Kieren Smith D19

Experiment 1 Tank Efflux

26/02/11

Experiment 4 Velocity Profile Learning Outcome

Theory
From the theory, we expect with high pressure the discharge will be high. So as the volume of the water in the tank decreases and the pressure sub sequentially decreases, the discharge will decrease. This only applies to variable head. If the volume is at constant head the discharge will remain the same, as the velocity of the water being pumped into the tank, up will be equal to the velocity of discharge of the u. This can be supported by the continuity equation UpA1 = U1A2 To determine the average discharge velocity of the water from the exit orifice under constant head conditions, equation 1 below can be used

Equation 1 Where Q is the volumetric rate of discharge and A is the cross-sectional area of the exit orifice. A is calculated using

Equation 2 Where r is the radius Also equation 3 always us to calculate the velocity of discharge

Where g is th acceleration due to gravity and h is the height of water above the exit pipe. As the orifice is 4.2 mm below the base of the tank, we can assume the value of h to be 19 cm + 0.42 cm = 19.42cm. Equation for a straight line y y1 = m(x x1) where m is the gradient, y is the height and x is the time

Kieren Smith D19

Experiment 1 Tank Efflux

26/02/11

Relevance
To observe the relationship between the volume of water in a tank and the velocity of discharge.

Experimental Work Apparatus

The apparatus consists of a 1 litre measuring cylinder, a stop watch and a cylindrical tank (diameter 139 mm), which has a depth gauge. The exit orifice has a diameter of 2.5 mm. Water is fed continuously to the tank from above and an overflow allows a constant head to be maintained. Its important to note that the orifice is away from the base of tank, so this extra head must be taken into account.

Procedure
Constant head experiments: switch on the pump and ensure that a constant head is maintained. It is important o check repeatedly that the water continues to overflow and a constant head is maintained during this part of the experiment. Then measure how long it takes t fill the 1 litre measuring cylinder using the stop watch. Repeat the experiment three times to ensure an accurate average is achieved. Variable head experiments: Check the calibration marks on the tank. Fill the tank and switch off the pump. Close the valve so that water cannot siphon back to the reservoir. Then measure how long it takes to empty the tank, taking times at 1cm intervals, also with the stop watch. This should be repeated three times to ensure an accurate average is achieved.

Hazard
As we are dealing with water there is very little hazards but one that I observed while performing this experiment was that as the water came close to end of the tank and the pressure subsequently dropped, a significant amount of the water would squirt onto the floor. This posed a hazard as people could potential slip on the wet surface.

Kieren Smith D19

Experiment 1 Tank Efflux

26/02/11

Results
Observed Constant head

Table 1 Variable head

Table 2

Kieren Smith D19

Experiment 1 Tank Efflux

26/02/11

Derived results

Figure 1

Kieren Smith D19

Experiment 1 Tank Efflux

26/02/11

Figure 4

Kieren Smith D19

Experiment 1 Tank Efflux

26/02/11

Calculations and discussion

1. The volumetric rate of discharge ,

The average volume is calculated by taking the average volume from table 1, which is 1 dm3 =0.001 m3 . The time used is 108 s, also taken from table 1. =9.259 x 10-6 m3 s-1 The cross-sectional area is calculated using equation 2 A = x (1.25 x 10-3)2 =4.909 x 10-6 m2 Using equation 1 to calculate the average discharge velocity U= 9.259 x 10-6 m3 s-1/ 4.909 x 10-6 m2 = 1.89 m s-1 2. To calculate the velocity of discharge I used equation 3, where g = 9.8 m s-1 and h = 0.1942 m u 1= m s-1 x 0.1942 m) =1.95 m s-1 This value takes into account that the orifice is a little way below the tank 3. When calculating u, which used the results collected from carrying out the experiment, it was smaller because there was fluid friction within the tank. This means the velocity discharge u1 is significantly higher because it neglects the fluid friction. Discharge Coefficient, CD = u /u1 = 1.89 m s-1 / 1.95 m s-1 = 0.92 4. Referring to figure 1, the graph tells us that there is not a direct relationship between height and time ie. Height is not proportional to time. The reason for this observation is because the initial height has a high pressure due to the large volume

Kieren Smith D19

Experiment 1 Tank Efflux

26/02/11

of water. The result of the high pressure is a high discharge. This explains why the gradient of the graph is significantly steeper at the beginning compared to the end. As the experiment comes to a conclusion the gradient of the curve is less as pressure is reduced.

5. Referring to figure 4, three tangents are drawn on the graph so an average gradient can be calculated. To calculate the gradient, gradient at this point is At point 2 the gradient is At point 3 the gradient is = 4 x 10-4 = 3 x 10-4 , its 10-4 . At point 1 the

The average gradient = ((5.556 x 10-4) + (4 x 10-4) + (3 x 10-4))/ 3 = 4.19 x 10-4 Using equation 5 to calculate a n equation for a straight line, h can be calculated h-0.07 =4.19 x 10-4(t -300) = 4.19 x 10-4 t -0.1257 h= 4.19 x 10-4t 0.0557 y = mx + c , straight line h= mt + c, after substituting the correct symbols h=-mt + c, as the gradient of the graph is negative h= h0 mt , where h0 is the initial height overall h(t) = 0.2 4.19 x 10-4t To find the average discharge velocity u(t)

Where the area of the orifice, A1 is 4.909 x 10-6 m2, the area of the tank, A0 is 0.06 m2 and = 4.19 x 10-4. Therefore u = 5.12 x 10-12

6. Taking three heights from mi points of points A, B and C h1 = 0.17m, h2 = 0.09 m and h3 = 0.02 m the average height = (0.17 + 0.09 + 0.02 )/ 3 = 0.093 m substituting this value of h into equation 3 and taking g to be 9.81 m s -1 u = (2 x 9.81 m s-1 x 0.093 m)

Kieren Smith D19

Experiment 1 Tank Efflux

26/02/11

= 1.35 m s-1 This value is significantly lower than the value calculated at a constant head height. 7. Referring to figure 1, where uL = , an expression for uL can be represented

symbolically. UL is the speed at which the water level falls.

From tank
Q(t) = AT x UL =AT x 1 2

From orifice
Q(t) = A0 x Combing 1 and 2 AT x = A0 x / AT dt

= A0 x

Kieren Smith D19

Experiment 1 Tank Efflux

26/02/11

Errors
Stopwatch 1 litre measuring cylinder 0.1 ml

Conclusion
This experiment supports our initial theory that the volume of water in a tank effects the velocity discharge, although they are no directly proportional.