UNIVERSIDAD of OVIEDO

Área de Mecánica de Fluidos

E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

FLUID MECHANICS

Titulaciones de Grado en Ingeniería Mecánica (GIMECA), Ingeniería Eléctrica

(GIELEC), Ingeniería Electrónica Industrial y Automática (GIELIA) e Ingeniería
Química (GIIQUI).

LECTURE PROBLEMS

CHAPTER 2. KINEMATIC AND CONSERVATION EQUATIONS

[Link]

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Área de Mecánica de Fluidos
E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P1. Characterize the fluid field given by V=(u,v,w) with the expression
.
Solution: unsteady, non-uniform, three-directional, bi-dimensional, divergent
(compressible), irrotational.

P2. A velocity distribution is given by the following expressions:

Characterize the fluid field.

Solution: unsteady, non-uniform, bi-directional, bi-dimensional, divergent (compressible),
irrotational.

P3. Given the velocity field with cartesian components—in SI units—

, determine for the position (x,y,z)=(1,2,3) in the instant t=2:

1. The local, convective and material acceleration. Solution:

2. The unitary variation rate of the density. Solution: .

P4. A velocity field given by the cartesian components, in SI units:

where k is a parameter with units of m2/s. Find for the position (x,y,z)=(2,1,5) the local,
convective and material acceleration.

Solution: .

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Área de Mecánica de Fluidos
E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P5. A piston compresses gas in a cylinder by moving at constant speed V, as is shown in the
figure. The density and the length of the cylinder at t=0 are 0 and L0. Assume that the
velocity vary linearly from u=V at the piston face to u=0 at x=L. If the gas density varies
only with time, obtain an expression for (t).

Solution:

SOLUTION
We are going to obtain it from the expression of the velocity
Moving axis in x=0
x
u=V (1− )
L
Dρ
+ ρ ∇ v⃗ =0
Dt
Dρ ∂ ρ ∂ρ
= + ⃗v · ∇ ρ=
Dt ∂t ∂t
No gradient of density (only function of time)
−V −V
∇ ⃗v = =
L L0−Vt
Dρ V
−ρ =0
Dt L 0−Vt
dρ dt
=
ρ L0
−t
V

( )]
t
ρ L0
ln ( ρ ) ] ρ =−ln −t
0
V 0

( )
L0
ln
( )
ρ
ρ0
=ln
L0
−t
V

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E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

ρ 1
=
ρ0 t
1−
L0
V
It could also come from the mass and the volume… or de integral continuity eq

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Área de Mecánica de Fluidos
E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P6. Air at standard conditions enters a compressor of 0.6 m 3 of capacity with a flow rate of
0.3 m3/s. It exits the machine by a pipe of 3 cm of diameter with a density of 1.8 kg/m 3 and a
velocity of 210 m/s. Determine the rate of change of the mass and the density with respect
to time.
Solution: (dm/dt)=-0.094 kg/s; (d/dt)=-0.157 kg/(m3·s).

P7. The incompressible steady flow between the parallel plates in the Figure is uniform at
the inlet u=U0=8 cm/s, while downstream the flow develops into the parabolic laminar
profile u=a·z(z0-z), where a is a constant. If z0=4 cm and the fluid is SAE 30 oil at 20ºC, what
is the value of uMAX?
Solution: umax = 12 cm/s

P8. The open tank of diameter d in the figure, contains water and is filling through section
(1). For incompressible flow,
1. Obtain an analytic expression for the change of the water level dh/dt in function of

the volumetric flows Q1, Q2 and Q3. Solution:

2. If V1=3 m/s, find the outlet velocity V2 when the water level in the tank has stabilized.
Solution: V2=4.13 m/s

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E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P9. The figure shows a cylindrical tank of radius R=0.3 m and porous lateral wall, with an
index of effective porosity (open surface divided by the total lateral surface) =10%.
Assuming that the outlet velocity VD of the liquid
through the porous surface is given by the expression

, where h is the depth measured from the

free surface and CD is a spill coefficient (CD=1 in this
case), find:
1. Flow rate Q of inlet water in the tank if the
surface level stabilizes at hEQ=0.2 m.
Solution: Q=179.2 m3/h.
2. If, starting at the equilibrium level of hEQ=0.2
m, the inlet flow to the tank is closed, find the
time until the volume in the tank is only 10% of
the initial volume of water.
Solution: t=4.91 s.
SOLUTION
1.- Incoming flow rate = outgoing flow rate
❑

∫ ρ (⃗
V R · d ⃗S ) =0
S

Qout −Q¿=0
hEQ

Qout =∫ V·dS
0

Take h from the Surface downwards

dS=ε 2 πRdh
hEQ hEQ 3
2 2
Qout =∫ C D √ 2 gh · ε· 2 πR·dh=ε 2 πRC D √ 2 g ∫ √ h · dh=ε 2 πR C D √ 2 g hEQ
0 0
3
Qout = 0.0498 m3/s
2.-
❑ ❑
d
∫ ρdϑ +∫ ρ (⃗
dt ϑ
V R · d ⃗S ) =0
S

3
d
( ρπ R 2 h ) + ρ 4 επR √ 2 g h 2 =0
dt 3
3
dh 4 ρεπR √ 2 g 2
ρπ R2 + h =0
dt 3
3 R dh
=−dt
4 ε √ 2 g 32
h

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( )]
t 0.02 0.02
3R dh 3R −2
−∫ dt= ∫ =
0 4 ε √2 g 0.2
3
2 4 ε √2 g √h 0.2
h
t = 4.91 s

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Área de Mecánica de Fluidos
E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P10. The cylindrical tank of the figure has an intake pipe with
a mean inlet velocity of Vm=8 m/s. The bottom of the tank is
porous, with an index of porosity of 1=5% (respect to the total
surface). The lateral part is also porous until a height h0=1 m,
with an index of porosity of 2=10%. Assuming that the outlet
velocity VD of the liquid through the porous surface is given by

the expression , where h is the depth measured

from the free surface and CD is a spill coefficient (CD=0.95),
determine:
1. Velocity of the free surface of the tank in function of
time when that surface is over h0 and hd.
Solution:

2. Height of the free surface with respect to the bottom when the equilibrium is
reached, if D=2 m and d=1 m.
Solution: H=4.43 m.

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E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P11. A jet of water (density ρ) of diameter D with a

velocity v is defected by a curved plate, as shown in the
figure. Find the force of the jet over the plate.
Solution: RX=-235.7N; RY=408.2N;

Data:
- Density of water: =1000 kg/m3
- Diameter: D=0.0254 m
- Velocity: v=30.5 m/s
- =60º

V3 3

P12. A water jet of diameter 3 cm, with average velocity of

20 m/s, strikes on a deflector that divides the flow in two
1 b
equal parts, as shown in the figure. The upper part exits the
deflector with an angle  = 60º and the lower one exits
vertical and downwards. Compute the force produced by
V1
the jet over the deflector, if the density of the fluid is 998
D

kg/m3.
Solution: Fx=352.72 N and Fy=18.90 N
2
V2

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Área de Mecánica de Fluidos
E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P13. A power plant has heat exchanger which allows the cooling of
the plant using the water of the adjoining river. In normal working
conditions 55MW have to be dissipated. If heat losses to the
atmosphere and ground are negligible, and the temperature increase
of the water can be no more than 12ºC, what should be the minimum
flow rate of water through the plant heat exchanger?
Data: Ti=18ºC; cp_water=4280 J/kgK
Solution: Qexchanger=1.07 m3/s

SOLUTION

d
Q̇−Ẇ =
dt
∫ ρedϑ +∫ ρe ( V r dS )
2
^ v
e=u+ + gz
2
^
∆ u=C v·∆T

Liquid, Cv = Cp
Q̇= ρQ ∆ e
Assuming no change in velocity nor height
Q̇
Q=
ρ C p ∆T
Ti doesn’t intervene

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E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P14. A machine takes air in a steady regime by the section 1 and discharges it by the
sections 2 and 3. The properties of each section are the following:

Sectio A [cm2] Q [m3/s] T [ºC] Pabs [kPa] z [m]

n
1 371.6 2.83 21.1 137.9 0.3
2 929 1.13 37.78 206.8 1.22
3 232.26 1.41 93.3 ¿? 0.46

The machine gives to the inlet air a power of 112kW. What is

the value of P3 and the heat flux Q̇ ?
Assume air as a perfect gas, R=287 J/kg·K and cp=1005J/kg·K

Solution: P3=148 kPa; Q̇ =67.5 kW.

SOLUTION
Pressure from continuity
d
dt
∫ ρdϑ +∫ ρ ( V r dS )=0
∑ ρQ=0
Sección Q [m3/s] T [K] Pabs [Pa] Dens[kg/m3] Massflow[kg]
1 2.83 294.25 137900 1.633 4.621
2 1.13 310.93 206800 2.317 2.618
3 1.41 366.45
Mass flow 3 = 2.003 kg
Dens 3 = 1.421 kg/m3
Pabs 3 = 149450 Pa
R = Cp-Cv
Cv = 718 J/kg·K
d
Q̇−Ẇ pressure −Ẇ viscous −Ẇ machines=
dt
∫ ρedϑ +∫ ρe ( V r dS )
2
^ v
e=u+ + gz
2
^
∆ u=C v·∆T

Assume viscous negligible

Ẇ pressure =∫ p ( ⃗v d ⃗S )
With this scalar product, it is work done by the system (following convection)…
Sección Q [m3/s] A [m2] Vel [m/s] T [K] u [m2/s2] V2/2 gz
1 2.83 0.03716 76.16 294.25 211300 2900 2.943
2 1.13 0.0929 12.16 310.93 223200 73.93 11.97
3 1.41 0.023226 60.71 366.45 263100 1843 4.513

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Sección u [m2/s2] V2/2 gz e [m2/s2] mf [kg] int

1 211300 2900 2.943 214200 4.621 -989800
2 223200 73.93 11.97 223300 2.618 584600
3 263100 1843 4.513 264900 2.003 530700

Sección Pabs [Pa] Q [m3/s] Wp [W]

1 137900 2.83 -390300
2 206800 1.13 233700
3 149450 1.41 210700

Q̇=∫ ρe ( V r dS ) + Ẇ pressure + Ẇ machines

Heat supplied to the system = 125500+54100-112000=67600 W

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E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P15. In a test bench of aircraft engines at

atmospheric pressure, a jet engine is been tested
with stationary operating conditions, where the
consumption of fuel injected radially in the
combustion chamber, Gc, is 3% of the air mass
flow entering the engine, Ge. The calorific value of
the fuel is 8,5·106 cal/kg, its density 658 kg/m3 and
its specific heat 2200 J/kgK. If the heat losses
through the walls of the engine are 2% of the total
heat generated, and accepting the uniform inlet Gc
and outlet conditions shown in the figure, compute:
1. Inlet mass flow Ge of air, outlet mass flow Gs of gas, and consumption of injected fuel
Gc. Solution: Ge=146 kg/s ; Gs=150.4 kg/s; Gc=4.38 kg/s
2. Density and temperature of the exit gases (their composition is roughly that of the
air). Solution: =0.351 kg/m3; Ts=1005.8 K
3. Horizontal force over the engine. Solution: |Fx|=87.7 kN

P16. The atmosphere of Mars behaves as an ideal gas with R=260 J/(kg K) and constant
temperature of 200 K. The atmospheric density at the planet surface is =0.015 kg/m3 and
the Mars gravity is g=3.92 m/s2. Under these conditions, find the density of the Mars
atmosphere at a height of 20 km above the surface
Solution: 0.00332 kg/m3

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E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P17. In the manometers of the figure, find the pressure of the gas pG in the case (a) and the
difference of pressure pA-pB in the case (b). Express the result in the following units: Pa,
m.c.a., cmHg, kg/cm2 and mbar, writing in detail all the conversion factors used. In each
case, the following data is known:

a) pA=150 kPa, h1=5 cm, h2=3 cm, h3=7 cm, h4=2 cm, h5=10 cm, h6=4 cm,
1=1000 kg/m3, 2=900 kg/m3, 3=1260 kg/m3. Solution: pG=148644.3 Pa
=15.15 m.c.a =111.8 cmHg =1.52 kg/cm2 =1486.4 mbar

b) h1=15 cm, h2=7 cm, h3=30 cm, h4=15 cm, h5=5 cm, 1=880 kg/m3, 2=13550 kg/m3,
3=680 kg/m3, 4=1000 kg/m3, 5=1.2 kg/m3. Solution: pA-pB=8073.2 Pa =0.823
m.c.a =6.07 cmHg =0.0823 kg/cm2 =80.73 mbar

SOLUTION

Pg=Pa–h1*d1*g+h3*d2*g+(h4-h5-h6)*d3*g
h2 doesn’t have any influence

Pb=Pa+h1*d1*g-h2*d2*g-(h3-h2)*d3*g+(h3-h4)*d4*g-h5*d5*g

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E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P18. The gate of the figure is used to control the top level of
a tank with sea water (=1025 kg/m3). The weight of the gate
is P=78.4 kN and its center of gravity is at a distance L1=1 m
from the vertical face. The horizontal face has a length L2=2
m, the height of the gate is 2.1 m and the width in the plane
perpendicular to the paper is b=3 m. if the gate can turn
freely around the point A, obtain the value of the height H of
water that keeps the gate in equilibrium. Disregard the
thickness of the gate compared with the dimensions L1 and
L2. Solution: H=1.74 m

SOLUTION

Moments with respect to A

P*L1 = d*g*H * L2*b * L2/2 – d*g*H/2 * H*b * H/3
(P*L1)/(d*g*b) = H * L2^2/2 –H^3/6
Iterating…
The height of the gate doesn’t have any effect

There are two values 1.74 and 2.25(aprox)

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P19. In the figure is shown a semispherical gate AB used to

contain three stratified fluids. The dimensions are: h1=1.5 m,
h2=3 m, h3=6 m, h4=1.8 m. The relative densities of the fluid
of the manometer and of the oil are respectively r1=13.6
and r2=0.9, while for the water it can be taken as =1000
kg/m3. With these data, compute the components of the
force over the gate as well as the magnitude and the angle
of the resultant force. Solution: FH=748.9 kN, FV=15 kN,
F=749 kN, =88.85º

SOLUTION

The vertical force is the weight of water:

( )
3
1 4 h4
F v= · π · ρ w · g=14978 N
2 3 2

The vertical force is the force over the vertical projection of the sphere
The pressure at the middle of the sphere is:

(
P M =0 ( Patm ) + ρ Hg g h1 + ρ oil g h 2+ ρw g h3 +
h4
2 )=294300 Pa
The force:

( )
2
h4
F h=P M · π =748902 N
2
Magnitude:
F=√ F v2 + F h2=749052 N
Angle:

α =arctg
( )
Fv
Fh
=1.1464 º (88.85 º)

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E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P20. The Aquarium of Gijón has designed a new pool

open to the atmosphere for the observation of the
ocean fish. One side of this pool is a rectangular window
of length L=4 m and width b=5 m (perpendicular to the
plane of the paper). The sketch of the installation is
shown in the figure, where it can be seen that the
window is hold by a cable with a certain mass hanging
at the other end. Assuming that the density of the
saltwater is =1025 kg/m3 and h=3 m, obtain the value
of the mass m for the window to be in equilibrium. The
window hinges at the point A at the bottom of the pool,
has a mass M=500 kg and an inclination angle of  =
60º. Disregard the friction in the pulleys. Solution:
m=15625 kg.

SOLUTION

Moments with respect to A: pressure + weight + cable

Force of water: Pressure at the middle * surface
h h
F p=ρg · b
2 sin ( α )
Position 1/3 h. Distance from A
h
l p=
3 ·sin ( α )
Position of the gate weight
L
l w = cos ( α )
2
Cable force: mass*g; position L*cos(ang)
Sum of moments Pressure and weight positive, cable negative
0=F p · l p +W· l w −F c ·l c
h h h L
0=ρg · b· + M g g· cos ( α ) −M c g·L·cos ( α )
2 sin ( α ) 3 · sin ( α ) 2
ρgb h 3
M gLcos ( α )
2
+ g =M c g·L·cos ( α )
2· 3 ·sin ( α ) 2
ρgbh 3 M gLcos ( α )
2
+ g
2 ·3 · sin ( α ) 2 ρb h
3
Mg
M c= = 2
+
g·L·cos ( α ) 6 L·cos ( α ) sin ( α ) 2

L=4 m
b=5 m
=1025 kg/m3
h=3 m
M=500 kg
 = 60º

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P21. Assume a cylindrical deposit with a discharge orifice with the following characteristics:
- Initial level of the deposit h0=3 m
- Diameter of the deposit D1=2 m
- Diameter of the orifice D0=20 mm

With these conditions, find:

1. Velocity of the outlet jet for an inviscid fluid assuming the deposit level remains
constant. Solution: v=7.67 m/s
2. Time for the discharge of the deposit assuming a variable level. Solution: t=2.17 h

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P22. The pipe of the figure has a flow of water of 300 l/min. In the section A the manometric
(relative) pressure is 150 kPa and the diameter is 100 mm. Section C is the same as section
A. In the section B the diameter is 150 mm and in the throat of the Venturi (section V) the
diameter is 60 mm. Compute:
1. The pressure pG of the gas in the tank
connected to the piezometric tube. Solution:
pG=139.6 kPa
2. The minimum pressure in the section A so
that there is no cavitation in the point C (the
pressure doesn’t fall below the (abs) vapor
pressure). Solution: pA≥20.7 kPa (rel)
Data:
- Density of the water: ρ=1000 kg/m3.
- Density of the mercury: ρHg=13600 kg/m3.
- Vapor pressure of the water: pv=0.3 mH2O.
- Atmospheric pressure: 1 bar

SOLUTION

The pressure in the section V can be found using Bernoulli from section A
2 2
ρvA ρ vV
PA+ + ρg z A =P V + + ρg z V
2 2
ρ 2
PV =P A + ( v A −v V ) + ρg ( z A−z V )
2
2

( )( ) ( )
2 2 2
2 2 Q Q 16 Q 1 1
v A −v V = 2
− 2
= 2 4
− 4
π dA π dA π d A dV
4 4
PV = 89779 Pa
The pressure in the gas, from the pressure in V:
PG =PV + ρw g·1+ ρ Hg g· 0.3
PG = 139614 Pa

The minimum pressure in C to avoid cavitation is the vapor pressure of water (absolute),
and relative, assuming the atmospheric pressure as 1 bar:
Pmin C =−Patm + P vapor Water =−97057 Pa
If the section in C is the same as the section in A, their velocities are also the same, so:
P A =PminC + ρg ( z C −z A )

PA = 20663 Pa = 120663 Pa(abs)

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P23. The air flow generated in a carburetor by the suction of the

engine produces an aspiration of fuel, as shown in the figure.
Assuming that the sections A and B are in the same horizontal
plane, estimate the flow of fuel in liters/hour.
Data: flow of air Q=3.14 l/s, diameter in the section B D=20 mm,
diameter of the conduct of fuel d=1 mm, density of the air
ρair=1.3 kg/m3, density of the fuel ρfuel=900 kg/m3. Assume that
the velocity of the air in the section A is zero and that the level of
the free surface of the tank of fuel is at the same level that the
section B. Solution: q=1.074 l/h

SOLUTION

The pressure in B can be obtained applying Bernoulli from A to B in the air.

After that, the velocity of the fuel in B can be obtained applying Bernoulli from C to B inside the
fuel conduct (assuming there aren’t any losses)
2 2
ρa v A ρa v B
PA+ + ρa g z A =P B + + ρ a g zB
2 2
Pressure and velocity in A are zero. The elevations can be dismissed
2
−ρa v B −ρ a 16 Q2
PB = = =−64.93 Pa
2 2 π 2 d 4B
In the fuel
2 2
ρf v fC ρf v fB
PC + + ρ f g z C =P B + +ρf g z B
2 2
Pressure and velocity in C are zero. The elevations are the same. Pressure in B is the same in
the air and in the fuel.

v fB =
√
And the flow:
−2 P B
ρf
=0.3799 m/s

2
πd −7
q=v fB =2.984 ·10 =1.074 l/h
4

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P24. The figure shows a tank with water

and air that supplies water to a
horizontal pipe (diameter D=80 mm)
through an orifice plate (efective
diameter d=60 mm). The interphase
water-air is 2 m over the pipe elevation.
A piezometric manometer in “U”,
containing mercury (ρm=13550 kg/m3)
with pressure taps at both sides of the
plate, shows a height difference
between the columns of h1=0.4 m. A
second piezometric manometer in “U”
with mercury is connected to the higher
part of the tank (with air), while the
other end is open to the atmosphere. If the pressure losses between the tank and the plate
are neglected, find the maximum height h2 between the columns of the second manometer
so that the pressure doesn’t fall below the vapor pressure anywhere in the circuit.
Solution: h=-0.318 m (The minus sign means that the chamber is below the atmospheric
pressure)
Data: vapor pressure pv=3 kPa; atmospheric pressure patm=0.98 bar.

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P25. In a horizontal conduct of internal diameter d1=130 mm, an orifice plate has been
inserted with diameter d2= 90 mm, there is also a differential piezometric manometer in U
with mercury and with the columns connected to pressure taps before and after the orifice
plate. When there is a certain flow Q of water, this manometer shows a height difference in
the mercury of h0= 630 mm. A second manometer
is just upstream of the orifice plate showing a
pressure of p1. After the orifice plate it has been
also inserted a Pitot-static tube (of exaggerated
thickness in the figure) measuring the kinetic
energy in the “Vena contracta”. This Pitot is
connected to another differential piezometric
manometer in U with mercury, showing a height
difference in the mercury columns of hP. Compute:

1. Flow rate Q [m3/h] in the pipe, assuming a

discharge coefficient for the orifice plate
CD=0.6. Solution: Q=195 m3/h

2. Section [cm2] of the Vena contracta

(assume the viscous pressure losses are zero between the flow upstream and the
Vena contracta). Solution: S=41.33 cm2

3. Height hP [mm]. Solution: hp=697 mm

4. Minimum value of the pressure p1 [kPa] to avoid cavitation –the pressure doesn’t fall
below the vapor pressure- (express the result as a relative pressure). Solution:
p1min=-20.04 kPa

Data: Vapor pressure of water pv=2400 Pa; atmospheric pressure patm=1 bar; mercury
density Hg=13550 kg/m3.

SOLUTION

The theoretical equation (without the discharge coefficient)

Continuity
0=v 2 · A 2−v 1 · A 1
Bernoulli
2 2
P1 v 1 P 2 v2
+ + z 1= + + z2
ρg 2 g ρg 2 g
Usually the equation is derived from v2, but we are going to derive it from v1 because it will be
easier to calculate the vena contracta.
2 2
2 ( P2−P1 )
v 1−v 2=
ρ
2
A1 d1
v 2=v 1 =v 1 2
A2 d2

( )
4
2 d1 2 ( P2−P1 )
v 1−
1 =
d 4
2
ρ

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E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

√(
2 ( P2−P1 )
v 1=

)
4
d1
ρ 1−
d 42
The real flow is the theoretical one multiplied by the discharge coefficient

√(
2
d 1 2 ( P2−P1 )
Q=C D π

)
4 d
4

ρ 1− 14
d2
The pressure difference (mercury column minus water column)
P2−P1=−( ρ Hg−ρw ) g h0

d1=130 mm
d2= 90 mm
h0= 630 mm
Hg=13550 kg/m3
CD=0.6

Q= 0.0542 m3/s=195m3/h

With the area of the Vena contracta we could find the flow rate without the discharge
coefficient

√(
2
d 1 2 ( P2−P1 )
Q=π

)
4 d1
4

ρ 1− 4
d vc

( )
Q
2 2 ( P2−P 1)
=

( )
2
d d 41
π 1 ρ 1− 4
4 d vc

( )
4
d1 2 ( P 2−P1 )
1− =

( )
4 2
d vc Q
ρ 2
d
π 1
4

( )
4
d1
1−
d1
4
2 ( P2−P1 ) 2 ( P2−P1 ) 2 ( P2 −P 1 ) d24
=1− =1− =1− =1−

( )
( √ )
4
d vc Q
2
2 2 2 ( P2−P1 ) CD
2
ρ 2
d 2 ( P 2−P1 ) C

( )
2 1 D
d1 CD π d1
4

( )
π 4 d
4
1−
4 ρ 1− 1
d 42
4
d 2
ρ 2
d1
π
4

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E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

4
4 d1
d =

( )
vc
d 41
1−
d 42
1− 2
CD
2
d1
2 π
d vc 4
π =

√
4

( )
4
d1
1− 4
d2
1−
C 2D
Avc = 0.004133 m2
The pressure in the pitot is the dynamic pressure
2
v vc
Pd =ρ
2
And the velocity in the vena contracta can be found from the flow rate
Q= A vc · v vc
Vvc = 13.11m/s
Pd=85988 Pa
In the column with Hg and water:
( ρ Hg−ρ w ) g h p =Pd
hp = 698 mm

Cavitation
The minimum relative pressure in 2 is –Patm+Pvapor
pv=2400 Pa
patm=1 bar
P2 = -97600

The difference between the pressures in 1 and 2 doesn’t change with the pressure in 1, only
with the flow:
P1−P2= ( ρHg −ρw ) g h0

P1min = -20037 Pa

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E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P26. The figure shows an orifice plate at the

end of a pipe, through which there is a flow Q
of a fluid with density . Compute the force F
needed to keep the plate in that position.
Solution: F=-8.32 kN.

Data:
- Flow: Q=0.05 m3/s
- Density of the liquid: =1000 kg/m3
- Diameter of pipe and of the orifice: D=100
mm; DO=35 mm

P27. Find the horizontal force made by the water

over the pipe shown in the figure, if the flow is
considered as ideal between sections 1 and 2.
Solution: RX=1433.1 N (to the right).
Data:
- The pipe is in a horizontal plane.
- water=1000 kg/m3.
- Flow rate: Q=30 L/s, D1=10 cm, D2=5 cm.

P28. A vertical jet of water strikes on a spherical objet of density 8000

kg/m3 and 6 cm of diameter, sustaining the object in the air. If the jet
exits at a velocity of 6 m/s through a nozzle of 2 cm of diameter,
determine the height h at which the object remains suspended, if it is
assumed that the velocity of the liquid is zero after impacting with the
ball. Compare this value with the height reached by the jet if there is
no object.
Solution: h=0.648 m (with ball); h=1.836 (without ball).

P29. The portable axial fan of the figure, with a rotor of 0.5 m of
diameter, has a sustaining frame with legs spaced 0.3 m on the
floor in the axial direction. The weight of the fan (including electric
motor and frame) is 40 kg, with the center of gravity equidistant
between the forward and rear legs. If the fan blows an air jet at the
outlet of 4 m3/s (with uniform axial velocity), determine:

a) The power absorbed by the fan, if it works with an efficiency of

70%. Solution: =1.42 kW.

b) The maximum height h of the fan axis over the floor so that it
doesn’t tilt over. Solution: hMÁX =1.2 m.

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E.P. de Ingeniería de Gijón

P30. The aircraft Scorpion (used in the planet Pandora

of the film Avatar) has two tilting engines with shrouded
propellers, as shown by the prototype of the figure.
During an exploration mission, one of these aircrafts has
the axis of both propellers tilted at an angle =20º with
respect to the vertical, while the aircraft moves
horizontally in a straight line at 140 km/h in opposition
to a frontal wind of 22 km/h. if the mass of the aircraft is
4500 kg, the diameter of each propeller is 2.5 m and it is
assumed that the flow exits the propellers with uniform
axial velocity and at atmospheric pressure, determine:

a) Maximum pressure over the aircraft. Solution:

pMAX=1215 Pa.
b) Horizontal aerodynamic drag force over the aircraft.
Solution: F=16.07 kN.
c) Relative velocity of the flow through the propellers.
Solution: v=100 m/s.
d) Power delivered by the propellers of the aircraft.
Solution: Pot=4.7 MW.
e) Propulsion efficiency of (rate between the forward
movement power and the power of the propellers).
Solution: є=15.4%

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