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Experiment No. : 04

Experiment Name : Experimental verification of Bernoulli’s equation.

Objectives :

1. To calculate the total head of the pipe in various positions.

2. To verify the validity of Bernoulli’s equation for fluid flow.

Introduction :

Bernoulli’s principle is a physical principle formulated that states that “as the speed of a moving
fluid increases, the pressure within the fluid decreases. Bernoulli’s principle is named after the
Swedish scientist Daniel Bernoulli. Bernoulli’s principle states that for an in viscid flow, an
increase in the speed of the fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in pressure or a decrease
in the fluid’s potential energy. Bernoulli’s principle is named after the Swedish scientist Daniel
Bernoulli who published his principle in his book Hydrodynamica in 1783. [Wikipedia]
Bernoulli’s principle can be derived from the principle of the conservation of energy. Bernoulli’s
principle can be demonstrated by the Bernoulli equation. The Bernoulli equation is an
approximate relation between pressure, velocity, and elevation. As a fluid passes trough a pipe
that narrows or widens, the velocity and pressure of the fluid vary. As the pipe narrows, the fluid
flows more quickly. Surprisingly, the Bernoulli’s principle tells that as the fluid flows more quickly
through the narrow sections, the pressure actually decreases rather than increases. Bernoulli’s
principle can be explained in terms of the law of conservation of energy. As a fluid moves from a
wider pipe into a narrower pipe or a construction, a corresponding volume must move a greater
distance forward in the narrower pipe and thus have a greater speed.
Meanwhile, continuity equation in Physics is about an equation that describes the transport of a
conserved quantity. Continuity equations are a stronger, local form of conservation laws.
[Wikipedia]
However, Bernoulli’s principle can only be applied under certain conditions. The conditions to
which Bernoulli’s equation applies are:

1. The fluid must be frictionless (in viscid) and of constant density.

2. The flow must be steady.
3. The flow must be continuous and incompressible
4. The flow must be non-viscous
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5. The total energy or total head remains constant at all sections along the fluid flow provided
there is no loss or addition of energy.

The Bernoulli’s principle is expressed with the following equation:

Pressure head (P/ρg) + Velocity head (V2/2g) + Elevation (Z) = Total head (h*) = constant
Where (in SI units);
P = Fluid static pressure at the cross section in N/m2.
ρ = Density of the flowing fluid in kg/m3.
g = Acceleration due to gravity in m/s2 (its value is 9.81 m/s2 = 9810 mm/s2).
V = Mean velocity of the flowing fluid at cross section in m/s.
Z = Elevation head of the center of the cross section with respect to a datum (Z = 0).
h* = Total (stagnation) head in m.
The terms on the left-hand side of the above equation represent the pressure head, velocity
head, and elevation head respectively. The sum of these terms is known as the total head.
According to the Bernoulli’s theorem of fluid flow through a pipe, the total head at any cross
section is constant (based on the assumptions/conditions given above). In a real flow, due to
friction and other imperfections, as well as measurement uncertainties, the results will deviate
from the theoretical ones.
In our experimental setup, the centerline of all cross sections lies on the same horizontal plane
(which we may choose as the datum, Z = 0), and thus, all the ‘Z’ values are zeros so that the above
equation reduces to:

𝑃 𝑉2
+ = ℎ∗ = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 (𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑎𝑡 𝑎 𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛).
𝜌𝑔 2𝑔
For our experiment, we denote the pressure head as hi and the total head as hi*, where ‘i’
represents the cross section we are referring to.
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Design & Calculation :

The design of the entire set of apparatus for the experimental verification of Bernoulli’s
equation is presented below.

Figure: 01 Figure: 02

Figure: 03
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Figure: 04
The Bernoulli’s equation may be visualized by means of an apparatus shown if “Figure: 04”. It is
a pipe which first converges and then diverges. As the liquid flows from A1 to A2, the velocity head
increases and the pressure head decreases. The velocity head at A 2 calculated if the diameter at
A2 is unknown. The pressure head can be measured by means of piezometer. Thus, at different
positions of the pipe, we can calculate the velocity head and the pressure head. Then according
to the Bernoulli’s equation, if we sum up the velocity head and the pressure head, then we can
see that the total head is constant at all times. Thus, we can experimentally prove the Bernoulli’s
equation.

Experimental Setup :

1. Base: The entire apparatus is placed on a horizontal plane surface so that there is no
difference in elevation between the inlet and the outlet (Z1 = Z2).

2. Manometer tubes: Pressure head measurements in the Bernoulli’s apparatus are

performed using piezometers. There are 8 manometer tubes in total and only 6 of them
are connected to the venturi tube through which the fluid is flowing. Manometer tubes
are connected to the venturi’s throat via capillary tubes.

3. Venturi tube: The venturi tube (which is also a venturi meter) is a significant part of the
entire apparatus. The venture tube helps us find out differences in pressure head by both
dropping and regaining the pressure at the inlet and the outlet respectively.
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4. Unions: These parts (sometimes, flanges) are used to connect the venturi tube to the
water inlet and outlet.

5. Air Bleed Screw: This is an essential part of the Bernoulli apparatus that is located above
the piezometers. This screw helps in controlling air ventilation to or from the
piezometer/manometer tubes. The screw is used to remove air bubbles from the
manometer tubes.

6. Discharge Valve: The discharge valve is used in controlling the fluid flow.

7. Pump: The only mechanical device in the Bernoulli apparatus that transports water or
fluid between the sections.

Apparatus :

• Bernoulli (Venturi-type) flow apparatus with column manometers and pilot tube.
• Measuring bucket.
• Stopwatch.
• Weight machine.

Working Procedure :

1. We check if all the manometer tubing is properly connected to the corresponding

pressure taps and the air-bubbles are free. If needed, we flush the air bubbles by slowly
closing the exit valve and draining the water (and the air-bubbles) through the
manometer tubing.
2. We measure the diameter of the pipes in various positions.
3. We open the supply valve and take the observations when the flow is steady.
4. We collect the liquid in the measuring tank. The time is taken with the help of a
stopwatch. The volume of the liquid is determined from the discharge.
5. We wait for some time for the level in manometer tube to stabilize (it takes some time
for it to reach steady state.)
6. After that, the deflection of the pressure head is obtained.
7. We repeat the procedure for different discharges which are obtained by regulating the
supply valve.
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Precaution :
• Stopwatch should be operated carefully.
• We should be careful about the fluid discharge so there is no explosion in the pipes.
• The readings of the liquid level in the piezometer should be taken carefully.
• The air bleed screw should be operated carefully while removing the air bubbles.

Observation & Tabulation :

For the first flow rate :

Observation no. Diameter, D (m) Volume, V (m3) Time, t (s) Flow rate, Q =
v/t
(m3/s)
01 25 × 10−3

02 13.9 × 10−3

03 11.8 × 10−3
1.195 × 10−3 10.220 1.169 × 10−4
04 10.7 × 10−3

05 10 × 10−3

06 25 × 10−3

Observation Area, Velocity, Velocity head, Pressure head, Total head,

no.
𝑫 V = Q/A v2/2g (m) 𝑷
(𝒎) 𝑷 𝑽𝟐
𝑨 = 𝝅( )𝟐 𝒎𝟐 𝜸 +
𝟐 (ms-1) 𝜸 𝟐𝒈
+ 𝒛 (𝒎)
4.91 × 10−4 0.238 0.00289 266 × 10−3 0.26
01

1.517 × 10−4 0.772 0.0303 230 × 10−3 0.26

02

1.09 × 10−4 1.0725 0.0584 184 × 10−3 0.25

03

1.99 × 10−4 1.3003 0.0863 164 × 10−3 0.25

04

7.85 × 10−4 1.4892 0.1131 130 × 10−3 0.24

05
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4.51 × 10−4 0.2384 0.0029 155 × 10−3 0.16

06

For the second flow rate :

Observation no. Diameter, D (m) Volume, V (m3) Time, t (s) Flow rate, Q =
v/t
(m3/s)
01 25 × 10−3

02 1.517 × 10−4

03 1.09 × 10−4
9.05 × 10−4 10.31 8.778 × 10−5
−3
04 10.7 × 10

05 10 × 10−3

06 25 × 10−3

Observation Area, Velocity, Velocity head, Pressure head, Total head,

no.
𝑫 V = Q/A v2/2g (m) 𝑷
(𝒎) 𝑷 𝑽𝟐
𝑨 = 𝝅( )𝟐 𝒎𝟐 𝜸 +
𝟐 (ms-1) 𝜸 𝟐𝒈
+ 𝒛 (𝒎)
4.91 × 10−4 0.1787 1.6276 × 10−3 214 × 10−3 0.21
01

1.517 × 10−4 0.5786 1.706 × 10−2 194 × 10−3 0.21

02

1.09 × 10−4 0.805 3.303 × 10−2 168 × 10−3 0.21

03

1.99 × 10−4 0.9764 4.859 × 10−2 157 × 10−3 0.21

04

7.85 × 10−4 1.118 6.371 × 10−2 136 × 10−3 0.20

05

4.51 × 10−4 0.1787 1.627 × 10−3 144 × 10−3 0.15

06
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Graphical Representation
:

For the first set of data

:

For the second

set of data
:
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Result & Discussion :

The objective of this experiment was to prove the Bernoulli’s principle which we did successfully.
After calibrating the apparatus and performing careful observations along with calculations, we
could show that the total pressure head at different cross sections is always the same.

Conclusion :

This experiment proves the principle of Daniel Bernoulli for fluid flow which is the total pressure
head of a flowing fluid at different cross sections of a pipe always remains constant.

Recommendation :

1. An adjustable base should be used in the Bernoulli’s apparatus.

2. The diameter readings of the manometer tubes should be written on a place that can be
seen easily rather than behind the manometer tubes.

3. Apparatus of accurate and precise readings should be used while performing the
experiment.

Reference :

• www.scribd.com
• www.wikipedia.org
• www.academia.edu