VAAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

ADVANCED FLUID MECHANICS – EHFLM4A

TUTORIAL 1
Lecturer: Ms L Lerotholi Date: 27 February 2023

Question 1

A liquid is flowing at a volumetric flowrate of Q per unit width down a vertical surface. Obtain
form dimensional analysis, the form of the relationship between Q and the film thickness.

The flowrate Q is a function of density ρ, viscosity μ, film thickness δ and acceleration due to
gravity g.

Show that the volumetric flow rate is directly proportional to density if it is known that the
flowrate is inversely proportional to the viscosity.

Question 2

A liquid flows under steady state conditions along an open channel of a fixed inclined plane
to the horizontal.

a) On what factors will the depth of the liquid in the channel depend? (Hint: 5 factors)

b) Obtain a relationship between the variables using dimensional analysis (Hint: exclude
the angle from the analysis and include it as a separate dimensionless group

Question 3

A capillary tube has an 8mm inside diameter through which liquid fluorine refrigerant R-11
flows at a rate of 0.03 cm3/s. The tube is to be used as a throttling device in an air conditioning
unit. A model of this flow is constructed by using a pipe of 3cm inside diameter and water as
the fluid medium. (Density of R-11 = 1.494 g/cm3 and its viscosity is 4.2 x10-4 Pa.s; Density of
water is 1g/cm3 and its viscosity 8.9 x10-4 Pa.s)

a) What is the required velocity in the model for dynamic similarity?

Hint: For flow through a tube the Ne number can be expressed in terms of the Reynolds
number

b) When dynamic similarity is achieved the pressure drop is measured at 50 Pa. What is
the corresponding pressure drop in the capillary tube?

Hint: In this case the Euler number defines dynamic similarity with reference to the static
pressure drop
Question 4

A pipeline conveys benzene from one point to the other. A gauge attached to line reads 150
kPa. It is desired to check the gauge reading with benzene –over-mercury U-tube manometer.
Determine the expected height difference of the mercury in the manometer; if on one end
the manometer is open to the atmosphere and on the other end where the gauge pressure is
connected there is a 3 cm height of benzene above the mercury meniscus. (benzene density
is 876 kg/m3 and mercury 13600 kg/m3)

Question 5

The temperature of the earth’s atmosphere drops about 5 o C for every 1 km above the earth.
If the temperature of the air on the ground is 15 o C and the pressure is 760 mmHg. At what
height above the earth is the pressure 380 mmHg? Assume the air behaves as an ideal gas.

Use the following Hydrostatic equilibrium equation:

𝑑𝑝 + 𝜌𝑔𝑑𝑧 = 0

Question 6

A cylindrical tank is vented to the atmosphere that serves as a reservoir for octane before it
is piped to another location is 140 ft in diameter. Determine the pressure difference between
the top and bottom of the walls due to the octane when the tank is filled to a depth of 30 ft
(9.14 m). Why is the vent necessary?

NB: Atmospheric conditions are such that the pressure is 1atm and temperature 25 oC. SG of
octane is 0.701

Question 7

A continuous gravity decanter separates chlorobenzene from an aqueous wash liquid. If the
total depth of the separator is 1 m and the interphase is to be 0.6 m from the vessel floor,
what should the height of the heavy-liquid overflow leg be?
If the separator is to separate 1600 kg/hr chlorobenzene from 2100 kg/hr wash liquid, what
volume of the separator is needed?

The following information is provided

 The density of chlorobenzene is 1109 kg/m3 and that of the wash liquid 1020 kg/m3
 The wash liquid is the continuous phase
 The viscosity of the wash liquid is 0.72 cP

The following equations are provided:

 𝜌
𝑧 𝐴2 − 𝑧 𝑇 (𝜌𝐵 )
𝐴
𝑧 𝐴1 = 𝜌
1 − (𝜌𝐵 )
𝐴

100 × 𝜇
𝑡(ℎ𝑟𝑠) =
𝜌𝐴 − 𝜌𝐵

Question 8

A centrifuge bowl with 250 mm inside diameter is turning at 4000 r/min. It contains a layer of
aniline 50 mm thick. If the density of aniline is 1002 kg/m3 and the pressure at the liquid
surface is atmospheric, what gauge pressure is exerted at the wall of the centrifugal bowl?
You are given the following equation for the differential centrifugal:

𝑑𝐹 = 𝜔2 𝑟𝑑𝑚

Show all derivations clearly, starting with the equation above and explain all steps clearly

Question 9

Crude oil (Specific Gravity SG = 0.887) flows through the piping shown in Figure 1. Section A
is a 2 in schedule 40 pipe, Section B a 3 in schedule 40 pipe and Section C 1½ in schedule 40
pipes. An equal quantity of fluid flows through each of the section C pipes.

If the flow through entering section A is 6.65 m3/h, calculate:

a) Mass flow rate in each pipe

b) Average linear velocity in each pipe
c) Mass velocity in each pipe

Table 1: Standard pipe sizes (1 inch=1”= 25.4 mm)

Nominal size Outside dia. Schedule No. Wall thickness Inside Dia.
(inches) (inches) (inches) (inches)
½ 0.840 40 0.109 0.622
80 0.147 0.546
¾ 1.050 40 0.113 0.824
80 0.154 0.742
1 1.315 40 0.133 1.049
80 0.179 0.957
1½ 1.900 40 0.145 1.610
80 0.200 1.500
2 2.375 40 0.154 2.067
80 0.218 1.939
3 3.500 40 0.216 3.068
80 0.300 2.900
 160 0.437 2.626
4 4.500 40 0.237 4.026
80 0.337 3.826
160 0.531 3.438
6 6.625 40 0.280 6.065
80 0.432 5.761
160 0.718 5.189
8 8.625 40 0.322 7.981
80 0.500 7.625
160 0.906 6.813
10 10.75 40 0.365 10.020
80 0.593 9.564

A B C

Figure 1: Schematic representation of Question 1

Question 10

Crude Oil having a specific gravity of 0.93 and a viscosity of 4cP is drained by gravity from the
bottom of a tank. The depth of the liquid above the draw-off connection in the tank is 6 m.
The line from the draw-off is a 76.2 mm schedule 40 commercial steel pipe. Its length is 45 m
and it contains one ell and two gate valves. The oil discharges into the atmosphere 9 m below
the draw-off connection of the tank. Calculate the flow rate through the line in m 3/hr.

Hint

Initial guess of the velocity can be taken as 4 m/s

Figure 2: Frictional factor chart

Table 2: Effective surface roughness / Absolute Roughness

Surface ε [mm]
Galvanised iron 0.15
Commercial steel 0.046
Drawn tubing 0.0015

Table 3: Number of equivalent pipe diameters and velocity heads for different fittings

Fitting Number of equivalent Number of velocity heads

pipe diameters (Le/di) (K)

Sudden Contraction 20 0.4

Sudden Expansion 40 0.8
45 o elbow 15 0.3
90 o elbow 30 - 40 0.6 - 0.8
 90 o square elbow 60 1.2
Entry from leg of T-piece 60 1.2
Entry into leg of T-piece 90 1.8
Globe valve fully open 60 - 300 1.2 – 6.0
Check valve 7 0.15
Gate valve: fully open 7 0.15
¾ open 40 1
½ open 200 4
¼ open 800 16

Question 11

An orifice meter is used to measure the velocity of water flowing in a horizontal pipe (See
Figure 3). Using Bernoulli’s and the Continuity equations derive the proper formulae and
calculate the velocity of the water in the pipe.

The following data is provided:

 The Flow is turbulent

 The density of water is 1000 kg/m3
 Pressure: P1 is 200 kPa and P2 is 150 kPa
 Diameter: d1 = 50 mm and d2 = 20 mm

Figure 3: Schematic of the pipe line

Question 12

Water with a density of 998 kg/m3 enters a 50 mm pipe fitting horizontally at a steady velocity
of 1.0 m/s and a gauge pressure of 100kN/m2 (Refer to Figure 4). It leaves the fitting at the
same elevation, at an angle of 45 o with the entrance direction. The diameter at the outlet is
20 mm. Assuming the density is constant, the momentum and kinetic energy correction
factors at both the entrance and exit are unity, and the frictional loss in fitting is negligible,
calculate:

a) The gauge pressure at the exit of the fitting

b) The forces in the x and y directions exerted by the fitting on the fluid
c) The magnitude of the force

θ
u1
P1
S1

Figure 4: Flow through a reducing fitting

Question 13

A fluid is flowing in-between two cylinders. The inner cylinder radius is r1 and the outer
cylinder radius is r2. The outer cylinder is stagnant while the inner cylinder is moving at a
steady velocity of ub.

a) Develop the expression for the velocity using the relevant Navier-Stokes equation
assuming that the pressure drop per unit length is negligible.

b) If the inner cylinder is moving steadily at 2.5 m/s, what force is applied to cylinder
(inner) in order to attain this steady velocity? Assume the viscosity of the fluid is 0.1
Pa.s. The diameter of the inner cylinder is 4 cm while that of the outer cylinder is 9
cm, and the length of the cylinder is 2 m.

Useful Equations:
𝐹 = 𝜏𝑊 × 𝐴𝑊
 𝑑𝑢
𝜏𝑊 = −𝜇 × ( )
𝑑𝑟 𝑟=𝑎

Navier-Stokes Equations:

In rectangular co-ordinates

 u x u u u  P   2u  2u x  2u x 
x-component    u x x  u y x  u z x       2x     g x
 t x y z  x  x y 2 z 2 

 u y u y u y u y  P   2u y  2u y  2u y 
y-component    ux  uy  uz      2     g y
 x 
 t x y z y  z 2
2
  y 

 u z u u u  P   2u  2u z  2u z 
z-component    ux z  u y z  uz z       2z     g z
 t x y z  z  x y 2 z 2 

In cylindrical co-ordinates
 u r u r u u r u
2
u  P
   ur    uz r   
 t r r  r z  r
r-component
  1   1  ur
2
2 u  2 u r 

   ru r   2 2  2    g r

 r  r r  r  r  z 2 

 u u u u u r u u  1 P
  ur      uz    
 t r r  r z  r 
θ-component
  1   2u u  2u 
    ru   12 2  22 r  2   g 

 r  r r  r  r  z 

 u z u u u Z u  P
  ur z    uz z   
 t r r  z  z
z-component
 1   u z  1  2 u z  2 u z 
   r  2    g z

 r r  r  r  z 2
2

Question 14

A bingham plastic can be described by the following model of viscosity: 𝜏 = 𝜏𝑦 + 𝜇0 (−𝛾̇ ).

a) Derive an expression for the average velocity of flow through a pipe with internal
∆𝑃
diameter di when the pressure gradient 𝐿 = 𝜃 .
 Hint: Make use of the following equations provided as the starting point.

𝜏𝑤
8 ∙ 𝑢𝑎𝑣𝑒 4
= 3 ∫ 𝜏 2 (−𝛾̇ )𝑑𝜏
𝑑𝑖 𝜏𝑤
0
𝑑𝑖 −𝑑𝑃
𝜏𝑊 =
4 𝑑𝑧

b) What is 𝜏𝑦 in the above model? Explain what you mean.

Question 15

A pump draws a solution of specific gravity (SG) of 1.84 from a storage tank through a 3 in
schedule 40 commercial steel pipe. The efficiency of the pump is 60 percent. The velocity in
the suction line is 0.914 m/s. the pump discharges through a 2in schedule 40 pipe to an
overhead tank. The end of the discharge pipe is 15.2 m above the level of the solution in the
feed tank. Friction losses in the entire piping system are 29.9 J/kg. What pressure must the
pump develop? What is the power delivered to the fluid by the pump?

15.2 m

Figure 5: Schematic representation of Question 12

Question 16

A fluid is Non-Newtonian (time-independent). It has an apparent viscosity of (μap) and density

of 0.0351 Pas and 961 kg/m3 respectively. The fluid is flowing through a pipe of IDE 76.2 mm
and a length of 3.048 m
If the apparent viscosity if given by:
 ′
′
8𝑢𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑛 −1
𝜇𝑎𝑝 =𝐾 ( )
𝑑𝑖
Where K’ = 1.48 Pas0.3

Calculate ΔPf

Hint: Use the graph of f vs Re’

Question 17

A fluid is flowing in a horizontal pipe. It is known to be Non-Newtonian and the pressure drop
per length is said to be 917 Pa/m. The ID of the pipe is 37 mm.

The following data was recorded; Calculate uave

Table 4: Data relating the shear stress and shear rate

Shear stress (τ) [Pa] Shear rate (−𝜸̇ ) [s-1]

0.00 0.00
1.70 3.91
3.39 12.41
5.09 24.38
6.78 39.39
8.48 57.14
10.18 77.43

Use the following equation:

𝜏𝑊
8𝑢𝑎𝑣𝑒 4
= 3 ∫ 𝜏 2 (−𝛾̇ )𝑑𝜏
𝑑𝑖 𝜏𝑊 0

Hint: Determine τW first (using the equation from notes that relates τW to ΔP/L) and evaluate
the integral graphically or numerically.

Question 18

A non-Newtonian fluid flows in a tube viscometer with a length of 25 mm and ID of 5 mm.

The fluid is assumed incompressible and its density is 1655 kg/m3.
Table 5: Data is collected relating ΔP and Q

ΔP [Pa] Q [l/min]
15 0.005
55 0.015
101 0.025
151 0.035
177 0.04

Figure 6: Frictional factor chart for viscous non-Newtonian Fluids

a) Calculate
i) The apparent viscosity at each point
ii) The value of the shear rate at the wall for each data point
iii) Determine the power law coefficients (K and n)

b) If the fluid were flowing through a 10 m length pipe with an ID of 8 cm, at a rate of 25
l/min.
i) Calculate the ΔPf,
ii) Calculate τW

The following equations may be useful: