FACULTY OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MALAYSIA

FLUID MECHANICS LABORATORY
TITLE OF EXPERIMENT
FORCED VORTEX FLOW (E6)
Name
Matrix No.
Group / Section
Supervisor
Date of Experiment
Date of Submission
Marks obtained (%)

1.0

Objective

The objective of this experiment is study the relationship between the surface shape of a
forced vortex flow and the angular velocity of a rotating liquid in a cylindrical tank.

2.0

Introduction

A vortex is the rotation of fluid elements around a common center. There are two types
of vortices, i.e. forced and free. In a forced vortex, fluid (or gas) circles around a centre,
while in a free vortex the medium spirals toward the centre. The speed and rate of
rotation of the fluid are greatest at the center, and decrease progressively with distance
from the center.
3.0

Theory

Figure 1 depicts a fluid contained in a cylindrical tank that rotates with a constant angular
velocity a bout the vertical z axis. The gravity vector acts in the negative z direction. For
steady-state rotation, the fluid rotates with the tank as a rigid body.

Fig. 1: Fluid in rigid-body rotation within a cylindrical tank, which rotates around the
vertical z axis with a constant angular velocity .
The theoretical expression relating the change in fluid height in Fig. 1 to the angular
velocity is given as
h h h o

where

2r 2
2g

h
h0

(1)
=
=
=
=

initial (non-rotating) surface height of the fluid,

height on the axis,
angular velocity, radian/second
radius of the cylinder,
2

acceleration of gravity.

Taking ho as datum (i.e. ho = 0), the theoretical height (hth) of a vortex surface
corresponding to a radius r from the axis at a constant angular velocity can be
expressed as
hth

2r 2
2g

2N 2 r 2

(2)

2g

where N is the rotational speed of rotating fluid (revolution/sec , rps)

Thus, the theoretical height (zth) of a vortex surface relative to the actual measurement
obtained from the experiment is
zth = zo-hth

(3)

where zo is the measured height of a vortex surface at the axis (i.e. r = 0)

4.0

Apparatus

A Cussons P6238 Forced Vortex Apparatus for the study of the shape of forced vortices
consists of a 250 mm diameter cylindrical, transparent vessel 180 mm depth, having two
pairs of diametrically opposed inlet tubes of 9.0 mm and 12.5 mm diameter. The 12.5 mm
diameter inlet tubes which are angled at 15 to the diameter, so that a swirling motion is
imparted to the liquid entering the vessel, are used as entry tubes for the free vortex
experiment. A smooth outlet is centrally positioned in the base of
the vessel and a set of push-in orifices of 24, 16, 12 and 8 mm diameter is supplied to
reduce the outlet diameter to a suitable value.
The profile of the vortex formed at the top of the vessel is determined by a gauge, housed
on a diametrically mounted bridge piece, which measures the diameter of the vortex at
various depths. This gives the co-ordinate points required to plot the vortex profile. The
forced vortex is created in the vessel described above by using as the inlet the 9 mm bore
tubes which are angled at 60 to the diameter. The input water from these tubes impinges
on a simple two blade paddle which acts as a stirrer/flow straightener. The two bladed
paddle rotates on a vertical shaft supported by a bushed plug, in the hole used as the
outlet for the free vortex experiment, and located at the top by a suitable hole in the
bridge piece fitting across the diameter of the vessel. This bridge piece also houses the
probes required to determine the co-ordinates of the vortex profile to be measured.

5.0
1.

2.

3.

4.

Experimental Procedure
Ensure that the control valve in closed condition (in clockwise direction) and the
outlet valve for the flow from the cylinder is fully open (in anti-clockwise
direction). Switch on the pump.
Gently, open the control valve (in anti-clockwise direction). The force of the
flowing water which enter into the cylinder will push the peddle blade to
rotate at required speed.
Ensure that the water level in the cylinder is at the maximum height and it is
maintained constantly. Use the outlet valve to control the water level in the
cylinder. To open the valve, turn the knob in anti-clockwise direction, to close it,
turn the knob in clockwise direction.
After the level of water is constantly maintained at the maximum height of the
cylinder, lower down each pointers of the vortex radius profile measurement
gauge to the surface of the water profile. At the same time, clock the time taken
4

5.
6.
6.0

(in second) for the peddle blade to rotate 50 cycle.

Measure the height of the vortex profile by measuring the height of each pointers
of the vortex radius profile measurement gauge. Record the data in the given table.
Repeat procedures (2) to (5) for two other different flow rates.
Experimental data and analysis

Measurement of surface height of forced vortex

No.

Time taken
for 50
cycles of
blade
rotation
(second)

Rotational
speed, N
(rps)

Probe Measuring Depth, zmea (mm) at different vortex

radius r (mm)
r = 110

r = 90

r = 70

r = 50

r = 30

r=0

Comparison of measured and theoretical height of vortex surface

N
(rps)

Height of vortex
surface (mm)

Probe Measuring Depth, z (mm) at different vortex radius

r (mm)
r = 110

r = 90

r = 70

r = 50

r = 30

r=0

zmea
hth
zth= zo-hth
zmea
hth
zth= zo-hth
zmea
hth
zth= zo-hth
7.0

Laboratory report

1. See handout (Laboratory Report Format)

2. Additional report requirement
a. Plot a graph of measured and theoretical values of z versus r for different
angular speeds.
i.

ii.

For each angular velocity, perform comparative analysis of measured and

theoretical profile, comment on the difference and discuss possible
sources of error.
Comment on the forced vortex profile with respect to angular velocity.

b. Plot a graph of measured and theoretical values of z versus r2 for different

angular speeds.
i.
ii.
iii.

Calculate the slope (z/r2) of each graph.

Calculate the value of hth/r2 from equation 1
Compare the values obtained in (i) and (ii) and comment the results with
respect to angular velocity

c. Briefly discuss factors contributing to errors or inaccuracy in experimental data

and propose recommendation to improve the results