FREE AND FORCED VORTEX

ME15B097
ME15B098
ME15B099
ME15B100

Introduction :
A vortex is a spinning, often turbulent, flow of fluid. Any spiral motion with
closed streamlines is vortex flow. In fluid mechanics, a distinction is often
made between two limiting vortex cases. One is called the free vortex, and
the other is the forced vortex.
To study the different types of vortices, we will practice some experiments
in laboratory. The objectives of these experiments are to figure out the
formation of the vortex (forced and free) and how they are influenced.

Theory :
A. Properties of a vortex:
o The fluid pressure in a vortex is lowest in the center and rises
progressively with distance from the center. This is in accordance with
Bernoulli's Principle.
o The core of every vortex can be considered to contain a vortex line, and
every particle in the vortex can be considered to be circulating around the
vortex line. Vortex lines can start and end at the boundary of the fluid or
form closed loops.They cannot start or end in the fluid. (See Helmholtz's
theorems.) Vortices readily deflect and attach themselves to a solid
surface.

o Two or more vortices that are approximately parallel and circulating in the
same direction will merge to form a single vortex. The circulation of the
merged vortex will equal the sum of the circulations of the constituent
vortices.
o Vortices contain a lot of energy in the circular motion of the fluid. In an
ideal
fluid this energy can never be dissipated and the vortex would persist
forever.
However, real fluids exhibit viscosity and this dissipates energy very slowly
from the core of the vortex. (See Rankine vortex). It is only through
dissipation
of a vortex due to viscosity that a vortex line can end in the fluid, rather
than at
the boundary of the fluid.

B. Helmholtzs theorems:
They describe the three-dimensional motion of fluid in the vicinity of vortex
filaments. These theorems apply to inviscid flows and flows where the
influence of viscous forces is small and can be ignored. Helmholtzs three
theorems are as follows:
o Helmholtzs first theorem:
The strength of a vortex filament is constant along its length.
o Helmholtzs second theorem:
A vortex filament cannot end in a fluid; it must extend to the boundaries of
the fluid or form a closed path.
o Helmholtzs third theorem:
In the absence of rotational external forces, a fluid that is initially irrotational
remains irrotational.

Helmholtzs theorems apply to inviscid flows. In observations of vortices in

real fluids the strength of the vortices always decays gradually due to the
dissipative effect of viscous forces.
Alternative expressions of the three theorems are as follows:
1. The strength of a vortex tube does not vary with time.
2. Fluid elements lying on a vortex line at some instant continue to lie on
that vortex line. More simply, vortex lines move with the fluid. Also vortex
lines and tubes must appear as a closed loop, extend to infinity or start/end
at solid
boundaries.
3. Fluid elements initially free of vorticity remain free of vorticity.

C. Vorticity
A vortex can be any circular or rotary flow. Perhaps unexpectedly, not all
vortices possess vorticity. Vorticity is a mathematical concept used in fluid
dynamics. It -can be related to the amount of "circulation" or "rotation" in a
fluid. In fluid dynamics,vorticity is the circulation per unit area at a point in
the flow field. It is a Vector quantity, whose direction is (roughly speaking)
along the axis of the swirl. The vorticity of a free vortex is zero whereas the
vorticity of forced vortices is non-zero.
Vorticity is an approximately conserved quantity, meaning that it is not
readily created or destroyed in a flow. Therefore, flows that start with
minimal vorticity, such as water in a basin, create vortices with minimal
vorticity, such as the characteristic swirling and approximately free vortex
structure when it drains.

By contrast, fluids that initially have vorticity, such as water in a rotating

bowl, form vortices with vorticity, exhibited by the much less pronounced
low pressure region at the center of this flow. Also in fluid dynamics, the
movement of a fluid can be said to be vortical if the fluid moves around in a
circle, or in a helix, or if it tends to spin around some axis. Such motion can
also be called solenoidal. In the atmospheric sciences, vorticity is a property
that characterizes large-scale rotation of air masses. Since the atmospheric
circulation is nearly horizontal, the (3 dimensional) vorticity is nearly
vertical, and it is common to use the vertical component as a scalar vorticity.
Mathematically, vorticity is defined as the curl of the fluid velocity :

The two most common quantities which are used to characterize rotating
fluids are:
the vorticity vector =
and
the circulation =
c

D. Types of vortex
A distinction is often made between two limiting vortex cases. One is called
the free (irrotational) vortex, and the other is the forced (rotational) vortex.

a) Free (irrotational) vortex

When fluid is drawn down a plug-hole, one can observe the phenomenon of a
free vortex or line vortex. The tangential velocity v varies inversely as the
distance r From the center of rotation, so the angular momentum,rv, is
constant; the vorticity is zero everywhere (except for a singularity at the

center-line) and the circulation about a contour containing r=0 has the same
value everywhere. The free surface (if present) dips sharply as the centre-line
is approached. The tangential velocity is given by:
v =

/ 2r

Where is the circulation and r is the radial distance from the center of the
vortex. In non-technical terms, the fluid near the center of the vortex
circulates faster than the fluid far from the center. The speed along the
circular path of flow is held constant or decreases as you move out from the
center. At the same time the inner streamlines have a shorter distance to
travel to complete a ring.

b) Forced (rotational) vortex

In a forced vortex the fluid essentially rotates as a solid body (there is no
shear). The motion can be realized by placing a dish of fluid on a turntable
rotating at (rad/sec); the fluid has vorticity of 2 everywhere, and the free
surface (if present) is a parabola.The tangential velocity is given by:

v = r
Where is the angular velocity and r is the radial distance from the center of
the vortex.

Experiment 1:

AIM:
Determine the profile surface of a forced vortex without discharge orifice.
Determine the influence of the inlet direction of the fluid in the system.
Determine the influence of the fluid inlet flow in the system.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
Hydraulic bench (FME00)
Equipment accessories of the forced and free vortex (FME14)
Chronometer

Experimental procedure:
Place the equipment in the hydraulic bench FME00 and connect it to Bench
with a fast connector in the taking T1 . Place the blind mouthpiece inside the
central hollow in the base of the cylinder . Introduce the helix with the axis in
the mouthpiece, so that it turns correctly.
Close the outlet valve and connect the pump in the bench with VCC closed.
Open gradually the control valve of the hydraulic bench, open the three way
valve to the left so that the water goes into the cylinder from a tangential
inlet placed 60 away and so that it goes out through the injectors.
Start to open the outlet valve of the equipment when the water almost gets
to the limit of the overflow and level the cylinder with that level, unloading
inside the volumetric tank. Fill with water the outlet flexible hose, when it is
full, pick up the hose and introduce it by the drain spillway of the volumetric
tank, in order to avoid that the bench pump runs out of the water.
This operation induces a siphon effect that increases the unload speed.
For each value of flux speed, the outlet valve must be adjusted until the
water flows through the overflow. Place the measure probes through the
superior part of the cylinder.

The surface of the profile is determined by lowering the measure probes

(needles) until they touch the surface of the water. Then, taking as a
reference the spillway level as zero and the marks in the needles, we can get
to know the depth that each probe has descended. We can also use the
diameter meter, in order to determine the vortex diameter at different levels
of depth.
The rotation speed of the helix is measured by timing the number of
rotations of the helix using the axis marked as reference.
The height meter is adjusted to the tank with nylon screws.
The depth of a diameter will be determined by using a needle of the height
meter, and the annexed scale as a reference.
Once the height of the different needles is registered, remove the support of
the needles and repeat the procedure for different inlet flows, graduating the
VCC with both inlet pipes (turn 180 the key of the three-way valve).

RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS:

In the experiment, the value of x has been measured for different radius.
We can calculate h in this way:
h = H0 - x [m]
Now, we just have to check that the values obtained adjust to a
theoretical curve like the following one:
h = h0 + w2.r2 /2g [m]
RPM=205
S.no

X(cm)

Y (cm) Theoretical

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

-7
-5
-2
-1
0
1
2
5
7

11.51
5.87
0.94
0.235
0
0.235
0.94
5.87
11.51

Y(cm)
experimental
12.3
6.2
1.12
0.3
0
0.3
1.12
6.2
12.3

Series1 - Theoretical
Series 2 - experimental

RPM= 193
S.no
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

X(cm)

-6.5
-5.3
-4.4
-1.6
0
1.6
4.4
5.3
6.5

Y (cm) Theoretical
8.79
5.84
4.02
0.53
0
0.53
4.02
5.84
8.79

Y(cm)
experimental
9.1
6.31
3.8
0.7
0
0.7
3.8
6.31
9.1

Series1 - Theoretical
Series 2 - experimental

RPM= 168
S.no
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

-7.1
-5
-3.3
-1.8
0
1.8
3.3
5
7.1

X(cm)

Y(cm)
experimental

Y (cm) Theoretical
7.96
3.95
1.72
0.51
0
0.51
1.72
3.95
7.96

7.8
4.2
2.1
0.7
0
0.7
2.1
4.2
7.8

Series1 - Theoretical
Series 2 - experimental

RPM= 150
S.no
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

X(cm)

-5.9
-3.9
-2.5
-0.9
0
0.9
2.5
3.9
5.9

Y (cm) Theoretical
4.38
1.91
0.78
0.1
0
0.1
0.78
1.91
4.38

Y(cm)
experimental
4.674
1.91
0.9
0.3
0
0.3
0.9
1.91
4.674

Series1 - Theoretical
Series 2 - experimental

RPM= 117
S.no
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

X(cm)

-6.2
-4.5
-2.5
-1
0
1
2.5
4.5
6.2

Y (cm) Theoretical
2.92
1.54
0.475
0.076
0
0.076
0.475
1.54
2.92

Y(cm)
experimental
2.55
1.7
0.6
0.15
0
0.15
0.6
1.7
2.55

Series1 - Theoretical
Series 2 - experimental

CONCLUSION:
1. As seen for the plots they are almost same.There is very small
deviation due to experimental error.
2. If there is no viscosity fluid can not rotate that is the flow is
irrotational. Without viscosity it is entirely impossible to create and
destroy vortices .Thats why viscosity is essential for formation of
forced vortices. Higher the viscosity of fluid, higher the energy
dissipation rate of the vortex .
3. By putting both inlets in radial directions exactly opposite to each
other cancels out force as well as torque. Hence there is no
additional torque and forces due to inlets .But by putting both
inlets in diametrically opposite directions only cancels out force

and thus torques will be generated and this will lead to torque and
leading to inaccurate results.
4. More the number of inlet channels, more uniform the flow will be
and this result in a more stabilizing effect of the vortex formed.
Thus better result.

Experiment 2:
AIM:
Determine the surface of the profile of a forced vortex with
discharge orifice

Determine the influence of the fluid inlet direction on the

system

Determine the influence of the fluid inlet flow on the system

Determine the influence of the size of the discharge orifice

Determine the influence of the vortex on the discharge flow.

APPARATUS:
1. Hydraulic bench (FME00)

2. Equipment accessories of the forced and free vortex (FME14)

o Waterbed
o Cylindrical container
o Pitot tube
o Rpm regulator
o Measuring probe
DESCRIPTION OF APPARATUS:
1.)Hydraulic Bench (FME00): Mobile hydraulic bench mounted on
wheels, with a cylinder and control valve to regulate the flow of
fluids. This unit is generally used for flow measurement.
2.)Waterbed: Container used to contain fluid (water) in free vorte
3.)RPM Regulator: Used to regulate the frequency at which the
motor rotates.
4.)Measuring Probe: Used to note the x and y co-ordinates of the
point at which observations are taken.
5.)Pilot Tube : Used to measure dynamic pressure at the point where
observations are taken
PROCEDURE:
1. Experimental procedure Place the equipment inside the work channel
of the Hydraulic Bench and connect it to the bench by the fast connector
to T1. Place an orifice mouthpiece inside the center of the cylinder base.
2. Close the outlet valve of the equipment. Connect the pump and open
gradually the control valve of the bench. Open the three-way inlet valve
so that the water goes into the recipient through the tangential pipes
adjusted at 60 and unload through the orifice inside the volumetric
tank.

3. Adjust the outlet valve until the water flows through the overflow, this
keeps the volume constant. When it is stable, the profile of the vortex is
measured as it was indicated in the previous practice.
4. Place the measure bridge in the superior part of the cylinder (as it was
made with the height meter) with the Pitot tube of 15 mm radius.
5. 9 Hold the scale to the Pitot tube and submerge until the measure
orifice is approximately 5 mm away from the profile of the vortex
surface. Then, insert in the measurement bridge a needle in the hole
which is 15 mm from the center.
6. With this needle, determine the depth of Pitot tube taking, as well as
the total height of the water column of the Pitot tube (from the taking to
the free surface of the fluid inside the tube). Repeat the experiment with
Pitot tubes of 20 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm.
7. This procedure must be carried out for different inlet flows with the
tangential pipe at 60 and the radial pipe at 15. For it, we must turn
180 the key in the same way, we will proceed to repeat the experiment
for each of the orifices supplied.
8. In order to study the influence of the vortex on the discharge flow, we
will carry out an additional experiment which is described next: with the
tangential pipe at 60, we will proceed to fill the deposit with one of the
supplied orifices.
9. Before the water arrives at the overflow level, playing with the inlet
flow (with the VCC) and the discharge valve, it will try to approach as
much as possible the stationary regime, that is to say, the maximum
height obtained by the fluid surface should keep more or less constant.

10. Once this is obtained, we will turn the three way valve at 180 so that
the water goes inside the radial pipes at 15. Observe what happens with
the water free surface.

RESULTS AND CALCULATIONS

Hereafter, the table of the different measurements of the vortex at several
rotation speeds (experimental and theoretical).

We choose to directly measure h.

We can calculate h in this way:
h=h0 - x [cm]
Now, we just have to check that the values obtained are close to a
theoretical curve like the following one

Experimental Observation
Flow
Rate
(lt/hr)

Angular
velocity
(rad/s)

1000
1200
1400
1600
1800

9.4
9.8
10.0
10.8
13.75

POSITION OF THE MEASURES

9.5

5.5

-3.5

-7.5

-11.5

4.3
4.6
4.9
5.5
8.7

1.8
1.7
1.5
1.8
2.8

0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
1.1

2.3
2.7
2.6
2.9
4.9

5.6
6.25
6.25
7.7
10.5

Pitot
tube
values
14.3
13.9
13.5
11.6
10.3

Theoretical observation
Flow
Rate
(lt/hr)
1000
1200
1400
1600

Angular
velocity
(rad/s)
9.4
9.8
10.0
10.8

POSITION OF TH6.5E MEASURES

9.5

5.5

-3.5

-7.5

-11.5

4.06
4.42
4.61
5.36

1.36
1.48
1.54
1.80

0.56
0.60
0.61
0.73

2.53
2.75
2.86
3.35

5.95
6.47
6.75
7.85

1800

13.75

8.7

2.91

1.18

5.43

12.75

SOURCES OF ERROR:
Parallax error affects the readings
Viscosity, Turbulence effects the flow of the fluid.

PRECAUTIONS:
1.)In free vortex allow the water to settle till the flow becomes
steady.
2.)In forced vortex do not touch the rotating cylinder
3.)Do not let the apex in forced vortex touch the bottom of the
cylinder.
4.)While measuring the lengths in free and forced vortices avoid
parallax error.

CONCLUSIONS
1. The experimental and theoretical graphs agree with each
other, the theory is verified.

2. Here, torque plays an important role in rotating the liquid

and is managed by the orientation of the two inlets. By
putting both inlets in radial directions exactly opposite to
each other cancels out force as well as torque.But by putting
both inlets in diametrically opposite directions only cancels
out force and thus torques will be generated.
3. More the number of inlet channels, more uniform the flow
will be and this results in a more stabilizing effect of the
vortex formed.
4.

5. The vortex size determines the shape of the hyperbola,

specifically.