Fundamentals

of Fluid Flow
 HydroDynamics (Fluid Flow)
-branch of mechanics that studies fluids in motion.

It is based on the following principles:

a) Continuity
b) Energy Principle (kinetic and
potential energies)
c) The principle of momentum
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Fluid Flow may be steady or unsteady; uniform or non-uniform; continuous;
laminar or turbulent; one-dimensional, two-dimensional or three-dimensional;
and rotational or irrotational.

Steady Flow
This occurs when the discharge Q passing a given cross-section is constant with time. If the
flow Q at the cross-section varies with time, the flow is unsteady

Uniform Flow
This occurs if, with steady flow for a given length, or reach, of a stream, the average velocity of
flow is the same at every cross-section. This usually occurs when an incompressible fluid
flows through a stream with uniform cross. section. In stream where the cross-sections and
velocity changes, the flow is said to be non-uniform.

Continuous Flow
This occurs when at any time, the discharge Q at every section of the stream is
the same (principle of conservation of mass).
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Laminar Flow
The flow is said to be laminar when the path of individual fluid particles not cross or intersect.
The flow is always laminar when the Reynolds number Re is Iess than (approximately) 2,100.

Turbulent Flow
The flow is said to be turbulent when the path of individual particles are irregular and
continuously cross each other. Turbulent flow normally occurs when the Reynolds number
exceed 2,100, (although the most common situation is when it exceeds 4000).
Discharge (Flow Rate)
The amount of fluid passing a section of a stream per unit of time.

It can be expressed as:

• Mass flow rate

• Weight flow rate
M = 𝜌Q
𝜌=mass density in kg/m3 or slugs/ft3 W = 𝛾Q
𝑄= discharge in m3/s or ft3/s Where:
𝑄= discharge in m3/s or ft3/s
• Volume flow rate 𝛾 = weight density in N/m3 or lb/ft3
Q = A𝑣
𝐴=cross sectional area of flow in m2 or ft2
𝑣 = mean velocity of flow in m/s or ft/s
TYPES OF FLUID
FLOW
Continuity
Continuous Flow
- It occurs when the discharge Q at every
section of the stream is the same.

−𝑁𝑜 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑖𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑟 𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛𝑜 𝑐𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑

𝑎𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑎 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑖𝑡.

Q1 = Q2 = Q3= constant
Continuous Flow
- It occurs when the discharge Q at every
section of the stream is the same.

Q1 = Q2 = Q3= constant
For incompressible fluid, ρ1 = ρ2
Q=A1V1 = A2V2= constant

For compressible fluids:

Q= 𝜌1A1V1 = 𝜌2A2V2 = constant
Benzene (s=0.88) flows through a 75 mm diameter pipe at a velocity of 3 m/sec.
Compute the Volume flow rate

Compute the Mass flow rate

Compute the Weight flow rate

Mercury (s=13.6) flows through a 0.15 m diameter pipe at a velocity of 5 m/sec.
Compute the Volume flow rate

Compute the Mass flow rate

Compute the Weight flow rate

A pipe line consists of successive diameters of 380-mm, 300-mm, and 250-
mm pipe. With a continuous flow through the line of 250 Lit/sec of water,
compute the mean velocity in each size of pipe.
Energy Principle (Kinetic And Potential Energies)
Kinetic Energy
-the ability of a mass to do work by virtue of its velocity.

1
K.E. = 𝑚 v2 Where:
2 v = mean velocity of flow
1𝑊
K.E. = v2 𝑚2
2 𝑔 K.E = kg ( 2 ) = Joule
𝑠

Kinetic or Velocity Head – intensity of the kinetic energy. It is also the

amount of energy per pound or Newton of fluid.
𝐾.𝐸
velocity head =
𝑊

𝑣2
velocity head = velocity head = m
2𝑔
Potential Energy
• Elevation Energy
-energy possessed by the fluid by virtue of its
position or elevation with respect to a datum plane.
Elevation Energy = Wz Where:
Elevation Energy = Mgz z = position of the fluid
Elevation Head – intensity of the potential energy. It is
also the amount of energy per pound or Newton of fluid.

𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦
Elevation Head = =Z
𝑊
• Pressure Energy

𝑊𝑝
𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 =
𝛾
𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑝
𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 = =
𝑊 𝛾

Where:
𝑝 = fluid pressure
Total Energy of Flow
The total energy or head in a fluid is the sum of kinetic and potential
energies.

Total Energy = Kinetic Energy + Potential Energies

Total Energy = Kinetic Energy + Elevation Energy + Pressure Energy

𝑣2 𝜌
Total Head, E = + +z
2𝑔 𝛾
Power and Efficiency
Power is the rate of doing work per unit of time.

Where:
E = total head
Note:
1 horsepower (hp) = 746 Watts
1 horsepower (hp) = 550 ft-lb/sec
1 Watt = 1 N-m/sec = 1 Joule/sec
If the velocity of flow in a 75-mm diameter fire hose is 0.5 m/s, what is the
velocity in a 25 mm diameter jet issuing from a nozzle attached at the end
of the pipe. Compute also the power available in the jet.
 Bernoulli’s Theorem

• It is from the application of the

principles of Conservation of
Energy.
• Originally formulated in 1738 by
mathematician and physicist
Daniel Bernoulli
ENERGY AND HYDRAULIC GRADE LINE
ENERGY GRADE LINE
A line that represents the elevation of energy head (in feet or meters) of water flowing
in a pipe, conduit, or channel. The line is drawn above the hydraulic grade line
(gradient) a distance equal to the velocity head (v2/2g) of the water flowing at each
section or point along the pipe or channel.

HYDRAULIC GRADE LINE

Also known as pressure gradient, hydraulic grade line 'is the representation of the total
potential energy of flow. It is the line that the water levels in successive piezometer
𝜌
tubes placed at intervals along pipe. Its distance from the datum plane is + 𝑧.
𝛾
Bernoulli’s Energy Equations

Neglecting head lost, the total

amount of energy per unit
weight is constant at any point
in the path of flow.

Energy Equation Neglecting

Head Loss
Energy Equation Considering Head Loss
 Water flows through a pipe at 130 L/s that changes gradually in diameter from 154 mm
at point A to 429 mm at point B. Point B is 4.6 m higher than point A. The pressures at point
A and point B are 70 kPa and 48.3 kPa, respectively. Assume that the datum line passes
through point A. Which of the following most nearly gives the head loss in the pipe?
 EA – HLA-B= EB
𝑉𝐴2 𝑝𝐴 𝑉𝐵2 𝑝𝐵
+ +zA – HLA-B = + + zB
2𝑔 𝛾𝑤 2𝑔 𝛾𝑤

Continuity Equation:
Q = AA VA = AB VB
𝜋 𝜋
0.130 = (0.154)2 VA = (0.429)2 VB
4 4
VA = 6.9793 m/s

VB = 0.8994 m/s
6.9793 2 70 0.8994 2 48.3
+ + 0 – HLA-B = + + 4.6
2(9.81) 9.81 2(9.81) 9.81

HLA-B = 0.053 m
A 50 mm pipeline leads downhill from a reservoir and discharges into air. If the loss
of head between A and B is 44.2 m, compute the discharge.

At pt. A:
• The container is open to
𝑃
atmosphere so, 𝛾𝐴 = 0
• The area of the container is
infinitesimal and since the
area of flow is inversely
proportional to the velocity,
2
𝑣𝐴
=0
2𝑔
A 50 mm pipeline leads downhill from a reservoir and discharges into air. If the loss
of head between A and B is 44.2 m, compute the discharge.

At pt. A:
• The container is open to
𝑃
atmosphere so, 𝛾𝐴 = 0
• The area of the container is
infinitesimal and since the
area of flow is inversely
proportional to the velocity,
2
𝑣𝐴
EA – HLA-B= EB =0
2𝑔

𝑉𝐴2 𝑝𝐴 𝑉𝐵2 𝑝
+ +zA – HLA-B = + 𝛾𝐵 + zB
2𝑔 𝛾𝑤 2𝑔 𝑤

Q = AB VB
𝑉𝐵2 𝜋
0+ 0 +45.7– 44.2 = +0+0 = 4 (0.050)2 (5.425)
2(9.81)

VB = 5.425 m/s
𝒎𝟑
Q = 0.0107 𝒔