Experiment 10

Objective:
To measure the surface profile of a forced vortex.
To investigate the physical phenomena associated with a free vortex.
Apparatus:
 Hydraulic bench.
 Forced vortex.
 stop watch.

Derivation:
Forced vortex:

As the velocity at the center of forced vortex is zero,

vat center = 0
and also P1andP2
both lie on the same free surface hence

P1 = P2 = 0
Dividing the whole equation by ρg.

We get;

The relationship between tangential velocity and angular velocity is;

 v = rω
Hence,

Procedure:
Forced Vortex

Position the apparatus into the working channel of the bench and connect the
supply. Place the blanking plug in to the central hole in the base of the cylinder.
Press the paddle onto the stud. Connect a flexible hose to the outlet pipe and close
the outlet valve.
 Switch on the bench pump, open the bench control valve and open the three way
inlet valve so that water enters the cylinder from the 9mm tangential inlet ports, set
at 60 degrees, and leaves through the larger ports, discharging into the volumetric
tank.
 Raise the outlet pipe and allow it to fill with water, then lower it into the volumetric
tank. This induces a symphonic effect hence increasing the discharge rate.
Procedure - Taking a Set of Results
Forced Vortex:
 For each value of flow rate the outlet valve should be adjusted until water just flows
through the overflow cut-outs.
 Place the bridge with the measuring needles across the top of the cylinder. The
profile of the surface is determined by lowering the measuring needles until they
just touch the water surface.
 The speed of rotation of the paddle is measured by timing a number of paddle rotations
using the marker spot as a reference.
 Remove the bridge and record the length of each needle.
Observation & Calculation:

Observations Number of Time Revs Radius Measured Height Calculated Error

revolutions (t) Per R needle From Height %
(N) Second (m) length Datum h
Rps (w) hm hd (m)
(m) (m)
1 40 20 2 0.110 13.12 2.58 13.21 0.68
2 40 20 2 0.090 14.3 1.4 14.3651 0.45
3 40 20 2 0.070 14.9 0.8 14.89 0.067
4 40 20 2 0.050 15.3 0.4 15.29 0.065
5 40 20 2 0.030 15.6 0.1 15.5 0.64
Applications of forced vortex:
 Free vortex applications play a crucial role in hydrodynamics research, aiding scientists in
understanding natural water flow patterns, such as whirlpools and tornadoes.
 Forced vortex concepts find application in fluid dynamics education, helping students
grasp the principles behind controlled rotational motion in fluids through experiments and
simulations.
 Free vortex is employed in the design of certain types of turbines, optimizing energy
transfer by allowing fluid to rotate freely, enhancing efficiency in power generation
systems.
 Forced vortex is utilized in industrial mixing processes, ensuring thorough blending of
liquids in applications like chemical processing and manufacturing.
 Free vortex patterns are studied in atmospheric modeling to comprehend large-scale
weather phenomena, contributing to improved weather prediction models and disaster
preparedness.