PROCESS FLUID FLOW (PFF 260S)

Chapter 1: Fluid Statics

1.1 Manometry

The response of a typical U- tube manometer and an inclined- tube manometer to a small increase in
pressure is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1: U-Tube Manometer and Inclined- Tube Manometer

As a small increase in pressure occurs at the left leg of the manometer, the gauge fluid moves
downwards while it moves upwards in the right leg of the manometer. The small change in pressure
causes a small change in height as indicted by h and L for the U- tube manometer and the inclined-
tube manometer respectively. However, U- tube manometers cannot measure this small change in
height accurately. Though the volumes may be the same, h and L are not equal (i.e. L is greater than
h). Therefore, inclined- tube manometers are able to measure small changes in pressure as compared
to U- tube manometers.

Figure 2 illustrates a manometer inclined at angle 30°. The purpose is to develop an equation that will
express the pressure difference between point A and B. Remember,

 the pressure at the same level is the same

 When descending in height, pressure increases
 When ascending in height, pressure decreases

Dr B. Godongwana Page 1 of 6
 Figure 2: Manometer inclined at angle 𝜃

Find ℎ2 :

𝑂
Sin𝜃 =𝐻

ℎ
= 𝐿2
2

∴ ℎ2 = 𝐿2 sin𝜃

Start from point A and follow the path of the manometer till point B.

𝑃𝐴 + 𝛾1 ℎ1 - 𝛾2 ℎ2 - 𝛾3 ℎ3 = 𝑃𝐵

Substitute 𝐿2 sin𝜃 in the place of ℎ2

𝑃𝐴 + 𝛾1 ℎ1 - 𝛾2 𝐿2 sin𝜃 - 𝛾3 ℎ3 = 𝑃𝐵

∴ 𝑃𝐴 - 𝑃𝐵 = 𝛾2 𝐿2 sin𝜃 + 𝛾3 ℎ3 - 𝛾1 ℎ1

Dr B. Godongwana Page 2 of 6
1.2 Example 1

Calculate the pressure in pipe B.

Figure 3: Manometer inclined at angle 30°

Step 1: Develop the pressure difference equation

𝑃𝐴 + 𝛾1 ℎ1 - 𝛾2 ℎ2 - 𝛾3 ℎ3 = 𝑃𝐵

𝑃𝐴 + 𝜌1 𝑔ℎ1 - 𝜌2 𝑔ℎ2 - 𝜌3 gℎ3 = 𝑃𝐵

Step 2: If there is a need, simplify equation

The fluid at point A and B is the same hence

𝜌1 = 𝜌3

Also, ℎ1 = ℎ3

Therefore terms 𝜌1 𝑔ℎ1 and 𝜌3 gℎ3 cancel.

∴ 𝑃𝐴 - 𝜌2 𝑔ℎ2 = 𝑃𝐵

𝑃𝐴 - 𝜌2 𝑔(𝐿2 sin𝜃) = 𝑃𝐵

𝜌2 = SG x 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

= 2,6 x 1000

𝑘𝑔
= 2600 𝑚3

Dr B. Godongwana Page 3 of 6
Step 3: Substitute values

𝑃𝐵 = (4137) – (2600) (9,81) (0,2032 sin 30)

= 4137 – 2591,41

𝑁
= 1545,59 𝑚2

1.3 Example 2

Determine the change in the elevation of mercury in the left leg of the manometer as a result of an
increase in pressure of 34475 Pa while the pressure in pipe B remains constant.

Figure 4: Example 2, initial case, manometer inclined at angle 30°

Step 1: Develop the pressure difference equation for the initial case

Initial equation:

𝑃𝐴 𝐼 + 𝜌1 gℎ1 - 𝜌2 g𝐿2 sin𝜃 - 𝜌3 gℎ3 = 𝑃𝐵 𝐼

Step 2: Identify the final heights

Final heights are indicated in red

Dr B. Godongwana Page 4 of 6
 Figure 5: Example 2, final case, manometer inclined at angle 30°

Step 3: Develop pressure difference equation for the final case

Final Equation:

𝑃𝐴 𝐹 + 𝜌1 g(ℎ1 + 𝑥) - 𝜌2 g(𝐿2 sin𝜃 + x+ zsin𝜃) - 𝜌3 g(ℎ3 - zsin𝜃) = 𝑃𝐵 𝐹

Step 4: Subtract initial equation from final equation

Final equation – Initial equation:

(𝑃𝐴 𝐹 - 𝑃𝐴 𝐼 ) + 𝜌1 g(𝑥) - 𝜌2 g(zsin𝜃 + x) + 𝜌3 g(zsin𝜃) = (𝑃𝐵 𝐹 - 𝑃𝐵 𝐼 )

Step 5: Simplify the equation

Volume at section x = volume at section z

𝜋𝑟 2 x = 𝜋𝑟 2 z

2
0.0127 2 6,35 𝑥 10−3
( 2
) x =( 2
) z

4,03 𝑥 10−5
Z= 1,01 𝑥 10−5
x

= 4x

Substitute 4x in the place of z:

Dr B. Godongwana Page 5 of 6
(𝑃𝐴 𝐹 - 𝑃𝐴 𝐼 ) + 𝜌1 g(𝑥) - 𝜌2 g(4xsin30 + x) + 𝜌3 g(4xsin30) = (𝑃𝐵 𝐹 - 𝑃𝐵 𝐼 )

Pressure at A increases by 34475 Pa: ∆𝑃𝐴 = 34475 Pa

Pressure at B remains constant: ∆𝑃𝐵 = 0

𝑘𝑔
Density of mercury: 13560 𝑚3

𝜌3 = SG x 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

= 0,9 x 1000

𝑘𝑔
= 900 𝑚3

Step 6: Substitute values

(34475) +(1000) (9,81) X – (13560) (9,81) (3X) + (900) (9,81) (2X) = 0

34475 + 9810x – 399070,8X + 17658X = 0

∴ X = 0,09277 m

References

Geankoplis, C.J. 1993. Transport Processes and Unit Operations. 3rd ed. Prentice Hall: New Jersey.
Munson, B.R., Young, D.F. & Okiishi, T.H. 2006. Fundamentals of fluid mechanics. 5th ed. New York:
John Wiley.

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