Problem 6.

54 [Difficulty: 3]

Given: Flow rate through siphon

Find: Maximum height h to avoid cavitation

Solution:
2
p V
Basic equation + + g ⋅ z = const Q = V⋅ A
ρ 2

Assumptions: 1) Incompressible flow 2) Inviscid 3) Steady 4) Along a streamline

3
L −3m kg
Available data Q = 5⋅ Q = 5 × 10 D = 25⋅ mm ρ = 999⋅ p atm = 101⋅ kPa
s s 3
m

3 2
Q 4⋅ Q 4 m ⎛ 1 ⎞ m
From continuity V= = V= × 0.005⋅ × ⎜ V = 10.2
A
π⋅ D
2 π s ⎝ .025⋅ m ⎠ s

Hence, applying Bernoulli between the free surface and point A

p atm pA 2
V
= + g⋅ h + where we assume VSurface <<
ρ ρ 2

2
V
Hence p A = p atm − ρ⋅ g ⋅ h − ρ⋅
2

From the steam tables, at 20oC the vapor pressure is p v = 2.358 ⋅ kPa

This is the lowest permissible value of pA

V
2 p atm − p v V
2
Hence p A = p v = p atm − ρ⋅ g ⋅ h − ρ⋅ or h= −
2 ρ⋅ g 2⋅ g

3 2 2 2
kg⋅ m
− × ⎛⎜ 10.2 ⎞ ×
3 N 1 m s m s 1
Hence h = ( 101 − 2.358 ) × 10 ⋅ × ⋅ × × h = 4.76 m
2 999 kg 9.81⋅ m 2 2 ⎝ s⎠ 9.81⋅ m
m N⋅ s