FLOW OF FLUIDS

Dr. Anita Singh

 MANOMETERS

Manometers are the devices used for measuring the pressure

difference.

Three different type of manometers are:

1) Simple manometer

2) Differential manometer

3) Inclined manometer
 SIMPLE MANOMETER
 It is a device which measures pressure at a
point in a fluid contained in a pipe.
 This manometer is the most commonly used.
 It consists of a glass U shaped tube filled with
a liquid A of density ρA (kg /meter cube).
 Above liquid A the arms are filled with liquid B
of density ρB (kg /meter cube).
 The liquid A and B are immiscible and the
interference can be seen clearly
 If two different pressures are applied on the two arms the meniscus
of the one liquid will be higher than the other.
 Let pressure at point 1 will be P1 Pascal's and point 5 will be P2
Pascal's
 From the principle of fluid statics, The pressure at point 2 can be
written as:
Pressure at point 2 = P1+ (m + R ) ρ B g -------- (7)
where (m + R ) = distance from point 3 to point 5
Since the points 2 and 3 are at same height the pressure at 3 can be
written as:
Pressure at point 3 = P1+ (m + R ) ρ B g -------- (8)
 Pressure at point 4 can be written as:
Pressure at point 4 = P2 + gm ρ B --------------- (9)
in another manner the pressure at point 4 can be written from point 3 as:
Pressure at point 4 = P1+ ρB ( m + R ) g- ρA R g -------- (10)
Both the equations should be equal:
P2 + gm ρB = P1+ ρB ( m + R ) g- ρA R g
P1 – P2 = gm ρ B - ρB ( m + R) g + ρA R g
∆P = gm ρB - gm ρB - R ρ B g + R ρA
∆P =R (ρA- ρB )g -------- (11)
The important conclusion of Eq. 11 is it is easy to measure R value (meters).
Applications of simple manometer:

 Used for measurement of consumption of gases in chemical

reaction.

 It is used for measurement of flow of fluids e.g. Venturi meter,

Orifice meter and Pitot tube.
 REYNOLD’S EXPERIMENT
 The existence of streamline flow and transition to turbulent flow may
be demonstrated by Reynold’s experiment.
 A glass tube is connected to constant over head water tank.

 The rate of flow of water controlled by the coke.

 Dye solution is fed from a hypodermic needle forming a fine jet on

the pipe axis.
 At low flow rates a continuous, straight and steady line of dye may
be caused to flow down the whole length of the centre of the pipe.
 REYNOLD’S EXPERIMENT
 The color stream are seen as parallel lines.

 The flow of water is considered to be streamline.

 When the velocity of water increased, the colored line begins to waver
and the entire mass of water gets uniformly colored.

 Such type of flow is known as a turbulent flow.

 On reducing the flow of water again this turbulence is damped out

and the continuous dye line reestablished itself.
 REYNOLDS NUMBER
 In Reynold’s experiment the flow conditions are affected by four conditions:

1. Diameter of pipe, m (D)

2. Average velocity, m/s (u)

3. Density of liquid, Kg/m3 (ρ)

4. Viscosity of the liquid Pa.S (ᶯ)

 These factors are grouped into an expression:

Reynolds no. Re = Du ρ / ᶯ
 REYNOLDS NUMBER
 For practical purposes, if the Reynolds number is less than 2100,
the flow is laminar.

 If it is greater than 4000, the flow is turbulent.

 Flows with Reynolds numbers between 2100 and 4000 are

sometimes referred to as transitional flows.

 Most fluid systems in nuclear facilities operate with turbulent flow.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF REYNOLDS’ NO, RE
 if the Reynolds number is less than 2100, the flow is laminar.

 If it is greater than 4000, the flow is turbulent.

 Flows with Reynolds numbers between 2100 and 4000 are sometimes
referred to as transitional flows.

 The fluid in the middle of the pipe will be moving faster than the fluid next to
the walls.

 At constant velocity fluid can change from laminar to turbulent if pipe

diameters increased.

 Decrease in viscosity due to temperature change may also show similar

effects.