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UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA
FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA
THERMOFLUIDS LAB
CGE536

EXPERIMENT : FREE AND FORCE VORTEX

DATE PERFORMED : 4/10/2016

SEMESTER :3
PROGRAMME/CODE : THERMOFLUIDS LAB (CGE536)

GROUP : EH243 3B (GROUP 1)

NAMA NO PELAJAR
Idham Arif Alaudin Bin Sudin 2015218706
Nurul Izaty Binti Awang Kechik 2015218242
Muzaffar Bin Abdullah 2015441912
Nor Adilah Binti Muhammad Soffian 2015666848
Wong
 TABLE OF CONTENT

No. Title Allocated marks % Marks

1 Abstract/summary 5

2 Introduction 5

3 Aims/objectives 5
4 Theory 5

5 Apparatus 5

6 Procedures 10

7 Result 10
8 Calculations 10

9 Discussion 20

10 Conclusions 10

11 Recommendations 5
12 References 5

13 Appendices 5

Total 100

Remarks:

Checked by:
ABSTRACT

For this experiment, it is conducted to determine free vortex and force vortex. It show

that when the water flows out of a vessel through a central hose in the base ( orifice), a

free vortex was formed. Orifice of diameter 8mm, 12 mm, 16mm and 24 mm are used in

this experiment. The water moves spirally towards the center with stream line in motion.

As we can see from the results and graph, the velocity increases as the diameter of orifice

decrease. From that, we can compare the value of velocity that we obtained with the

theoretical value. Other than that, the height from the measuring gauge to bridge

increases as the distance from the center increases. For the first experiment, graph of

pressure head against 1/r2 is plotted. From the graph, gradient is calculated to find the K

value. This value is needed to calculate the theoretical value of the velocity. Besides,

graph of measured velocity and theoretical velocity are plotted to compare the measured

and theoretical velocity. As the conclusion, the velocity varies inversely as the distance

from the center of rotation and in other words, the water near the center of vortex

circulates faster than the water far from the center of vortex. For the force vortex, the

height is directly proportional to the distance as for forced vortex. Paddle is used in this

experiment to create external force. Also, angular velocity can be determine by counting

the number of paddle in a 60 seconds (no. of revolutions) and plotted the graph. From the

graph we can conclude that, when distance from center increase, the angular velocity also

increase.
INTRODUCTION

SOLTEQ Free and Forced Vortex (Model: FM42) has been designed to conduct

experiments to produce and measure free and forced vortices. The presence of orifice

discharge accessory helps to make analysis of flow through four different types of

orifices.

Generally, vortex is rotation of fluid elements around a center point. There are two

types of known vortices, which are free and forced. The application of vortex flow can be

seen in various field such as turbine and propeller blades.

Free vortex is formed when water flows out from a pipe or vessel through a hole

which acting as the center point. In free vortex, the fluid mass rotates without any

disturbance of external force. In case of real fluids as radius tends to zero the viscous

action becomes increasingly dominant and tends to rotate as a solid body with velocity

directly proportional to radius. Therefore the hyperbolic nature does not appear in the

core region where the flow has rotational characteristics. It flows towards the center point

where the speed and rate of rotation of fluid are the greatest.

Meanwhile, the forced vortex is induced when there are some external force

acting on it. The vorticity within the core is non-zero and has an infinite value at the

vortex axis. The core region represents the vortex tube for free vortex motion. In the case

of Forced vortex motion, the vorticity of the flow everywhere within the fluid is non-zero

and finite causing flow to be rotational.

OBJECTIVE

The objective for this experiment was to determine free vortex and force vortex. In free

vortex, the objectives are to study the surface profile and speed of the vortex. Also want

to find the relationship between the surface profile and speed of the vortex. Study the

surface profile and angular velocity for the force vortex. The others objective also want to

find the relationship between surface profile and total head.

THEORY

A vortex is a spinning flow of fluid. Any spiral motion with closed streamlines is

considered vortex flow where the swirling motion of fluid towards the center point is

known as vortex. The speed and rate of rotation of the fluid for free vortex is the greatest

at the center point and decreases gradually as the distance is further away from the center.

As for forced vortex, the speed is zero at the center and increases proportional with

distance from center.

FREE VORTEX

Free vortex has an essential characteristic which it does not require the application of

any external force. The motion in the fluid might be permanent flow pattern and the

velocity will be constant with the time. The fluid particles moves in circle about a center

point, which makes the streamlines being concentric circles. The velocity is inversely

proportional to the distance from center. In non-technical terms, the fluid near the center

point will circulate faster. Based on vortex profile for all diameter of orifice and gradient

of the graph can be calculated using the equation:

Where;

X = pressure head/depth of the pitot tube

g = gravitational acceleration

r = radius

Based on the velocity which can be calculated from the pitot tube reading and the radius

profile:

Where;

V = velocity

g = gravitational acceleration

H = pitot tube difference

So theoretically, the velocity can be calculated using the equation;

FORCED VORTEX

In contrary with free vortex, fluid motion in forced vortex circles around the center

where speed and rate of rotation is the greatest at the center but decreasing as it moves

further away from center. Through the experiment, external force was created by addition

of paddle at the base of cylinder tank. The equation of forced vortex can be created by

applying Newtons Law to fluid element and assuming there is no shear stress acting on

the fluid. In conclusion, the equation is expressed as:

Where;

h = initial (non-rotating) surface height of the fluid

= height on the axis

= angular velocity

r = radius of cylinder

g = gravitational acceleration

This is a parabolic equation.

Surface profile for forced vortex can be represented by equation:

Distribution of total head can be represented by equation:

Where:

Z = Surface profile

= Angular velocity

r = Radius

g = Gravity

H = Total Head

Angular velocity can be calculated by:

Where:

Z = Surface profile

= Angular velocity

r = Radius

g = Gravity
APPARATUS

1. Orifice (diameter : 8mm, 12mm, 16mm, 24mm)

2. Paddle
3. SOLTEQ Free and Forced Vortex ( Model : FM 42)
4. Pitot tube
5. Steel rod

PROCEDURES

GENERAL START-UP

1. The study bench placed on the hydraulic bench.

2. The inlet and outlet hose were being set up.

3. The stand of the equipment adjusted to reach horizontal position.

GENERAL SHUT DOWN

1. The valves were closed and the pump was switched off.

2. The orifices, paddle and other accessories from the cylindrical vessel were removed.

EXPERIMENT 1 : FREE VORTEX

1. General start-up procedures were performed.

2. Orifice with diameter 24 mm was selected and placed on the base of the cylinder tank.

3. The output valve was closed and the inlet 3-way valve was adjusted to let the water

flows into the tank from two pipes with 12.5 mm diameter. The water can flow out

through the orifice.

4. The pump was switched on and control valve on the hydraulic bench was opened

slowly until the tank limit. The water level was maintained by adjusting the control valve.

5. The water level was stabilized. The vortex profile was being taken by measuring the

vortex diameter for several planes using the profile measuring gauge.

6. The profile measuring gauge was pushed until the both of sharp point touch the water

surface.

7. The measured height, h (from the top of the profile measuring gauge to the bridge) was

recorded. The value of a (distance from the bridge to the surface of the water level

(bottom level of the cutout)) was obtained.

8. The pitot tube was being used to measure the velocity by sinking it into the water at the

depth of 5 mm from the water surface. The depth of the pitot tube in water, H was

measured.

9. Step 3-8 were repeated for another three orifice with diameter 12 mm, 16 mm and 8

mm respectively.

10. The coordinates of vortex profile for all diameter of orifice were plotted in graph and
the gradient of the graph was calculated as shown below :

11. Graph of velocity which calculated from pitot tube reading versus radius of the profile

was plotted

EXPERIMENT 2 : FORCED VORTEX

1. Two pedals were placed on the base of the cylinder tank.

3. The output valve closed and the inlet 3-way valve was adjusted to let the water flows

into the tank from two pipes with 9.0 mm diameter. The water flow out through another

two pipes with 12.5 mm diameter.

4. The water was ensured to flow out from the tank with the siphon effect by raising the

hose to above the water level in the tank.

5. The outlet hose was ensured to being filled with water before letting the water to flow

into the sump tank in the hydraulic bench.

6. The angular speed of the pedals was measured by counting the number of circles in a

certain times.

7. The surface probe was pushed down until the sharp point touch the water surface.

8. The measured height, h (from top of the measuring gauge to bridge) recorded.

9. The coordinate of vortex profile for different angular velocity was plotted.
Results :

Experiment 1 : Free Vortex

Orifice diameter : 8mm

Diameter Measured Pitot Tube Pressure Velocity r(mm) r(mm) 1/r

at Height, h Head Head / (mm/s) (1/mm)
Centre, (mm) Difference, Depth of
D (mm) H (mm) the Pitot
Tube, X
(mm)

20 78 12 28 485.222 10.0 100.00 0.0100

26 99 10 27 442.945 13.0 169.00 0.0059
28 119 9 26 420.214 14.0 196.00 0.0051
Table 1

Figure 1
K2 /2g = 354.56
K = 2637.51
Actual and theoretical velocity for 8 mm orifice diameter

Radius , r (mm) Actual velocity (mm/s) Theoretical velocity

(mm/s)
10.0 485.222 263.75
13.0 442.945 202.89
14.0 420.214 188.39
Table 2

Figure 2
Orifice diameter : 12 mm

Diameter Measured Pitot Tube Pressure Velocity r(mm) r(mm) 1/r

at Height, h Head Head / (mm/s) (1/mm)
Centre, (mm) Difference, Depth of
D (mm) H (mm) the Pitot
Tube, X
(mm)

32 77 12 29 485.222 16.0 256.00 0.0039

33 98 9 28 420.214 16.5 272.25 0.0037
34 119 7 26 370.594 17.0 306.25 0.0035
Table 3

Figure 3

K2 /2g = 7500
K = 12130.54
Actual and theoretical velocity for 12 mm orifice diameter

Radius, r (mm) Actual velocity (mm/s) Theoretical velocity

(mm/s)
16.0 485.222 758.16
16.5 420.214 735.18
17.5 370.594 693.17
Table 4

Figure 4

Orifice diameter : 16mm

Diameter Measured Pitot Tube Pressure Velocity r(mm) r(mm) 1/r
at Height, h Head Head / (mm/s) (1/mm)
Centre, (mm) Difference, Depth of
D (mm) H (mm) the Pitot
Tube, X
(mm)

41 76 14 30 524.099 20.5 420.25 0.0024

43 97 13 29 505.035 21.5 462.25 0.0022
44 118 11 27 464.564 22.0 484.00 0.0021
Table 5

Figure 5
2
K /2g = 9285.7
K = 13497.61

Actual and theoretical velocity for 16 mm orifice diameter

Radius , r (mm) Actual velocity (mm/s) Theoretical velocity
(mm/s)
20.5 524.099 658.42
21.5 505.035 627.80
22.0 464.564 613.53
Table 6

Figure 6

Orifice diameter : 24mm

Diameter Measured Pitot Tube Pressure Velocity r(mm) r(mm) 1/r
at Height, h Head Head / (mm/s) (1/mm)
Centre, (mm) Difference, Depth of
D (mm) H (mm) the Pitot
Tube, X
(mm)

46 80 10 26 442.945 23.0 529.00 0.0019

48 99 9 27 420.214 24.0 576.00 0.0017
53 117 8 28 396.182 26.5 702.25 0.0014
Table 7

Figure 7

K2 /2g = -3947.4
K = math error
Actual and theoretical velocity for 24 mm orifice diameter

Radius ,r (mm) Actual velocity (mm/s) Theoretical velocity

(mm/s)
23.0 442.945 -
24.0 420.214 -
26.5 396.182 -
Table 8

Since k = math error, we can not calculate the theoretical velocity

Figure 8

Experiment 2 : Forced vortex

Distance ho (mm)
from First Second Third
centre, r Measured Theoretical Measured Theoretical Measured Theoretical
(mm)
0 66 66.0 82 82.0 104 104.0
30 67 67.5 86 86.5 108 108.6
70 73 75.8 87 89.9 109 112.4
110 76 82.9 91 98.3 110 118.3
No of 32 33 35
revolution
in 60s
Angular 3.35 3.45 3.67
velocity
(rad/s)
Table 9

First :

Figure 9

Second :
 Figure 10

Third :

Figure 11

Sample calculation :
Experiment 1: Free Vortex

Orifice diameter : 8mm

Calculation for Pressure Head / Depth of the Pitot Tube :

X = 330 - h A
=330-78-224
= 28 mm

From gradient of the graph pressure head against 1/r2 :

K2/2g = 354.56
K = (354.56 x 2 x 9.81 x 1000)0.5
K = 2637.51

Actual Velocity
V= (2gH)0.5 = (2(9.81 m/s2)(12 x 1000))0.5
= 485.222mm/s

Theoretical Velocity
V= K/r
=2637.51/ 10
=263.75 mm/s

Experiment 2: Forced vortex

First :
Calculation for theoretical h
w = 2(3.142) x revolution / 60 s
=2(3.142) x 32/ 60 =3.35 rad/s

h = h0 + (w2/2g) (r2)
= 66 + (3.35)2/ (2x 9.81x 1000) x 02
= 66
h = h0 + (w2/2g) (r2)
= 67+ (3.35)2/ (2x 9.81x 1000) x 302
= 67.5 mm

h = h0 + (w2/2g) (r2)
= 73 + (3.35)2 / (2 x 9.81 x 1000) x 702
= 75.8 mm

h = h0 + (w2/2g)(r2)
= 76 + (3.35)2/ (2x 9.81x 1000) x 1102
= 82.9 mm

Percentage Error (%)

By using :

((Measured Theoretical ) / Theoretical) x 100%

0First :
ho (mm)
Measured Theoretical Percentage error (%)
66 66.0 0
67 67.5 0.74
73 75.8 3.69
76 82.9 8.32

Second :
ho (mm)
Measured Theoretical Percentage error (%)
82 82.0 0
86 86.5 0.57
87 89.9 3.23
91 98.3 7.42

Third:
ho (mm)
Measured Theoretical Percentage error (%)
104 104.0 0
108 108.6 0.55
109 112.4 3.02
110 118.3 7.02
DISCUSSION

The experiment is divided into free vortex and force vortex. Therefore, in free vortex,

the experiment is conducted to study the surface profile and speed of vortex and also to

determine the relationship between them. On the other hand, in force vortex, the

experiment is conducted to study the surface profile and angular velocity of the vortex

and also to find the relationship between the surface profile and total head. The fluid mass

for the free vortex rotates only through internal action or some rotation previously

imported to it. Besides that, force vortex rotates by a constant torque exerted by some

external source onto the fluid mass.

For the first experiment, due to absence of the paddle on the shaft, the water in the

tank does not have any motion except the overflow. When the water in the tank reached a

steady state condition, the shaft was plugged out of the base and at once the free vortex

gets started. Orifices with different diameters at center D such as 24 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm,

and 8mm were used to observe and study the surface profile and speed of free vortex and

relationship between them. For the 8 mm diameters of orifice, the graph of pressure head

(mm) against 1/r2 (1/mm2), show that the pressure head is increasing linearly to the 1/r2

(1/mm2). For the second graph of 8 mm diameters orifice, it shows that the velocity

(actual and theoretical) is decreasing linearly to the radius with K value of 2637.5.

Besides for 12 mm diameters of orifice, the graph of pressure head (mm) against 1/r2

(1/mm2), show that the pressure head is increasing linearly to the 1/r2 (1/mm2). For the

second graph of 12 mm diameters, it shows that the velocity (actual and theoretical) is

decreasing linearly to the radius with K value of 12130.54. The graph of pressure head

(mm) against 1/r2 (1/mm2) for 16 mm diameters, show that the pressure head is increasing
linearly to the 1/r2 (1/mm2). For the second graph of 16 mm diameters of orifice, it shows

that the velocity (actual and theoretical) is decreasing linearly to the radius with K value

of 13497.61. For the 24 mm diameters, the graph of pressure head (mm) against 1/r2

(1/mm2), show that the pressure head is decreasing linearly to the 1/r2 (1/mm2). At 24 mm

diameters of orifice the graph should be in increasing linearly but we get decreasing

linearly. This is happening because of several errors such as human error and misjudging

the position of the h above the vortex. Moreover the eyes are not perpendicular to the

ruler when taking the reading of h. For the second graph of 24 mm diameters, it shows

that the velocity (actual) is decreasing linearly to the radius with K value of math error.

Since k = math error, we cannot calculate the theoretical velocity. From all

the graph describes above, all the orifices show common trends whereby the velocity

decreases as the radius of orifice increases.. This is proven in Table 1, 3 and 5 whereby

each orifice displayed this property. The comparison between different orifices also

shows that bigger orifice diameter will yield greater vortex. Then, there is the profile

between velocity and radius. The actual velocity is supposed to be constant just as

theoretical one but our data deviates greatly from it. This may be due to human error

when conducting the experiment. Besides, the pitot tube is broken. So, this will affect our

result.
 The second experiment has been conducted with the help of the hydraulic bench, the

hose and the Y-divider pipes and two quick releases were connected to the unit. The

outlet valve was kept fully open. The central shaft was placed in the orifice located at the

base of the cylinder; the paddle was located on the top of the shaft. The bridge piece was

placed on the top of the cylinder with the measuring needles inserted in the holes of the

bridge. Pump was switched on to fill the cylindrical vessel with the colored water. The

latter end of the outlet hose was lifted until the set up got filled with water. This

continued until the steady state was achieved. The measuring needles were adjusted until

the needles touched the surface of the vortex. The rotational speed of the paddle was

measured by counting the number of rotations in a specific time. This process was

repeated three times and the observed data has been made in tabular form. Figure 9, 10

and 11 shows that the value of the height of top measuring gauge to the bridge ho for the

measured data deviates slightly from the theoretical value. The measured ho for the 1st,

2nd, and 3rd trial is 66.0 mm, 67.5 mm, 75.8 mm and 82.9 mm respectively while the

theoretical ho is 104.0 mm, 108.6 mm, 112.4 mm, and 118.3 mm. The increase in angular

velocity also shows the increase in height from top of measuring gauge to bridge, h. The

deviation is very small and the percentage error is really small which is between 0% to

8.32%. So, we can conclude that the result data is acceptable and the experiment is

successful. It has been observed from the figures that the parabolic profile remains

invariant with the flow rate (speed of paddle) and the height of the lowest point of the

profile decreases with the increase in flow rate (paddle speed).

CONCLUSION

From the experiment 1, it can be concluded that when the radius of the orifice

increases, the velocity decreases. Besides, it can also be conclude that bigger orifice

diameter will produce greater vortex. In other words the velocity is decreasing linearly to

radial diameter and its variation with radius is of hyperbolic in nature for Free vortex

motion.. However, the product between velocity and radius is not constant as it supposed

to be due to human error.

As for experiment 2,. the object used for testing rotational nature of Forced vortex

shows that it may change its orientation from place to place indicating the existence of

rotation of the object about its mass centre. This shows that vorticity may not exist at

every point characterizing rotational aspect of the flow. The flow is irrotational in case of

free vortex motion whereas simultaneous existence of both rotation and revolution of the

fluid particles occur in Forced vortex motion. The stream function formed in forced

vortex is parabolic in nature . It can be conclude that when there are increase in angular

velocity, the slope of the curve also increases. When the the height of top measuring

gauge increase, ho , the angular velocity also increase. The percentage error between the

measured and theoretical are really small which is 0% to 8.32%. Overall. the objectives

were achieved even though the data obtained is slightly different with the theoretical

value.
RECOMMENDATIONS

1. The measuring gauge should be used properly and in correct way as it will affect

the result.
2. The orifice, paddle and others accessories should be removed from the cylindrical

vessel when not in use.

3. Wear PPE attire before conduct the experiment.
4. The eye must be perpendicular to the scale of the pitot tube or the ruler.
5. Observer must needs pay more attention when counting rotating paddles (for 60

seconds).
6. Do not touch or change the unrelated control valve of the apparatus during

experiment was held.

7. Avoid the leaked of water when the experiment was about spinning to maintain

the water level in cylindrical vessel.

REFERENCES

1. Thermofluids Laboratory Manual

2. Experimental Manual, SOLTEQ Equipment of Engineering Education

3. http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Vortex

4. http://www.shambhaviimpex.com/free-and-force-vortex-apparatus.html

5. http://nptel.ac.in/courses/112104118/lecture-14/14-4_forced_vortex_flow.htm
APPENDICES

Steel rod

Paddle

Orifice Pitot tube

Figure 2 :SOLTEQ Free and Forced Vortex ( Model : FM 42)