Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics 1 (MMME1048)

Fluid Mechanics – Self-Assessment Example Sheet 6

Continuity, Bernoulli
Links to pages 68-95 Fluid Mechanics notes

Continuity

6.1. Water flows along a rectangular duct (cross-section 0.3m×0.25m)

with a mean velocity of 0.5 m/s. There is a cylinder within the duct
with a diameter of 0.2m, as shown in Fig Q6.1.

Calculate:
a) the mass flow rate of the water along the duct.
b) the velocity (v2) of the water in the space between the cylinder and
the duct.
Assume that water has a density of 1000 kg/m3

v2
v1 = 0.5 m/s

Duct cross-section is 0.2m diameter

0.3 × 0.25 m

Figure Q6.1

[ a) 37.5 kg/s, b) 0.86 m/s ]

6.2 The open tank shown (Figure Q6.2) contains water and is being filled
V3
through section 1 at v1 = 3 m/s and through section 3 at = 0.01
m3/s.
If the water level h is constant determine the exit velocity v2.

1
d1 = 5 cm
2
d d2 = 7 cm

Figure Q6.2
[ 4.13 m/s ]

Self-study sheets 2019-2020 Fluid Mechanics Semester 1

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Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics 1 (MMME1048)

6.3. Oil of specific gravity 0.91 enters at section 1 at a flow of

25 kg/hour to lubricate a thrust bearing (figure 6.3). The steady oil
flow exits radially through the narrow clearance (2mm) between
thrust plates.

Calculate:

a. the outlet volume flow in ml/s, and

b. the average outlet velocity in cm/s.

Specific gravity is density relative to that of water. Assume water density

is 1000 kg/m3.
 = 10 cm
Two circular discs
h = 2 mm

1 = 3 mm
Figure Q6.3

[ a) 7.63 ml/s, b) 1.21 cm/s ]

6.4. (This is a more difficult question!)

If the cylinder in Q6.1 moves along the duct with a velocity of
0.35 m/s in a direction opposite to the water flow in the duct,
a) what is the absolute velocity of the water v2,
b) what is the velocity of water relative to sides of the cylinder?

Assume that the mass flow rate of water along the duct remains constant.
Assume that water has a density of 1000 kg/m3

v2
v1 = 0.5 m/s
0.35 m/s 0.2m diameter
Duct cross-section is
0.3 × 0.25 m

[ a) 1.11 m/s b) 1.46 m/s ]

Self-study sheets 2019-2020 Fluid Mechanics Semester 1

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Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics 1 (MMME1048)

Bernoulli

6.5. In Question 6.1, if the pressure of water upstream of the cylinder is

2 kPa (gauge), what is the static pressure of the water at the side of
the cylinder (p2). Assume that the pipe is horizontal and ignore
pressure gradients in the vertical direction.

v2, p2
v1 = 0.5 m/s

Duct cross-section is 0.2m diameter

0.3 × 0.25 m

[ 1.76 kPa ]

6.6 Water (density 1000 kg/m3) flows through a pipe (1) of diameter
37 mm at a mean speed of 2.9 m/s and a pressure of 1.1 bar
absolute. Figure 6.6
a) Calculate the volume flowrate.
b) The pipe contracts to a diameter (2) of 28 mm. Find the velocity
and pressure in this section of pipe assuming that the density is
constant throughout.
c) The smaller diameter section of pipe then rises by 3 m. Find the
velocity and pressure in the pipe at this height (3).
3m

1 2
Figure Q6.6

[ a) 3.1210-3 m3/s, b) 5.06 m/s, 1.01 bar, c) 5.06 m/s, 72 kPa]

6.7. Petroleum of density 750 kg/m3 flows upwards through a

venturimeter with a vertical axis. The inlet diameter is 300 mm,
the throat diameter is 150 mm and the discharge coefficient is
0.97. A differential pressure transducer is fitted between, tappings
at the inlet and at the throat, the vertical distance between the
tappings being 750 mm.

What will be the reading on the transducer when the mass flow rate is
60 kg/s?

750 mm

[ 13.17 kPa]
Self-study sheets 2019-2020 Fluid Mechanics Semester 1
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Thermodynamics & Fluid Mechanics 1 (MMME1048)

6.8 An orifice plate flow meter is placed in a vertical pipe carrying

water, as shown. The pressure tappings 1 and 2 are connected by small
bore pipes filled with water to a vertical U-tube manometer containing
mercury (density 13600 kg/m3). The mass flow rate of water is 20 kg/s
and the discharge coefficient of the orifice is 0.6 with the given
geometry.

a) Using the orifice mass flow rate equation, evaluate the change of
piezometric head from plane 1 to plane 2.

b) Calculate the pressure difference p2 –p1.

c) Show that the change of piezometric head,

 
H PZ = z m  m − 1, where  m and  w , are the densities of mercury
 w 
0.1m
and water respectively.
m
d) Evaluate z m

2
0.05m
m
0.1 m

 zm
0.07 m
[ a) 2.91 m b) 30 kPa d) 0.231 m]

6.9 A pitot-static tube is placed at the centre of a 200 mm diameter

~
pipe conveying methane ( M methane= 16). The pressure differential
is to be read on a U-tube manometer containing a paraffin of
density 755 kg/m3. The methane pressure is 4.5 bar and its
temperature is 20C; the mass flow rate is 1.5 kg/s. If the mean
velocity in the pipe is 0.8 times the centreline velocity, what will the
manometer reading be? As pressure differences are small you may
assume the density of methane to be constant and should calculate
it using the Perfect Gas Law.

[ 81.7 mm]

Self-study sheets 2019-2020 Fluid Mechanics Semester 1

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