Applications of Bernoulli’s theorem

Practical Applications of Bernoulli’s Theorem

 The Bernoulli equation can be applied to a great

many situations not just the pipe flow we have
been considering up to now.
 In the following sections we will see some
examples of its application to flow measurement
from tanks, within pipes as well as in open
channels.
1. Venturimeter
2. Orificemeter
3. Pitot tube
1. Venturimeter:
 The Venturimeter is a device for measuring discharge
in a pipe.
 It consists of three parts.
a. Convergent Cone
b. Throat
c. Divergent Cone
a. Convergent Cone:
 It is a short pipe which converges from a diameter d1
(diameter of a pipe in which a venturimeter is fitted)
to a smaller diameter d2.
 The convergent cone is also known as inlet of the
venturimeter.
 The slope of the converging sides is between 1in 4 or
1in 5.

b. Throat:
 It is a small portion of circular pipe in which the
diameter d2 is kept constant.
c. Divergent Cone:
 It is a pipe, which diverges from a diameter d2 to a
large diameter d1.
 The divergent cone is also known as outlet of
venturimeter.
 The length of the divergent cone is about 3 to 4
times than that of convergent cone.
How it operates?
 It consists of a rapidly converging section, which
increases the velocity of flow and hence reduces
the pressure (acceleration b/w section 1-2).
 It then returns to the original dimensions of the pipe
by a gently diverging ‘diffuser’ section
(deceleration b/w section 2-3).
 By measuring the pressure differences the
discharge can be calculated.
 This is a particularly accurate method of flow
measurement as energy losses are very small.
Why the divergent cone is made longer?

 As a result of retardation (section 2-3), the velocity decreases

and pressure increases.
 If the pressure is rapidly recovered, then there is every
possibility for the stream of liquid to break away from the
walls of meter.
 In order to avoid the tendency of breaking away the stream of
liquid, the divergent cone is made sufficiently longer.
 Another reason is to minimize friction losses.
 Divergent cone is 3 to 4 times longer than convergent cone.
Measurement of Discharge:
 Consider a venturimeter through which some liquid is
flowing.

Let
 p1 = Pressure at section 1

 V1 = Velocity of water at section 1

 z1 = Datum head at section 1

 a1 = Area of venturimeter at section 1

 p2, V2, z2, a2 = Corresponding values at section 2

Applying Bernoulli' s equation at sections1 and 2 i.e,
p1 V12 p 2 V2 2
 z1    z2  (1)
 2g  2g
Let datum line be the axis of venturime ter,
Now z1  0 and z 2  0
V12 p 2 V2 2
p1
   
 2g  2g
p1 p2 V2 2 V12
or    (2)
  2g 2g
Since the discharge at Section 1 & 2 is continuous, therefore
a 2V2
V1  ( a 1V1  a 2V2 )
a1
a 22V2 2
 V1 2

a1 2
Substituting value in equation 2.
p1 p2V2 2 a 22V2 2
   2
  2 g a1 . 2g
 a12  a 22 
V2 2
  
 a
2g 2 
 1 
p1 p 2
We know that  is the difference between the pressure heads
 
at section 1 & 2. When the pipe is horizontal, this difference represents
the venturi head and is denoded by h.
V2 2  a12  a 22 
or h   
2g  a2 
 1 
 a12 
V2  2 gh 2
2 
 a  a2 
 1 2 
  
 a 
V2  2 gh  1
 a 2  a 2 
 1 2 

We know that discharge through a venturimt er,

Q  Coefficent of Venturimte r . a 2 . V2
Q  C . a 2 . V2
 
 Ca1a2 
Q  2 gh
 a2  a2
 1 2 
Note:
The venturi head (h), in above equation is taken in terms of
liquid head. But, in actual practice, this head is given as
mercury head. In such a case the mercury head should be
converted into the liquid head.
h = (13.6 - s) / s x Head of mercury
Where, 13.6 is Sp. gravity of mercury and ‘s’ is Sp. gravity of Oil.
Inclined Venturimeter:
Problems:
1. A venturimeter with a 150mm diameter at inlet and 100mm at throat is laid
with its axis horizontal and is used for measuring the flow of oil (Sp. Gravity=
0.9). The oil-mercury differential manometer shows a gauge difference of
200mm. Assume coefficient of meter as 0.98. Calculate discharge in liters per
minute. (Ans, Q=3834 lit/min).
Problems:
2. A venturimeter is to be filled to a 250mm diameter pipe, in
which the maximum flow is 7200 lit/min and the pressure head
is 6m of water. What is the minimum diameter of throat, so that
there is no negative head in it? (Ans, 117mm)
3. A 300mm x 150mm venturimeter is provided in a vertical
pipeline carrying oil of Sp. Gravity 0.9, the flow being upwards.
The difference in elevations of the throat section and entrance
section of the venturimeter is 300mm. The differential U tube
mercury manometer shows a gauge deflection of 250mm.
Calculate
i) discharge of the oil
ii) pressure difference b/w the entrance and throat section.
(Ans, i) Q = 149 lit/s ii) 3.695m)
2. Orifice Meter:
 An orifice meter is used to measure the discharge in a pipe. It
consists of a plate having a sharp edged circular hole known
as an orifice. This plate is fixed inside a pipe.
Measurement of Discharge:
 A mercury manometer is inserted to know the difference of
pressure between the pipe and the throat. ( i.e., orifice)

Let
 h = Reading of mercury manometer

 p1 = Pressure at the inlet

 V1 = Velocity of liquid at inlet

 a1 = Area of pipe at inlet

 p2, V2, a2 = Corresponding values at throat

Applying Bernoulli' s equation for inlet of pipe and the throat,
p1 V12 p 2 V2 2
 z1    z2  (1)
 2g  2g
p1 V2 2 V12
p2
   ( z1  z 2 )
  2g 2g

or h 
V2 2 V12

2g 2g 2g

1

V22  V12 )
Since the discharge is continuous, therefore
a 2V2
V1  ( a 1V1  a 2V2 )
a1
a 22V2 2
 V1 
2

a1 2
Substituting value in equation 2.
1  2 a 22V2  V2 2  a12  a 22 
2
h V2     
2g  a1 2  2 g  a2 
  1 
 a12 
V2  2 gh 2
2 
 a  a2 
 1 2 

 
 a1 
V2  2 gh  
 a2  a2
 1 2 
We know that discharge,
Q  Coefficent of Orifice Meter . a 2 . V2
Q  C . a 2 . V2
 
 Ca1a 2 
Q  2 gh (Same as venturime ter)
 a2  a2
 1 2 
Problem:
 An orifice meter consisting of 100 mm diameter orifice in a
250mm diameter pipe has coefficient equal to 0.65. The pipe
delivers oil (Sp. Gravity 0.8). The pressure difference on the
two sides of the orifice plate is measured by a mercury oil
differential manometer. If the differential gauge reads 80mm
of mercury, calculate the rate of flow in lit/s. (Ans, 82 lit/s)
3. Pitot Tube:
 A Pitot tube is an instrument to determine the velocity of flow
at the required point in a pipe or a stream.
 It consists of glass tube bent a through 90o
 The lower end of the tube faces the direction of the flow.
 The liquid rises up in the tube due to the pressure exerted by
the flowing liquid .
 By measuring the rise of liquid in the tube, we can find out the
velocity of the liquid flow.
Finding Velocity:
 Let
 h = Height of liquid in the pitot tube above the surface.
 H = Depth of tube in the liquid
 V = velocity of the liquid
 Applying Bernoulli’s equation for the section 1 & 2.

V2
H  Hh
2g
V2
h
2g
V  2 gh
Problem:
 A pitot tube was inserted in a pipe to measure the
velocity of water in it. If the water rises in the tube is
200mm. Find velocity of water. (Ans, 1.98m/s)