Experiment 5
To verify the Bernoulli’s theorem for steady flow of water
Introduction
Energy presents in the form of pressure, velocity, and elevation in fluids with no
energy exchange due to viscous dissipation, heat transfer, or shaft work (pump or
some other device). The relationship among these three forms of energy was first
stated by Daniel Bernoulli, based upon the conservation of energy principle.
Bernoulli’s theorem pertaining to a flow streamline is based on three
assumptions: steady flow, incompressible fluid, and no losses from the fluid
friction. The validity of Bernoulli’s equation will be examined in this experiment.
Objective
The objective of this experiment is to investigate the validity of the Bernoulli
equation when it is applied to a steady flow of water through a tapered duct.
Method
In this experiment, the validity of Bernoulli’s equation will be verified with the use
of a tapered duct (venturi system) connected with manometers to measure the
pressure head and total head at known points along the flow.
Apparatus
Hydraulics bench,
Bernoulli's apparatus, and
Measuring cylinder and stopwatch for flow measurement.
Procedure
Place the apparatus on the hydraulics bench, and ensure that the outflow
tube is positioned above the volumetric tank to facilitate timed volume
collections.
Level the apparatus base by adjusting its feet. (A sprit level is attached to
the base for this purpose.) For accurate height measurement from the
manometers, the apparatus must be horizontal.
Connect the apparatus inlet to the bench flow supply, close the bench valve
and the apparatus flow control valve, and start the pump. Gradually open
the bench valve to fill the test section with water.
The following steps should be taken to purge air from the pressure tapping points
and manometers:
Close both the bench valve and the apparatus flow control valve.
Remove the cap from the air valve, connect a small tube from the air
valve to the volumetric tank, and open the air bleed screw.
Open the bench valve and allow flow through the manometers to
purge all air from them, then tighten the air bleed screw and partly
open the bench valve and the apparatus flow control valve.
Open the air bleed screw slightly to allow air to enter the top of the
manometers (you may need to adjust both valves to achieve this),
and re-tighten the screw when the manometer levels reach a
convenient height.
If needed, the manometer levels can be adjusted by using an air pump to
pressurize them. This can be accomplished by attaching the hand pump tube to
the air bleed valve, opening the screw, and pumping air into the manometers.
Close the screw, after pumping, to retain the pressure in the system.
Take readings of manometers h1 to h6 when the water level in the
manometers is steady. The total pressure probe should be retracted from
the test section during this reading.
Measure the total head by traversing the total pressure probe along the
test section from h1 to h6.
Measure the flow rate by a timed volume collection. To do that, use a
stopwatch to measure the time it takes to accumulate a known volume of
fluid in the measuring cylinder. You should collect fluid for at least one
minute to minimize timing errors. You may repeat the flow measurement
twice to check for repeatability. Be sure that the total pressure probe is
retracted from the test section during this measurement.
Reduce the flow rate to give the head difference of about 50 mm between
manometers. Measure the pressure head, total head, and flow.
Perform three sets of flow, and conduct pressure and flow measurements
as above.
Observations and Calculations
Record the readings in following tables
Test Distance Pressure Total
Diameter Volume Time
section into duct Head Head
h1
h2
h3
h4
h5
h6
Test Flow Flow Pressure Velocity Total Head
Velocity
section Area Rate Head Head Calculated Measured
h1
h2
h3
h4
h5
h6
