Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

Faculty Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and

Science
Department: Department of Mechanical and Materials
Engineering
Unit Code and Name UEME 2123 Fluid Mechanics 1
Experiment No.: 1
Title of Experiment: Flow through a Convergent-Divergent Duct
Laboratory Room No. and Name: KB731 Thermofluids Lab
Experiment Duration (hour): 3 hours
Number of Student per Group 5 students

Objective
To demonstrate the application of the Bernoulli equation as applied to the flow in a
convergent-divergent duct.

Latest updated: 24th April 2016

Theory:
The Bernoulli equation is given by the following relationsh ip

2 2
p1 v p v
 1  z1  2  2  z 2  H
1 g 2g 2g 2g

where 1 and  2 are the density of water

g is the gravitatio nal accelerati on
v1 is the velocity at cross section 1
v2 is the velocity at cross section 2
z 1 and z 2 are the elevation
H is the total pressure head
Water may be considered to be incompress ible, 1   2  
For a horizontal convergent - divergent duct, z1  z 2  z
The velocity of the flow v1 and v2 can be calculated from the cross sectional area
& the volume flow rate Q
The volume flow rate Q  v1 A1  v2 A2
 
A1  & A2 
2 2
d1 d2
4 4
Assuming no frictional losses in the Ideal case , H remains constant.
2 2
p1 v p v
 1  z1  2  2  z 2  H 0
1 g 2 g 2 g 2g
The Ideal Pressure Head is obtained from
2
p2 v
 z2  H 0  2 ( Ideal height of manometer column)
2 g 2g
However because of frictional losses, the actual H drops along the venturi duct.
Therefore the Actual pressure head is less than the Ideal Pressure Head.

Latest updated: 24th April 2016

Procedures

1. Make sure that the water outlet tube is directed to the sump of the apparatus.

2. Switch on the water pump.

3. Keeping the main input water flow valve fully open, adjust the bypass water valve
to control the volume flow rate.

4. Adjust the water flow rate to the maximum possible flow rate by closing the bypass
valve. Allow the flow to stabilize and to remove all air bubbles in the system.

Latest updated: 24th April 2016

 5. Fit the air pump provided to the right end of the manifold on top of the
manometers.

6. The pump is used to control the base line level of the manometer readings by
increasing or decreasing the pressure in the manifold. The base line need not fall
exactly at the zero line because the velocity calculations use only the pressure
difference.

7. The pressure in the manifold can be increased by pumping action of the air pump.

8. The pressure in the manifold can be decreased by pressing on to the needle valve on
the right hand side of the manifold to release the air in the manifold.

9. Take the volume flow rate reading and all the manometer readings. Enter the
readings into the spreadsheet in the computer provided for the purpose.

10. Adjust the bypass valve to decrease the flow rate to obtain different sets of
manometer readings for flow rates of 6.5, 6.0, 5.0, 4.0 and 3.0 gallons/min.

Quantity estimation
Item Description *Item category (e.g. per set/group of
student)
ET 400 Refrigeration Circuit with Variable
E 1
Load

*Item category
SP Sample or specimen
C Consumable
CH Chemical
W Labware, glassware, tool, and
components
E Equipment
S Software

Laboratory Report

1. Print out the spreadsheet containing your own experimental data and use it as the
results of the experiment.

2. Provide a sample of all calculations.

3. Your report must consist of Objective, Introduction, Procedures, Results, Discussion,

Conclusions and References.

Latest updated: 24th April 2016

4. In your discussion, include:

o Compare the Actual measured pressure head with the Ideal pressure head
calculated using the Bernoulli equation. Discuss any disagreement
between the two results.

o If the Convergent-Divergent duct is inclined upwards, what will be the

changes of the distribution of the corresponding total head H, the dynamic
(v2/2g) and pressure (p/ρg) heads?

Latest updated: 24th April 2016