LESSON 23. FLOW IN PIPES

what is Pipe?

  • A pipe is a closed conduit through which a fluid flows.
  • Includes water pipes, hydraulic hoses. Circular cross section is able withstand higher pressure differentials without distortion.
  • The water pipes suppling water in the house. The hypodermic needle use by heroin junkies. Pipes can be natural (veins and arteries) as well as artificial.
  • Pipes can transport both liquid and gases.
  • Pipe systems consists of inlets, outlets, the pipe itself, bends in the pipe, valves and pumps

Module 15 Lesson 23 FLOW IN PIPES

General characteristics of pipe flow

Module 15 Lesson 23 CHARACTERISTICS OF PIPE FLOW

  • A closed conduit is called a duct if it is square in cross section, e.g. heating and air-conditioning ducts. Lower pressure differential across wall of duct.
  • The water flowing down the conduit completely fills the conduit. Storm water drains, sewers.
  • If water does not fill the conduit, the flow is called channel flow. Since channel is not filled, no pressure differential between ends of pipes. Gravity is usually the driver for channel flows.

Laminar and turbulent flow

  • Take a pipe of free flowing water and inject a dye into the middle of the stream, different views will be available as shown in figure below:Module 15 Lesson 23 1.1 LAMINAR AND TURBULENT FLOWModule 15 Lesson23 1.2

    Module 15 Lesson23 1.1

  • In laminar flow the motion of the particles of fluid is very orderly with all particles moving in straight lines parallel to the pipe walls.
  • The laminar flow has a constant uA which is smallest.
  • The transitional flow has a mostly constant uA with the occasional fluctuation.
  • The phenomenon was first investigated in the 1880s by Osbourne Reynolds in an experiment which has become a classic in fluid mechanics. He used a tank arranged as above with a pipe taking water from the centre into which he injected a dye through a needle. After many experiments he saw that this expression

The Reynolds number

Whether a flow will result in laminar or turbulent flow is primarily determined by the Reynolds number,

Module 15 Lesson 23 The Reynolds Number

Where density is ρ , diameter of pipe is D , v is fluid velocity and μ is viscosity.

Re values depend on shape of pipe, roughness, shape of pipe inlet. The limits are also soft numbers.

Laminar flow

  • Re < 2000
  • 'low' velocity
  • Dye does not mix with water
  • Fluid particles move in straight lines
  • Simple mathematical analysis possible
  • Rare in practice in water systems.

Transitional flow

  • 2000 > Re < 4000
  • 'medium' velocity
  • Dye stream wavers in water - mixes slightly.

Turbulent flow

  • Re > 4000
  • 'high' velocity
  • Dye mixes rapidly and completely
  • Particle paths completely irregular
  • Average motion is in the direction of the flow
  • Cannot be seen by the naked eye
  • Changes/fluctuations are very difficult to detect. Must use laser.
  • Mathematical analysis very difficult - so experimental measures are used
  • Most common type of flow.
Last modified: Monday, 16 September 2013, 10:23 AM