Mec3101: Test questions and Solution on Vortex Motion

Lecturer: Abdu Yearwood

November 7, 2023

Massay Example 9.2 Solution

A ventilating duct, of square section with 200 mm sides, includes a 90ž bend in which the centre-line of
the duct follows a circular arc of radius 300 mm. Assuming that frictional effects are negligible and that
upstream of the bend the air flow is completely uniform, determine the way in which the velocity varies with
radius in the bend. Taking the air density as constant at 1.22 kg · m3 , determine the mass flow rate when
a water U-tube manometer connected between the mid-points of the outer and inner walls of the bend reads
11.5 mm.
If the upstream flow is uniform, all streamlines have the same Bernoulli constant. Since friction is
negligible, all streamlines retain the same Bernoulli constant.

∂p∗ q2
+ =0 (1)
∂R R
where p∗ is the Bernoulli constant and q is the velocity.
Differentiating equation (1):
∂p∗ q
=− (2)
∂R R
Integrating equation (2) gives qR = constant = C, which represents the equation for a free vortex.
Using equation (9.16) from the text:

q2 C2
= 3
R R
Taking the derivative with respect to R:

∂p∗ 3C 2
= 4
∂R R
Integrating the above equation:

C2
 
1 1
p∗A − p∗B =− 2 − 2
2 RA RB

Substituting the given values:

C2
 
1 1
1000103 kg · m−3 × 9.81 N · kg −1 × 0.0115 m = − · 1.22 × 103 kg · m−3 −
2 0.422 0.222

Simplifying the equation gives C = 3.141 m2 · s−1 . The mass flow rate is given by Ṁ = ρq

Z 0.4 m
Ṁ = ρ(0.2) q dR
0.2 m

Z 0.4 m
dR
Ṁ = ρC(0.2)
0.2 m R

1
 = ρC(0.2) ln 2

= 1.22 kg · s−1 × 3.141 m2 · s−1 × 0.2 m × ln(2)

= 0.531 kg · s−1

Massay Example 9.3 Solution

The axis of a closed cylindrical drum is vertical, and its internal dimensions are as follows: the diameter is
400 mm, and the height is 560 mm. A small vertical filling tube (open to atmosphere) is connected to the
center of the top of the drum. The drum is filled entirely with oil of density 900 kg/m³ to a point in the
filling tube that is 40 mm above the inner surface of the top of the drum. Inside the drum and concentric
with it is a set of paddles with a diameter of 200 mm. What is the maximum speed at which the paddles may
rotate about their vertical axis if the pressure in the oil is not allowed to exceed 150 kPa (gauge)? It can be
assumed that all the oil within the central 200 mm diameter rotates as a forced vortex, and the remainder
moves as a free vortex.

Figure 1: Forced vortex about vertical axis formed in liquid in open container
∗
Solution: Since ∂p ∗
∂r is always greater than 0, the maximum p is at the greatest radius, and the maximum
p is at the greatest depth. Let ω be the angular velocity of paddles. Then, in the central forced vortex,
1 2 2
p∗ = ρω R + C (eqn9.19)
2
Let z = 0 on the bottom of the drum. Then, at R = 0.1 m on the bottom,

p = ρgh = 900 kg · m−3 · 9.81 N · kg −1 (0.56 + 0.04) m = 5297 P a = C

Therefore, at z = 0 and R = 0.1 m (the outer edge of the forced vortex),

1
p= · 900 kg · m−3 ω 2 (0.1 m)2 + 5297 P a = (4.5 kg · m−1 )ω 2 + 5297 P a
2
For a free vortex, qR = constant = K, but there can be no discontinuity of velocity, and so at R = 0.1
m, velocities in the forced and free vortices are the same. Therefore, K = (ω · 0.1 m) · 0.1 m = (0.01 m2 )ω.
For any type of fluid motion in a circular path,

∂p∗ q2
= ρ (eqn9.16)
∂(R2 ) R

Therefore, in this free vortex,

2
 ∂p∗ K2
= ρ (eqn9.16)
∂(R2 ) R3
2
whence p∗ = ρ − 2R K
2 + D, where D is a constant. Where the forced and free vortices join, there can be

no discontinuity of pressure. Hence, at z = 0 and R = 0.1 m.

(0.01 m2 )2 ω 2
p = (4.5 kg · m−1 )ω 2 + 5297 P a = −900 kg · m−3 +D
2(0.01 m2 )

Whence, D = (9.0 kg · m−1 )ω 2 + 5297 P a. So, at z = 0 and R = 0.2 m (outer edge of the drum),

K2 −1 2
2 2 2
−3 (0.01 m ) ω
p=D−ρ = (9.0 kg · m )ω + 5297 P a − 900 kg · m
2R2 2(0.01 m2 )

= 150, 000 P a

Therefore, ω = 135.6 rad · s−1 (i.e., 21.57 rev/s). In practice, the free vortex in the outer part of the
motion would be modified because the velocity of a real fluid would have to be zero at the wall of the drum.

Massay Further 9.9 Solution

Two radii r1 and r2 in the same horizontal plane have the same values in a free vortex and in a forced vortex.
The tangential velocity at radius r1 is the same in both vortices. We need to determine, in terms of r1 , the
radius r2 at which the pressure difference between r1 and r2 in the forced vortex is twice that in the free
vortex.
We start by considering the pressure difference between the two radii, denoted as p2 and p1 , in the forced
vortex and the free vortex.
In the forced vortex:
1
p2 − p1 = ρω 2 (r22 − r12 )
2
In the free vortex:
1
p2 − p1 = ρq12
2
Since we are given that the pressure difference in the forced vortex is twice that in the free vortex, we
can write:
2(p2 − p1 )f ree = (p2 − p1 )f orced
Substituting the expressions for the pressure differences, we have:
 
1 2 1
2· ρq1 = ρω 2 (r22 − r12 )
2 2

Cancelling the common terms, we obtain:

1
q12 = ω 2 (r22 − r12 ) ·
2
Now, we can use the relationship between the tangential velocity q1 and the angular velocity ω:
ωr1
q1 =
2
Substituting this into the equation above, we have:

(ωr1 )2 = ω 2 (r22 − r12 )

Simplifying, we find:
ω 2 r12 = ω 2 r22 − ω 2 r12

3
 Moving terms to one side of the equation, we obtain:

ω 2 r12 + ω 2 r12 = ω 2 r22

Simplifying further, we have: 2ω 2 r12 = ω 2 r22

Cancelling the common terms, we get: 2r12 = r22
Finally, taking the square root of both sides, we find:
√
r2 = 2 · r1

The radius r2 at which the √ pressure difference between r1 and r2 in the forced vortex is twice that in the
free vortex is given by r2 = 2 · r1 .
Note: The relationship between the tangential velocity q1 and the angular velocity ω arises from the fact
that in a circular motion, the tangential velocity is equal to the angular velocity multiplied by the radius.
By substituting q1 = ωr1 into the equation q12 = ω 2 (r22 − r12 ), we obtain (ωr1 )2 = ω 2 (r22 − r12 ). This
simplifies to ω 2 r12 = ω 2 r22 − ω 2 r12 . By rearranging the terms, we get 2ω 2 r12 = ω 2 r22 . Dividing both sides by
ω 2 and cancelling the common terms, we obtain 2r12 = r22 .

Massay Problem 9.11 Solution

A closed cylindrical drum of diameter 500 mm has its axis vertical and is completely full of water. In the
drum and concentric with it is a set of paddles 200 mm in diameter, which are rotated at a steady speed of 15
revolutions per second. Assuming that all the water within the central 200 mm diameter rotates as a forced
vortex and that the remainder moves as a free vortex, we need to determine the difference of piezometric
pressure between the two radii where the linear velocity is 6 m/s.

Forced Vortex
In a forced vortex, the piezometric pressure difference is given by:
1 2 2
p∗f orced = ρω r
2

1 2 1
p∗f orced = ρq = · 1000 × 62 P a = 18, 000P a
2 2
where q is the linear velocity at 6m/s.

Free Vortex
In the free vortex, the linear velocity at any radius r is given by q = Cr , where C is a constant.
Since the linear velocity is 6 m/s at r = R = 0.1 m, we can calculate the constant C:

C = qr = R2 = (30π rads/s)(0.1 m) = 0.3π m2 /s

Now, we can calculate the piezometric pressure difference in the free vortex at r = 0.1 m:
 
1 1
p∗f ree = D − ρC 2
2 r2

We need to find the constant D. Given that p∗f orced = p∗f ree at r = R = 0.1 m, we can set up the equation:
2 2
1 3 1 3 (0.3π m /s)
(1000 kg/m )(30π rads/s)(0.1 m)2 = D − (1000 kg/m )
2 2 (0.1 m)2

Simplifying this equation, we find:

D = 9000π 2 P a

4
 C 0.3π π
In a free vortex q = 6m/s when r = q = 6 m = 20 m

2 2
1 3 (0.3π m /s)
p∗f ree = 9000π 2 P a − (1000 kg/m )
2 (0.1 m)2

Simplifying this expression, we find:

p∗f ree = (9000π 2 P a − 18000)P a = 70.83 kP a

Difference of Piezometric Pressure

Therefore, the difference of piezometric pressure between the two radii where the linear velocity is 6 m/s is:

p∗f ree − p∗f orce = 70.83 kP a − 18 kP a = 52.83 kP a

Further problems (Homework)

Problem 9.7
An open cylindrical vessel, having its axis vertical, is 100 mm in diameter and 150 mm deep and is exactly
two-thirds full of water. If the vessel is rotated about its axis, determine at what steady angular velocity the
water would just reach the rim of the vessel.

Problem 9.8
A hollow cylindrical drum with an internal diameter of 250 mm is completely filled with an oil of relative
density 0.9. At the center of the upper face is a small hole open to atmosphere. The drum is rotated at 15
revolutions per second about its vertical axis. Determine the pressure of the oil at the circumference of the
drum and the net thrust on the upper circular face when steady conditions have been attained.

Problem 9.12
A hollow cylindrical drum has an internal diameter of 600 mm and is full of oil with a relative density of 0.9.
At the center of the upper face is a small hole open to the atmosphere. Concentric with the axis of the drum
(which is vertical) is a set of paddles with a diameter of 300 mm. Assuming that all the oil in the central
300 mm diameter rotates as a forced vortex with the paddles and that the oil outside this diameter moves
as a free vortex, calculate the additional force exerted by the oil on the top of the drum when the paddles
are steadily rotated at 8 revolutions per second.

5
Appendix: theory to consider for Ex. 9.3 and generally.

We have a closed cylindrical drum with specific dimensions, filled with oil of density 900 kg/m³. There’s a
small vertical filling tube open to the atmosphere, and inside the drum, there are paddles. The objective is
to find the maximum speed (angular velocity, ω) at which the paddles can rotate about their vertical axis
without exceeding a maximum allowed pressure in the oil (150 kPa gauge). We assumed the oil within the
central 200 mm diameter rotates as a forced vortex, while the rest moves as a free vortex.

1. The maximum pressure in the fluid occurs at the greatest radius (outer edge of the drum) and the
greatest depth (bottom of the drum).
2. In the central region with a 200 mm diameter, the motion is a ”forced vortex.” This means that the
fluid rotates in a circular path, and pressure within this region can be described using the equation
p∗ = 21 ρω 2 R2 + C. This equation represents the pressure distribution due to the forced vortex.
3. At the bottom of the drum (z = 0), we can calculate the pressure using p = ρgh where h is the height
of the fluid column above that point. This pressure is found to be 5297 Pa.
4. In the region beyond the central 200 mm diameter, the motion is a ”free vortex.” Here, we use the
concept that qR (product of velocity and radius) is constant, denoted as K. The velocity in the free
vortex is lower, so K is calculated using K = (ω · 0.1m) · 0.1m = (0.01m2 )ω.
∗ 2
∂p q ∗ K2
5. Using the equation ∂(R 2 ) = ρ R , we can derive p = ρ− 2R2 + D. This represents the pressure
distribution in the free vortex region.
6. At the boundary between the forced and free vortex regions (at z = 0 and R = 0.1m), we can equate
the pressures from the forced and free vortex regions. This equation allows us to solve for the constant
D.
7. The problem states that the maximum allowed pressure in the oil is 150 kPa. We set this value as the
pressure (p) and solve for ω to find the maximum allowed angular velocity.
8. We rearrange the equation involving p and D to solve for ω. The calculation involves substituting the
given values and constants.
9. The calculated value of ω is approximately 135.6 rad/s (or 21.57 rev/s), which represents the maximum
speed at which the paddles can rotate without exceeding the allowed pressure.

In this problem, the forced vortex is in the central region, where the fluid rotates more vigorously, and the
free vortex is in the outer region, where the fluid rotates less. What we wanted to determine the maximum
allowable speed for the paddles to ensure the pressure in the system does not exceed the specified limit
(150kPa, guage).