EPS Chemical Engineering

Laboraory Notes

HERIOT - WATT UNIVERSITY School of Engineering & Physical Sciences Che ical Engineering !a"ora#ory No$$le Press%re &is#ri"%#ion
CONTENTS

Introduction......................................................................................................................................1 Objective...........................................................................................................................................1 Block Diagram..................................................................................................................................1 Basic Theory.....................................................................................................................................1 Method..............................................................................................................................................2 Operational otes.............................................................................................................................2 !"#$T% OT$...............................................................................................................................& 'e(erences.........................................................................................................................................& In#ro'%c#ion
Gases are different fluids from liquids in that they are compressible. The understanding of compressible fluids is important not only for general transport purposes but also in the operation of safety systems. i.e. pressure relief, bursting discs, control lines, etc.. This e periment demonstrates some of the characteristics of compressible flo!. "ne of the important effects !hich !ill be in#estigated is that of $cho%ing& a no''le. There is an operator&s manual for this apparatus a#ailable to the super#isor in !hich some other e periments to those mentioned belo! are a#ailable.

O"(ec#i)e
The main ob(ecti#es of this e periment are to in#estigate the effects of #arying the inlet and outlet pressures on the mass flo!rate of air through #arious no''les. )n addition the pressure distribution along the no''les for #arying outlet pressures is also in#estigated.

*loc+ &iagra
Pi P 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 #ir Flo$ %eter Po

Ti #ir Inlet from Filter !e"ulator Inlet Pressure Control Valve

To Outlet Pressure Control Valve

Nozzle

*asic Theory
)n the conditions at !hich the air is being used in this e periment, it can be assumed that it is beha#ing li%e an ideal gas. therefore
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EPS Chemical Engineering

Laboraory Notes

P.V = R. T
R = C p Cv

Cp Cv

and so, the #elocity through the no''le at a point, x, along the length of the no''le, can be e pressed as
u
2 x

1 Px 2. = R. Ti 1 1 Pi

similarly, the mass flo!rate through the no''le is

2 1 2 P2 2 G = At . . i . + 1 + 1 R. Ti
and the critical pressure ratio is
2 1 Px = Pi +1

!here 4 P Ti 8t G

2 2 2 2 2 2 2

ratio of specific heats at const. pressure and #olume. 0.3 for air under the conditions used in this e pt. 5ni#ersal Gas Constant absolute pressure 6Pi . inlet pressure7 inlet temperature cross.sectional area of the no''le throat mass flo!rate of air

8 no''le is said to be $cho%ed& !hen the bac% pressure is lo! enough for the critical pressure to be reached at the throat. The 9ach number is therefore 0 and no further reduction of the pressure !ill affect the mass flo!.

,e#ho'
:efore any e perimental !or% can be done the gauges must be calibrated against the inlet air pressure gauge !hich has been factory chec%ed against a master. Chec% all %nurled unions are tight. Close the outlet #al#e. 8d(ust the inlet #al#e to gi#e a pressure reading on the inlet pressure gauge, say +,, %N;m+. Note all the other gauge readings. 4epeat for a series of different pressures and construct a table of corrections for each gauge. )f the inlet #al#e is passing and a steady pressure cannot be obtained then balance the pressure by crac%ing open the outlet #al#e until the pressure remains steady at the required #alue. <or each of the no''les 8, :, = C, in#estigate the effect of changing the outlet pressure on the mass flo!rate of air for some fi ed inlet pressure. 8gain for each of the no''les, in#estigate the effect of changing the inlet pressure on the mass flo!rate of air for some fi ed outlet pressure. <inally, for no''les 8 = : only, in#estigate the pressure distribution along them at #arious outlet pressures for a fi ed inlet pressure.

O-era#ional No#es
0. The air to the apparatus is supplied by the main compressor #ia a reducer. This has been set and requires no further ad(usting. 8ir is s!itched on ; off by the #al#e on the !all.
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EPS Chemical Engineering

Laboraory Notes

+. To change no''les, gently loosen the %nurled unions holding the no''le in the line. Carefully loosen and disconnect each tapping point in turn !hile rotating the no''le to get access. E change the no''le !ith the one required from the bo pro#ided. Ensure $"& rings are in place. 4econnect tappings starting !ith no.0. Tighten all %nurled unions. NO Tools are required, hand tight is sufficient pro#ided the connections are fitted correctly. 1. 4emember that the rotameter has been calibrated at standard conditions 6i.e. atmospheric pressure . 0,0.1 %N;m + and +,oC gi#ing an air density of 0.+ %g;m 1 7. Therefore use the correction factor graphs a#ailable on the apparatus if conditions are different from abo#e. Note: before starting any experimental work the gauges must be calibrated against the inlet air pressure gauge which has been factory set against a master. NO tools are required to tighten/release knurled unions, hand tight if sufficient provided the connections are fitted correctly. The results should be plotted in the most appropriate !ay to compare !ith published trends and to illustrate the $cho%ing& of the different no''les.

SA.ETY NOTE

References
0. Coulson = 4ichardson, Chemical Engineering, #ol. 0, 6chapter on compressible flo!7 +. >ouglas, Gasiore%, S!affield, ?<luid 9echanics@. 1. Perry&s Chemical Engineers Aandboo%

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