water with a density of 1 000 kg/m^3flowing through a tapered pipe.

The larger diameter of the pipe is 130 mm, while the smaller diameter is 105 mm. For the smaller diameter, the water pressure reading is 125 kN/m^2; for the larger diameter, the reading is 150 kN/m^2. Calculate the flow rate in l/s.

1 answer

To calculate the flow rate of water in a tapered pipe given the diameters, pressure readings, and density, we can use the principles of fluid dynamics, specifically the Bernoulli equation and the continuity equation.

Step 1: Parameters and Conversions

  • Density of water, \( \rho = 1000 , \text{kg/m}^3 \)
  • Larger diameter, \( D_1 = 130 , \text{mm} = 0.130 , \text{m} \)
  • Smaller diameter, \( D_2 = 105 , \text{mm} = 0.105 , \text{m} \)
  • Pressure at larger diameter, \( P_1 = 150 , \text{kN/m}^2 = 150,000 , \text{Pa} \)
  • Pressure at smaller diameter, \( P_2 = 125 , \text{kN/m}^2 = 125,000 , \text{Pa} \)

Step 2: Areas

Calculate the cross-sectional areas of both sections of the pipe:

\[ A_1 = \frac{\pi D_1^2}{4} = \frac{\pi (0.130)^2}{4} \approx 0.01327 , \text{m}^2 \] \[ A_2 = \frac{\pi D_2^2}{4} = \frac{\pi (0.105)^2}{4} \approx 0.00867 , \text{m}^2 \]

Step 3: Apply Bernoulli's Equation

Using Bernoulli's equation between the two points, we have:

\[ P_1 + \frac{1}{2} \rho v_1^2 + \rho g z_1 = P_2 + \frac{1}{2} \rho v_2^2 + \rho g z_2 \]

Assuming the height (\( z \)) of both points is the same (we can ignore the height), the equation simplifies to:

\[ P_1 + \frac{1}{2} \rho v_1^2 = P_2 + \frac{1}{2} \rho v_2^2 \]

Rearranging gives:

\[ P_1 - P_2 = \frac{1}{2} \rho v_2^2 - \frac{1}{2} \rho v_1^2 \]

Or:

\[ P_1 - P_2 = \frac{\rho}{2} (v_2^2 - v_1^2) \]

Step 4: Express Velocities in Terms of Each Other

From the continuity equation \( A_1 v_1 = A_2 v_2 \):

\[ v_2 = \frac{A_1}{A_2} v_1 \]

Substituting this into the Bernoulli equation gives:

\[ P_1 - P_2 = \frac{\rho}{2} \left( \left( \frac{A_1}{A_2} v_1 \right)^2 - v_1^2 \right) \]

Step 5: Solve for \( v_1 \)

Let's denote \( \frac{A_1}{A_2} = k \):

\[ k = \frac{0.01327}{0.00867} \approx 1.53 \]

The equation now becomes:

\[ P_1 - P_2 = \frac{\rho}{2} ( (k v_1)^2 - v_1^2 ) \] \[ 25,000 = \frac{1000}{2} ( (1.53 v_1)^2 - v_1^2 ) \]

Expanding and simplifying:

\[ 25,000 = 500 \left( 2.3409 v_1^2 - v_1^2 \right) \] \[ 25,000 = 500 (1.3409 v_1^2) \]

Dividing both sides by 500:

\[ 50 = 1.3409 v_1^2 \]

Solving for \( v_1^2 \):

\[ v_1^2 = \frac{50}{1.3409} \approx 37.24 \] \[ v_1 \approx \sqrt{37.24} \approx 6.1 , \text{m/s} \]

Step 6: Calculate \( v_2 \)

Using \( v_2 = k v_1 \):

\[ v_2 = 1.53 \times 6.1 \approx 9.33 , \text{m/s} \]

Step 7: Calculate Flow Rate

The flow rate \( Q \) can be calculated from:

\[ Q = A_2 v_2 \]

Converting to liters per second:

\[ Q = 0.00867 \times 9.33 \approx 0.08093 , \text{m}^3/s \quad (\text{in m}^3/s) \] \[ Q \approx 0.08093 \times 1000 \approx 80.93 , \text{l/s} \]

Thus, the flow rate of water in the pipe is approximately 80.93 l/s.