LAB INVESTIGATIONS 2

Bernoullis Principle
Student Name
Student ID

: Shakil Ahmed
: SCM - 022732

Date of submission : 20/10/2014

Lecturer
Programme
Engineering

: Dr.Lai
: B.Eng (Hons) Mechanical

TITLE

: Bernoullis Principle

OBJECTIVE : To investigate Bernoullis law and pressure distribution along venturi tube.
ABSTRACT :
This experiment is conducted to verify the Bernoulli equation and the pressure distribution along
the venturi tube. It will help students to learn the relationship between the velocity and the
pressure of fluid at a certain point along with its area. Students will be recording the values of
static and total pressure along the venturi tube then can able to calculate the dynamic pressure
with the value gained. The data will be recorded into 3 different tables. At last, the students will
plot 2 types of graph that includes the graph for the flow velocity against the measurement points
of the tube and the graph of the pressure distribution along the venturi tube.
INTRODUCTION

Consider first a simple device to measure the local velocity in a fluid stream along the venturi
tube. At the same level, there are several narrow tubes inserted into the venturi tube. Friction is
negligible along the streamline through the venturi tube, so that the Bernoullis equation for the
constant head, h:
2

P1 V1
P V

2 2
g 2 g g 2 g

constant

Allowance for friction losses and conversion of the pressure, P1 and P2 into static pressure
heads, h1 and h2 yields:
2

h1

V1
V
h2 2 hv
2g
2g

Where,P1 = pressure at cross-section, A1

h1 = pressure head at cross-section, A1
V1 = flow velocity at cross-section, A1
P2 = pressure at cross-section, A2
h2 = pressure head at cross-section, A2
V2 = flow velocity at cross-section, A2

= density of medium

hv = pressure loss head

Figure 1 Conditions in venturi tube with 6 measurement points

Figure 2 Mass flow conditions in venturi tube

The mass flow is constant in closed systems: m1=m2

Given, m=V

V 1 =V 2

V 1=V 2
Given, V = A w

A 1 w1= A 2 w2=constant

For dynamic pressure head:

hdyn =htot h stat

Figure 3 Zero-point difference of 80mm between the pressures gauges

If there is a zero-point difference of 80mm between the pressures gauges, 80mm must be
subtracted:

hdyn =htot h stat 80

The velocity, Wmeans was calculated from the dynamic pressure:
Wmeans 2 ghdyn.

APPARATUS:
HM150.07 Bernoullis Theorem Demonstration which shown in Figure 4
a.

Assembly board

b.

Single water pressure gauge

c.

Discharge pipe

d.

Inlet and outlet valves

e.

Venturi tube with 6 measurement points

f.

Compression gland

g.

Probe for measuring overall pressure

h.

Hose connection (water supply)

i.

Valve at water inlet

j.

6-fold water pressure gauge (pressure distribution in venturi tube)

Figure 4 HM150.07 Bernoullis theorem demonstration

Figure 5Detail view X

Figure 6 Detail view Y

Figure 7 Six measurement points

Table 1 shows cross section area of venturi tube in the six measurement
points.

Table 1 Cross Section Area

Point, i

A, (mm2)

A, (10-4 m2)

338.6

3.386

233.5

2.335

84.60

.8460

170.2

1.702

255.2

2.552

338.6

3.386

PROCEDURE
1.
2.
3.
4.

Make sure the unit operating properly by doing a quick inspection and looking.
The hose connection is made secured and the unit is connected to the power supply.
Discharge pipe is opened.
The probe compression grand is set until slight resistance could be felt while moving the

probe.
5. Inlet and outlet valves are opened.
6. Switch on the pump and the main cock(stopper) is opened gently.
7. Vent valves (2) to open on water pressure gauge and outlet cock carefully be closed until
pressure gauges are flushed.
8. Adjust the inlet and outlet cock simultaneously, the water level in pressure gauge will be
regulated neither upper nor lower range limit is undershot or overshot.
9. The pressure at each measurement points is recorded. The overall pressure probe will be
moved to corresponding measurement level tube to obtain the overall pressure.
10. A stopwatch used to record the time taken for the level in volumetric tank to store 10L of
water. The recorded time will be used in calculation for the flow rate.
11. Step 8-10 will be repeated with different flow rate.

TABLES AND RESULTS :

Table 1 Flow Rate and Pressures at all measurement points:

h1

h2

h3

h4

h5

h6

(mmW

(mmW

(mmW

(mmW

(mmW

(mmW

s)

s)

s)

s)

s)

s)

hstat.

230

220

105

175

190

195

htotal

305

305

305

305

305

305

hdyn.

75

85

200

130

115

110

1.21

1.29

1.98

1.597

1.502

1.469

Wcalc.

0.3809

0.552

1.52

0.0757

0.505

0.381

hstat.

235

225

110

180

195

200

htotal

290

290

289

288

288

288

hdyn.

55

65

179

108

93

88

Wmeans

1.038

1.129

1.87

1.45

1.35

1.31

Wcalc.

0.407

0.591

1.631

0.810

0.540

0.407

hstat.

250

245

150

210

220

220

htotal

317

318

318

318

318

316

hdyn.

67

73

168

108

98

96

1.14

1.196

1.81

1.455

1.386

1.372

0.342

0.496

1.37

0.681

0.451

0.342

Wmeans

Wmeans
Wcalc.

Time,
s (10L)
77.5

72

0.12

0.13
8

86.15

*Convert mm/s to m/s for calculation of Wmeans and Wcalc. (Velocity)

*There is some alteration in the equation because there is a zero-point difference of 0mm

hdyn = 230.0- 305.0 - 0 = 75.0 mmWs

(L/s)
9

SAMPLE OF CALCULATION:

between the pressures gauges, so that equation changes to :-

hdyn =htot h stat 0

0.11
6

10 L
77.5 s

Flow rate =

= 0.129 L/s

Wmean
=

2 g hdyn

2 ( 9.81 ) ( 0.012)

= 0.4852 m/s

Wcalc. =

A
3

0.12910
338.6

= 0. 0.3809m/s
( 1 litre = 1.0 x 103 m3)

GRAPHS OF FLOW VELOCITY AGAINST MEASUREMENT POINTS:

Graph 1 Flow velocity vs measurement points:

Graph Of Flow Velocity Against Measurement Points (1)

2.5
2
1.5

Flow Velocity, w (m/s)

1
0.5
0

Measurement Points
Wmeans

Wcalc.

Graph 2 Flow velocity vs measurement points:

Graph Of Flow Velocity Against Measurement Points (2)

Flow Velocity, w (m/s)

2
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0

Measurement Points
Wmeans

Wcalc.

Graph 3 Flow velocity vs measurement points:

Graph Of Flow Velocity Against Measurement Points (3)

2
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0

Flow Velocity, w (m/s)

Measurement Points
Wmeans

Wcalc.

GRAPHS OF PRESSURE DISTRIBUTION ALONG VENTURI TUBE:

Graph 4 Pressure distribution along venturi tube:

Graph Of Pressure Against Measurement Points (1)

350
300
250
200

Pressure (mmWs)

150
100
50
0

Measurement Points
hstat.

htotal

hdyn.

Graph 5 Pressure distribution along venturi tube:

Graph Of Pressure Against Measurement Points (2)

350
300
250
200

Pressure (mmWs)

150
100
50
0

Measurement Points
hstat.

htotal

hdyn.

Graph 6 Pressure distribution along venturi tube:

Graph Of Pressure Against Measurement Points (3)

350
300
250
200

Pressure (mmWs)

150
100
50
0

Measurement Points
hstat.

DISCUSSION :

htotal

hdyn.

From the graph plotted in the result, it can be observed that the line for Wmean is much higher
than Wcalculated. In all graphs of flow velocity against the measurement points along the venturi
tube, the velocity is the highest at point 3. The area for tube 3 is the smallest and can be
concluded that velocity is effected by the area . As the area gets smaller in the tube, the velocity
of the fluid flow will increase.
According to the theory the values for Wmean and Wcalculated should be same value, in the
experiment the value obtained for Wmean is higher than Wcalculated. This is because of value
obtained could be incorrect. The student recorded the values obtained by his eyes. It is quite sure
that parallax error occur during recording the value so the value obtain will make a value
difference between Wmean and Wcalculated.
The pressure distribution along the venturi tube, the total pressure remains constant as straight
line from the 1 to 6 point . The static pressure in all 3 graph goes from the highest at 1 st point and
lowest at the 3rd point but gets high as after the 3rd point. This is because of the area affecting the
velocity as the area gets smaller velocity decrease, therefore Bernoullis theorem can be observed
from pressure distribution graph The dynamic pressure have the same kind of curve as the static
pressure but it is inverse and opposite to its shape.
The system did not work well before experiment is one of the reasons for the value difference.
The air bubble in the venturi tube during the experiment hence the pressure might not be stable
when recording the pressure in certain measurement point.

CONCLUSION :

This experiment performed well as the Bernoulli equation successfully to be explained in the
experiment. As the area of a tube become smaller, the pressure will drop and hence the velocity
of a fluid will increase as the flow rate of fluid increase.
To improve the accuracy of the value is by doing repeating steps to obtain more consistent data.
The device dint performed well at beginning and caused big pressure difference in the tubes, to
avoid that we should perform a quick check before increasing the pressure from the inlet. The
errors like when we taking the readings and the temperature in the experiment lab ,Parallax and
calibration error cant be avoided as each student will have their own way of getting the data and
to perform a perfect calibration is nearly impossible unless by using special equipment to use the
device. There could be error in recording time , a reaction time could affect the overall results of
the experiment
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Make sure the trap bubbles must be removing first before start running thee xperimentI.
2. Repeat the experiment for several times to get the average values in order toget more
accurate results.
3. The valve must be control carefully to maintain the constant values of the pressure
difference as it is quite difficult to control.
4. The eye position of the observer must be parallel to the water meniscus when taking the
reading at the manometers to avoid parallax error.
5. The time keeper must be alert with the rising of water volume to avoid error and must be
only a person who taking the time.
6. The leakage of water in the instrument must be avoided

REFERENCES :
1. R.K. Bansal 1983, A Textbook of Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machines, 1st Edition,

Laxmi Publications (P) Ltd, India.

2. Rama Durgaiah, 2002, Fluid Mechanics and Machinery, 1st Edition, New Age International
(P) Ltd, India.
3. Dynamic pressure - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2014. Dynamic pressure - Wikipedia, the free
encyclopedia. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_pressure)

4. G.U.N.T. Gertebau GmbH, Equipment for Engineering Education Instruction Manual

HM150.07 Bernoullis Principle Demonstrator
http://www.eng.ucy.ac.cy/EFM/Manual/HM%2015007/HM15007E.pdf
5. Mahmoud Massoud 2005, Engineering Thermofluids: Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics,
and Heat Transfer Hardcover
6. C. Marquand, D. R. Croft 1994, Thermofluids: an integrated approach to thermodynamics
and fluid mechanics J. Wiley