805.86 183.26 -0.02

17
Pipe 0.001 0.049 50.71 6277.06 52.23 0.03 300

E 0.002 0.099 73.18 8699.37 102.23 0.28

0.003 0.149 120.53 7922.76 150.23 0.20

0.004 0.199 146.16 8711.27 196.45 0.26

Table 4: L/Ro, Average Reynold’s Number & Predicted Accuracy For Efflux

Time

3.2 Discussion

It was discovered during this experiment that the efflux time is also affected by the

pressure within the tank. The shorter the efflux time to drain the fluid, the higher the

fluid in the tank.

The efflux time was also impacted by the pipe's diameter and length. The efflux time

is proportional to the length of the pipe, and the efflux time is proportional to the size

of the pipe.

Pipe C (L = 60cm, D = 3mm) has the longest experimental and theoretical efflux time

which were 422.87s and 174.12s respectively. It was also observed that the flow in

the pipe is both turbulent (Re > 4000) and laminar (Re < 2100) across the different

pipes A to E used.

18
 CHAPTER FOUR

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1 Conclusion

According to the experiment, the efflux time varies with pipe length and diameter.

The experimental efflux time, laminar efflux time, and turbulent efflux time are all

different in the results and discussion.

It shows that the efflux time rises as the pipe length increases. It took significantly

longer for a longer pipe with the same diameter and condition to drain completely

than a shorter pipe with the same diameter and condition.

A wider diameter is a major benefit for a rapid experiment. A big pipe allows the

liquids to drain more quickly from the tank. The pipe's diameter is much more

advantageous than its length. A pipe with a higher length to radius ratio drains quicker

than one with a lower ratio because it has more area to drain.

Finally, a pipe with a length of 60cm and a diameter of 4mm had a longer efflux time

than a pipe with a length of 15cm and a diameter of 4mm, according to the results.

4.2 Recommendations

A automated technique of sealing up the pipe's tip should be utilized instead of fingers.

This reduces the amount of stress experienced by the participant in the experiment.

In a clear tank, the water level will be apparent, and the value record will be more

exact. It took the description to realize it had reached the bottom of the tank, which

wasn't intended to happen. A transparent tank will debunk any assumptions that have

been made.

19
 REFERENCES

Bird, R.B., W.E. Stewart, and E.N. Lightfoot, Transport Phenomena, 2nd ed. John

Wiley and Sons, New York (2002).

Merriam-Webster Dictionary (n.d.)

Rott, N (1990). Note on the History of the Reynolds Number. , 22(1),

1–12. doi:10.1146/annurev.fl.22.010190.000245

20
 APPENDIX A

Rough Data For Efflux Times

1Lt 2Lt 3Lt 4Lt

No Pipe 0:12:11 0:19:12 0:32:97 0:33:14

0:12:08 0:19:25 0:33:07 0:33:00

0:12:10 0:19:48 0:33:15 0:33:10

Pipe A 0:45:05 0:35:35 1:08:65 0:47:88

0:45:10 0:35:21 1:08:63 0:47:87

0:45:25 0:35:25 1:05:95 0:47:86

Pipe B 1:06:89 2:27:10 1:58:02 2:28:61

1:07:55 2:26:92 1:55:07 2:28:60

1:06:37 2:27:17 1:55:14 2:28:52

Pipe C 1:50:47 3:38:53 5:14:35 6:51:20

1:50:07 3:38:44 5:14:53 6:51:11

1:49:92 3:38:21 5:14:24 6:49:59

Pipe D 1:21:34 2:36:78 1:58:30 2:31:80

1:21:16 2:36:42 1:58:32 2:31:91

1:21:26 2:36:91 1:58:37 2:32:00

Pipe E 1:37:61 1:51:89 2:27:11 3:03:27

1:37:76 1:41:40 2:27:53 3:02:75

1:37:94 1:51:37 2:27:37 3:03:13

21
 APPENDIX B

Group Members

CHE/2016/006 ADEKOYA IFEOLUWA ISAIAH

CHE/2016/019 AKINLEYE OYINBAYODE PETERS

CHE/2016/025 ANIFOWOSE MOYINOLUWA BLESSING

CHE/2016/036 EFUNYOLA DAVID OPEYEMI

CHE/2016/042 FAJOBI DAVID OLANREWAJU

CHE/2016/055 OBAZENU OGHENETEGA ILERIOLUWA

CHE/2016/063 OLADELE EMMANUEL

CHE/2016/073 OSIJONWO OLUWATOMISIN PRECIOUS

CHE/2016/079 SANNI MUHAMMED OPEOLUWA

CHE/2016/095 OBIENYI PEACE OLUEBUBE

CHE/2016/100 ONUK UTIBEABASI ETETIM

22