Lab 4 – Bernoulli’s Theorem

Prepared for: Dave Springford

Prepared by: Zachary Heuss

Date Performed: Feb 11th, 2019

Group Members: Daniel Boudreau, Bawi Lavawng, Tarantej Sandhu, Edward Williams
Contents

Objective ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Theory ........................................................................................................................................................... 3
Apparatus ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
Procedure...................................................................................................................................................... 5
Experimental Data ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Appendices.................................................................................................................................................... 7

2
Objective

The objective of this lab was to test the validity of Bernoulli’s Theorem when applied to the flow of

water through a tapering circular duct.

Theory

Bernoulli’s Theorem states: when a fluid is steady state, incompressible, experiences minimal to no viscous

effects, and has no overall change in energy, then the following simplifications of the general energy

equation are valid.

𝑊𝑣 2 𝑊𝑃
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦: 𝑊ℎ + + = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
2𝑔 𝛾

𝑣2 𝑃
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑: ℎ + + = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
2𝑔 𝛾

𝜌𝑣 2
𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒: 𝛾ℎ + + 𝑃 = 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
2

The above equations relate that energy, pressure, or head (depending on equation), experience no overall

change. This allows for other values to be solved such as the fluid’s velocity, current pressure, elevation etc.

The viscous effects experienced by the fluid are negligible as long as the fluid is rapidly accelerating, as is the

case in a Venturi. The lower the initial flow rate, the more noticeable the viscous effects will be.

Because the elevation through the duct does not change, h = 0, the static pressure head P/γ = h and the

following equations can be derived.

𝑉2 𝑉12
ℎ+ = ℎ1 + = 𝑒𝑡𝑐.
2𝑔 2𝑔

(𝑉12 − 𝑉 2 )
ℎ − ℎ1 =
2𝑔

3
From the continuity equation Q = VA, V = Q/A:

𝑄2 1 1
ℎ − ℎ1 = ( 2 − 2)
2𝑔 𝐴1 𝐴

From the circular cross sections of the ducts A = (π/4)d2:

8𝑄 2 1 1
ℎ − ℎ1 = 2 ( 4 − 4)
𝜋 𝑔 𝑑1 𝑑

Where:

- h1 = measured static head at position 1

- d1 = duct diameter at position 1

- Q = volume flow rate

- H = calculated static head at position “x”

- D = duct diameter at position “x”

In this way the static pressure distribution can be calculated given one measured value of static pressure (h),

the measured flow rate and known diameters.

4
Apparatus

The apparatus that was used consists of a hydraulic test bench, a horizontal tapering circular duct, and a series

of manometers set against a millimetre scale. A probe is also included on the downstream end of the duct to

measure the pressure at the centre of the flow for each point throughout.

Procedure

1. Close bench supply valve and open system pressure control valve.

2. Close air bleed valve on manometers.

3. Start pump.

4. Gradually open bench supply valve and expel all air from the system.

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 5. Partially close system pressure control valve, open manometer air bleed valve and remove all air

bubbles from manometers and pressure tap lines. Manometer tubes should all overflow through

the air bleed tube.

6. Slowly reduce the flow by closing the bench supply valve until air is once again drawn in at the top of

the manometers. Continue closing the bench supply valve until a mid-scale position is indication on

the manometer columns. Close the air bleed valve to lock in the air in the space above the water in

the manometers.

7. With the total head probe fully inserted (to pressure tab #1), adjust flow rate using the bench supply

valve (primarily) and then system pressure control valve (as required) to obtain a maximum

manometer differential between manometers #8 and #6. (h8-h6 ≈ 240mm).

8. Then, with the probe withdrawn, read and record all monometer levels #1-#6.

9. Re-insert the total head probe to correspond with tap point #1. Beginning with this point., measure

and record the total head at each designated position along the length of the tube as indicated in Fig.

1.

10. Measure and record the flow rate twice with the volumetric tank.

11. Repeat steps 7 to 10 for a low flow rate (h8-h6 ≈ 40mm)

12. Shut off pump.

13. Cleanup – empty the tank and wipe up water from all surfaces with sponges and paper towels.

Experimental Data

The data collected in this Lab was collected in Table 1: Experimental Data in the Appendix. The data that was

recorded consists of a volume and fill time for the high and low flows described in steps 7 and 11 above,

respectively. It also consists of millimeter readings from the manometer bank and the total head

measurement at each point along the duct.

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Analysis of Results

High Flow

Calculated Calculated Measured

Velocity V = Velocity Head Static Head Total Head
Q/A hv = V2/2g hs %
Position Area
Variation
Calculated Measured
[m/s] [mm H2O] [mm H2O]
hv + hs ht

1 490.8739 0.3060 4.7720 230 234.7720 235 0.097%

2 167.4155 0.8972 41.0251 193 234.0251 236 0.837%
3 120.7628 1.2438 78.8450 155 233.8450 236 0.913%
4 100.2875 1.4977 114.3266 119 233.3266 236 1.133%
5 88.2473 1.7020 147.6514 77 224.6514 236 4.809%
6 78.5398 1.9124 186.4065 35 221.4065 235 5.784%

Low Flow

Calculated Calculated Measured

Velocity V = Velocity Head Static Total Head
Q/A hv = V2/2g Head hs %
Position Area
Variation
Calculated Measured
[m/s] [mm H2O] [mm H2O]
hv + hs ht

1 490.8739 0.0727 0.2696 129 129.2696 128 -0.992%

2 167.4155 0.2132 2.3176 122 124.3176 128 2.877%
3 120.7628 0.2956 4.4542 115 119.4542 128 6.676%
4 100.2875 0.3560 6.4587 108 114.4587 128 10.579%
5 88.2473 0.4045 8.3413 100 108.3413 127 14.692%
6 78.5398 0.4545 10.5307 90 100.5307 127 20.842%

The above tables include the calculated values for Velocity, velocity head, and total head, along with the total

head measured on manometer #8 and the static head measured with the probe.

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Discussion

The above tables demonstrate that the readings for total head were more accurate when the flow rate is

higher. The difference is caused by a less-rapidly accelerating flow in the low flow rate test, meaning more

viscous effects were experienced in the tube and Bernoulli’s Equation becomes less accurate, causing greater

variation. This difference in variation shows that Bernoulli’s equation holds true and can be used to calculate

values for fluids as long as the viscous effects in the duct are very minimal. This is known because the fluid’s

flow is in a steady state and it is incompressible and so the only cause for variation using Bernoulli’s equation

should be viscous effects.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the effects of low versus high flow rates were demonstrated in relation to using Bernoulli’s

equation to solve for fluid velocities. The lower flow rate was seen to have a greater variation between the

measured total head and the total head calculated using Bernoulli’s equation. This was due to the lower flow

rate causing the assumption of “rapidly acceleration flow” to no longer be valid, thus viscous effects were

more prominent and Bernoulli’s equation begins to lose accuracy.

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References
- An In-depth Explanation of the Venturi Effect and its Applications. (2019). Retrieved from

https://sciencestruck.com/explanation-applications-of-venturi-effect

- Bernoulli’s theorem | Definition, Derivation, & Facts. (2019). Retrieved from

https://www.britannica.com/science/Bernoullis-theorem

Appendix

High Flow Low Flow

25 Vol [L] 5 Vol [L]
166.5 Time [s] 140 Time [s]
0.1502 Q [L/s] 0.0357 Q [L/s]
Static Static
Diam. Total Head Total Head
Position Dist. [mm] Head [mm Head [mm
[mm] [mm H2O] [mm H2O]
H2O] H2O]
1 25 0 230 235 129 128
2 14.6 49.6 193 236 122 128
3 12.4 57.7 155 236 115 128
4 11.3 62 119 236 108 128
5 10.6 64.9 77 236 100 127
6 10 72 35 235 90 127
Table 1: Experimental Data

Sample Calculations for results data:

𝐿
𝑄 0.1502 [ 𝑠 ] 𝑚𝑚3 1 𝑚
𝑉= = 2
∗ 1000000 [ ]∗ 𝑚𝑚 = 0.3060 [ ]
𝐴 490.8739[𝑚𝑚 ] 𝐿 1000 [ 𝑚 ] 𝑠

𝑚
𝑉2 (0.3060 [ 𝑠 ])2 𝑚𝑚
ℎ𝑣 = =( 𝑚 ) ∗ 1000 [ ] = 4.7720 [𝑚𝑚 𝐻2 𝑂]
2𝑔 2 ∗ 9.81 [ 2 ] 𝑚
𝑠

ℎ𝑡 − ℎ𝑐 235 − 234.7720
%𝑉𝑎𝑟 = ( ) ∗ 100% = ( ) ∗ 100% = 0.097%
ℎ𝑡 245