Fluid Mechanics

Chris Coles
MEA Coles
December 2006

Lab Report 2:
Impact of Jets

Chris Coles 04/12/06

Contents
Contents ......................................................................................................................................................2
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................2
Assignment Aims......................................................................................................................................2
Experiment Equipment .................................................................................................................................3
Experiment Method ......................................................................................................................................3
Results ........................................................................................................................................................4
Calculations .................................................................................................................................................4
Area of Jet (m) .......................................................................................................................................4
Mass flow rate of Water (kg/s) ..................................................................................................................4
Velocity of Jet (m/s) .................................................................................................................................5
Actual Force of Jet (N) .............................................................................................................................5
Theoretical Force of Jet (N) ......................................................................................................................5
Flat Plate moves at a Velocity of 2 m/s: .....................................................................................................5
Curved Plate moves at a Velocity of 3 m/s: ................................................................................................5
Discussion ...................................................................................................................................................6
Conclusion ...................................................................................................................................................6

Introduction
Water is a natural source of energy used directly in mechanical form without such loses in engines however
efficiency various with the contact surface of a jet, therefore in this experiment we are going to learn about jet
impacts. Flowing water is diverted onto a surface via a nozzle creating a force acting through distance and
energy is transferred, assuming there is no horizontal component of velocity after impact, plate is completely
stationary and no friction losses. This is the principle behind jet engines and impulse turbines, important
research for the upcoming engineer.

Assignment Aims
1. Verify the relationships of impact of a jet on various shaped stationary plates.
2. Determine the power available from a moving plate and vane.

LAB SETUP CORRECTLY WITH FLAT NOZZLE

Chris Coles 04/12/06

Experiment Equipment
Container & Load
Plate above

Nozzle and Zeroing

Indicator Pointer
Weights

Different Plates
Flat, Hemispherical,
Curved

Plate Attachment

Water Vv

Experiment Method
To setup the experiment, the top cover of the container had to be removed by loosening all three securing
nuts allowing the nozzle to be screwed to the end of the spindle, then replacing the top cover correctly back to
default with all three nuts tight. The indicating pointer has to be zeroed by adjusting the pointer position
aligning it with the white lines on the plates. Holding the catchment tank plug open the flow control valve was
checked shut and the pump was switched on. The flow control valve was adjusted slowly until fully open,
causing maximum deflection of fluid to the load plate, masses (weights) could be placed above until the face
returned to its original position acknowledged by the pointer alignment and white line. The catchment tank
plug was then placed in the hole of the bucket and time taken by stop watch to see how long it would take for
10 litres of water. This was recorded in the table of results for later use in the calculations (see results
section). The weights were removed and weighed accurately also recorded in the table. The flow control valve
was shut with the catchment tank plug to allow drainage once the pump was stopped. Another group then
fitted another plate repeating the processes above until a complete set of results were constructed. Once the
measured table had been created the calculated table could be filled in (refer to the calculations section).

Chris Coles 04/12/06

Results
Below is the table of measured values in the practical application and the calculated theoretical application of
the experiment, completed in the classroom:
Curved
Plate
(140)

Hemispherical
Plate (180)

(grams)

658.7

1228

1275

(secs)

17.08

17.81

17.08

(mm)

Mass Flow Rate (m)

kg/s

0.585

0.56148

0.588

Velocity (C)

m/s

11.64

11.17

11.648

Actual Force of Jet

6.46

12.047

12.51

Calculated Force Fjet

6.81

13.75

Area of Jet

11.07
50.265x10

Calculated

Diameter of Jet

Measured

Applied Mass
Time for 10 litres to
flow

Flat Plate
(90)

Improvement

Calculations
Area of Jet (m)
D

2

8 10 3
50.26548 10 6

50.265 10 6

m 2 (3dp)

Area of Jet

Mass flow rate of Water (kg/s)

m v

litres
10

lt/sec

17.08 secs
m

1000 kg

10

17.08
m
1000 0.585 kg/s
1000

Mass flow rate, velocity must be divided by one thousand to work out the velocity
With kilograms and multiplied by the density, in this case the fresh water cancels out,
However salt water 1030 would be different.

Chris Coles 04/12/06

Velocity of Jet (m/s)

m
C
A je t

0.585
11.64
1000 50.265 10 6

(m/s)
c (Plate Velocity)
In this case the plate is static.

C (Velocity)

Actual Force of Jet (N)

F m g

0.6587 9.81 6.41

Theoretical Force of Jet (N)

F A C2

1000 (50.265 10 6 ) 11.64 2 6.81

Flat Plate moves at a Velocity of 2 m/s:

This equation we cannot use the actual force because of the plate is moving at 2m/s
so I would need the applied mass value, gravity would stay 9.81, so I can only
assume the theoretical force:
F A (C c ) 2

Theoretica l Force

F 1000 (50.265 10 6 ) (11.64 2) 2 4.67

m (C c) c

1
2
m C
2
0.284597 100 28.46%

Output

Input

0.585 (11.64 2) 2
0.284597

1
2
0.585 11.64
2

Curved Plate moves at a Velocity of 3 m/s:

F A (C c ) 2 (1 cos )

Theoretica l Force

F 1000 (50.265 10 6 ) (11.17 3) 2 (1 cos140) 0.785

m (C c) (1 cos ) c
0.56148 (11.17 3) (1 cos140) 3

1
1
2
2
m C
0.56148 11.17
2
2
0.9802137949 0.9802137949 100 98.02%

Output

Input

Chris Coles 04/12/06

3.219667083
3.284658

Discussion
Water leaves the nozzle at a velocity with force until it hits the plate, for a flat plate the force generated is
minimum return but maximum force moving that plate where it has minimal deflection. As the plate
curvature increases the resultant deflection is smoother and less beating of the plate, hence the force
returning increases. The angle increase will improve force until it is directly horizontal at 180 degrees
where there is practically zero force applied beating the plate and maximum deflection smoothness.
Newtons 3rd law explains for every action there is a equal and opposite reaction and this is proved by the
results table where the increase in force arrow increases with the plates angle. Please refer to diagram
below to aid my best attempt of an explanation:

Min Force on Plate

Max Force on Plate

Less Force on Plate

Min Force Return

More Force Return
Max Force Return

The change between a stationary plate and a moving plate how I figure is the smaller the change in
velocity results to a larger velocity resulting in a larger force therefore the slower the plate moves the more
return force will be produced and less losses trying to move the plate. Of course this still applies to the
increase to 180 degrees of angle being more efficient. It must also be assumed that if the velocities match
therefore there is no change equalling 0 the force would be zero, meaning the water could never catch the
plate and impact, seems a logical statement!
When a plate is curved above 180 to 360-clearnace of the initial jet the return force will decrease causing
collision with the jet.
It should also be noted when referring to the table that one would expect the theoretical force to be above
the force measured, in both the curved and hemisphere this was not true, discrepancies no doubt.
However my groups flat plate seemed ok, therefore it is likely to make allowances of mistakes for other
groups. This could be because of parallax error to the white centre line where a computer could be used,
rounding figures off in recorded data again human mistake. The pump has been used before which could
cause a small number of anomalies therefore repeating this experiment to gather more data and using
averages would ensure a higher degree of accuracy.
It is clear the hemisphere is more suitable, followed by the curved plated followed by the flat plate. By the
statements above the oblique plate would have been more efficient than the flat plate and less efficient
than the curved with its deflection angle at 60 degrees.

Conclusion
1. I have made a relationship to the angle of a stationary plate from the jet impact results and made a
assumption on the efficiency of each plate stating how I had used the data found.
2. Theory was calculated and compared to an experimental practical and in turn used in my discussion.
3. Also I have discussed how the velocity of a moving plate affects the return forces thus completing the
initial aims.
4. I have researched and understood Newtons 3rd law and related it to the experiment, it is clear how
these simple experiments prove the primary principles to turbines and engines stated in my
introduction.
References:
www.Wikipedia.com for Newtons third law & a simple definition of Momentum.
Software:
Plate Image made on 3dsMax

Wrote by Chris Coles,

Chris Coles 04/12/06

04/12/06