Problem *3.

117 [Difficulty: 2]

Given: Spinning U-tube sealed at one end

Find: Maximum angular speed for no cavitation

Assumptions: (1) water is incompressible

(2) constant angular velocity

Solution: Basic equation

2
⎛∂ ⎞ V 2 ∂
In components −⎜ p = ρ⋅ ar = −ρ⋅ = −ρ⋅ ω ⋅ r p = −ρ⋅ g
⎝∂r ⎠ r ∂z

∂
Between D and C, r = constant, so p = −ρ⋅ g and so p D − p C = −ρ⋅ g ⋅ H (1)
∂z

∂
Between B and A, r = constant, so p = −ρ⋅ g and so p A − p B = −ρ⋅ g ⋅ H (2)
∂z
p L
∂ 2 ⌠ C ⌠ 2
Between B and C, z = constant, so p = ρ⋅ ω ⋅ r and so ⎮ 1 dp = ⎮ ρ⋅ ω ⋅ r dr
∂r ⌡p ⌡
B 0
2
2 L
p C − p B = ρ⋅ ω ⋅ (3)
Integrating 2

Since p D = p atm, then from Eq 1 p C = p atm + ρ⋅ g ⋅ H

2 2
2 L 2 L
From Eq. 3 p B = p C − ρ⋅ ω ⋅ so p B = p atm + ρ⋅ g ⋅ H − ρ⋅ ω ⋅
2 2
2
2 L
From Eq. 2 p A = p B − ρ⋅ g ⋅ H so p A = p atm − ρ⋅ ω ⋅
2

Thus the minimum pressure occurs at point A (not B). Substituting known data to find the pressure at A:
2 2 2 2
lbf slug ⎛ rev 2 ⋅ π⋅ rad min ⎞ 1 ⎛ ft ⎞ lbf ⋅ s ⎛ ft ⎞ lbf
p A = 14.7⋅ − 1.94⋅ × ⎜ 1600⋅ × × × × ⎜ 3 ⋅ in × × ×⎜ = 2.881 ⋅
in
2
ft
3 ⎝ min rev 60⋅ s ⎠ 2 ⎝ 12⋅ in ⎠ slug⋅ ft ⎝ 12⋅ in ⎠
in
2

At 68oF from steam tables, the vapor pressure of water is p v = 0.339 ⋅ psi which is less than the pressure at A.
Therefore, cavitation does not occur.: