TOPIC 1.

INTRODUCTION and FLUID STATICS 1

1.6 Tutorial Topic 1

1. A pressure gauge on the top of a liquid filled tank reads 3.5 barg. A
sight glass (with a connection at the base of the tank) indicates the
tank has 3 m of liquid inside which the operators believe is water.

Take atmospheric pressure to be 780 mmHg and then calculate the

absolute pressure (kN/m2) acting at the base of the tank.

2. The closed tank shown in the diagram below is partially filled with oil,
density 900 kg/m3. There is an inclined glass tube (inclined at an angle of
30o to the horizontal) and the oil fills the tube to a length of 0.8 m (see
diagram below). There is no flow through the tank or the tube.

If atmospheric pressure may be taken to be 101.325 kPa and, if a gauge

on top of the tank records a pressure in US units of 0.2 psig, estimate the
depth of liquid inside the tank.

Assume that there is no sight-glass or other level measurement fitted to

the tank and the arrangement is as shown below:

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TOPIC 1. INTRODUCTION and FLUID STATICS 2

3. A fluid is flowing through a pipe with pressure P1 (N/m2) and density ρ 1

(kg/m3). A manometer, with fluid density ρ 2 (kg/m3), is correctly
attached to the pipe. The left-hand and right-hand limb readings are h1
and h2 (m) respectively. Derive an expression for the absolute
pressure inside the pipe P1 as a function of the manometer readings
and fluid densities and prevailing barometric pressure.

4. A fluid flowing through a pipe has a density equal to 900 (kg/m3). The
Process Engineer wishes to measure the static pressure of the fluid in
terms of (kN/m2 gauge). A mercury-filled manometer (s.g. 13.6) is
correctly attached to the pipe and the readings are as follows:

Height h1 = 0.20 m (see below)

Height h2 = 0.30 m above “A” (see below)

If an absolute pressure instrument is fitted to the pipe calculate the

reading that should be obtained from the instrument if the prevailing
barometric pressure is 766 mm Hg.

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TOPIC 1. INTRODUCTION and FLUID STATICS 3

5. The de-Nouy ring method is one way that the surface tension may be
measured. Research the “Pendant Drop Method” experimental
technique and derive the formula needed in order to estimate the
surface tension.

(a) A pendant drop of water is forming in air at the bottom of a tube 5

mm in diameter. If the tube is attached to an accurate weighing
system and the mass of the drop, immediately before it detaches,
is known to be 0.1168 mg, estimate the surface tension of water
in air using this method – do not apply any shape correction.

(b) If a de-Nouy ring tensiometer is used on the same air-water

system, estimate the force needed to stretch the water film using
a de-Nouy platinum ring 6 cm in circumference – do not apply
any correction factors.

6. A glass tube 5 mm in diameter is placed in a beaker of clean water,

density 1000 (kg/m3), surface tension 73 × 10 −3 (N/m). If the contact
angle between the wetting clean water and the glass is 41o, calculate
the capillary rise in the tube (mm) and then the capillary pressure
(N/m2).

7. A glass tube 5 mm in diameter is placed in a beaker of clean mercury,

specific gravity 13.6, surface tension 472 × 10 −3 (N/m). If the contact
angle between the non-wetting mercury and the glass is 93.1o,
calculate the capillary depression in the tube (mm) and then the
capillary entry pressure for the mercury to enter the tube (N/m2).

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TOPIC 1. INTRODUCTION and FLUID STATICS 4

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TOPIC 2. FLUID DYNAMICS 1

2.7 Tutorial Topic 2

1. A fluid has a viscosity 0.001 N s/m2 and it is placed between two plates
1 mm apart. The upper plate is moving at a speed of 0.5 m/s, the lower
plate is stationary. The force applied to the upper plate, at equilibrium,
must equal the shear stress times the area, calculate the shear stress
(N/m2) experienced by the upper plate caused by viscous drag of the
fluid.

2. A fluid of density 800 kg/m3 and a viscosity of 5 x 10-3 N s/m2 flows in a

2 inch diameter pipe with a volumetric flow rate of 0.001 m3/s.
Calculate the Reynolds Number and judge what flow regime exists in
the pipe.

3. Show from first principles that for laminar flow in a pipe of circular
cross-section, the velocity profile is given by:

 ∆P  d    2r  
2 2

∴v =    1 −   
 L  16 µ    d  

Use the alternative derivation, where an element of fluid is considered

rather than a plug of fluid (Douglas, Gasiorek, Swaffield and Lynne,
2006). The Tutor will assist students with this derivation and the results
should be included in the blank pages provided in the student slide
pack. Either derivation is acceptable in an examination.

4. Fluid of viscosity 0.01 N s/m2 flows under laminar flow conditions in a

pipe of 1 inch diameter. The length of the pipe is 60 m and, if the fluid
undergoes a total pressure drop of 20 Pa over the entire length,
calculate the volumetric flow rate (m3/s)

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TOPIC 2. FLUID DYNAMICS 2

5. For fully-developed turbulent flow, the velocity profile is given

empirically by Prandtl’s 1/7th Power Law:

1/ 7 1/ 7
v  y  r
=   = 1 − 
v max R  R

Use this expression to show that the mean velocity u is equal to

49
u= v max
60

6. Water at 15°C flows along a pipe of diameter 150 mm at 3.5 m3/hr.

Calculate the flowrate of an oil at 32°C flowing along a pipe of 51 mm
diameter, so that the flow regime in both cases will be the same.

Data on the water and oil is given below:

Fluid 15°C 32°C

Density Viscosity Density Viscosity
(kg/m3) (N s/m2) (kg/m3) (N s/m2)
Water 999 1.1 x10-3 995 0.767 x10-3
Oil 858 4.410 x10-3 897 2.960 x10-3

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TOPIC 3. FRICTIONAL PRESSURE LOSS and FLOW MEASUREMENT 1

3.5 Tutorial Topic 3

1. A pipeline is 50 mm in diameter, has absolute roughness 0.045 mm and

has an inlet at “1” and an outlet at “2”. Between these two points there
are 70 m of straight pipe, two 90o elbows and one half open gate valve.
The diameter of the pipe is constant but point “2” is 10 m above point “1”.

If the liquid flowrate is 0.005 m3/s and if its density and viscosity are 880
kg/m3 and 1.1 x 10-3 N s/m2 respectively, then determine the following:
a) Calculate the total pressure drop from point “1” to point “2”.
b) Calculate the total pressure drop when the flowrate falls to a much
lower value of 0.00005 m3/s.

2. Show that for an orifice plate meter,

2(P1 − P2 )
u1 = C d
 A12 
ρ  − 1
2
A 2 

Where, A2 = Ao = Cross sectional area of the orifice opening (m2)

An orifice plate meter, diameter 0.025 m, is placed in a pipe which is

0.05 m in diameter. The fluid density is 1000 kg/m3. If the upstream
tapping pressure is 200 kN/m2 and the downstream tapping pressure is
150 kN/m2 and if the discharge coefficient is 0.7, determine the following:
a) The upstream velocity, volumetric flow rate and mass flow rate in
the pipe.
b) Show how an orifice plate equation might be derived if it were to
tilted upwards at a 30° angle.

3. A fluid with viscosity 0.04 N s/m2 and density 890 kg/m3 flows under
laminar flow conditions in a pipe of 1 inch diameter. The length of the
pipe is 60m. If the volumetric flowrate is 90 l/min, determine the following
a) Calculate the frictional pressure loss
b) Determine the minimum flow rate (l/min) needed for turbulent flow.

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TOPIC 3. FRICTIONAL PRESSURE LOSS and FLOW MEASUREMENT 2

4. A Venturi meter is fitted into a 2” line. Its throat diameter is 1”. Fluid of
density 1100 kg/m3 flows in the line and the ΔP is 2000 N/m2. If the
discharge coefficient of the meter is 0.95, calculate the volumetric flow
rate in the pipeline.

5. Liquid flows along a frictionless horizontal pipe. The flowrate is metered

using both a venturi and an orifice meter, arranged in parallel, as shown
below.

Assuming energy losses due to fittings can be neglected, calculate the

percentage of the overall flow that passes through each meter.

Additional data:
• Pipe diameter is 50.8 mm.
• Orifice plate Cd is 0.65 and the orifice throat diameter is 38.1 mm.
• Venturi Cd is 0.95 and the venturi throat diameter is 38.1 mm .

6. Calculate the pressure difference between the two ends of the pipeline
shown in the diagram below:

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TOPIC 3. FRICTIONAL PRESSURE LOSS and FLOW MEASUREMENT 3

Additional data:
• Pipeline diameter 3 in.
• Fluid flow rate is 0.01 m3/s.
• Fluid density is 1100 kg/m3.
• Fluid viscosity is 0.6 x 10-3 N s/m2.
• Pipe absolute roughness is 0.035 mm.

7. A fluid of density 60 lb m /ft3 flows along a 6” diameter pipe, with a delivery

pressure of 10 psi. The flow is to be measured by a venturi meter with a
throat diameter of 3” and a discharge coefficient of 0.96.

If the pressure along the pipe must not fall below 8 psi, calculate the
maximum volumetric flow rate (m3/s) the venturi meter can measure.

8. A rotameter has a diameter of 20 mm when reading zero (base) and 25

mm when reading maximum flow (top). The tube is 0.3 m in length and
increases uniformly in diameter from base to top.

The float has a diameter of 20 mm, a density of 5000 kg/m3 and a

volume of 4.5 cm3. If the rotameter has a coefficient of discharge of 0.65
and if the fluid is saline water, density 1050 kg/m3, calculate the
maximum mass flow rate of saline water that the rotameter can measure.

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TOPIC 3. FRICTIONAL PRESSURE LOSS and FLOW MEASUREMENT 4

©HERIOT-W ATT UNIVERSITY B48BB April 2016 v3

TOPIC 4. PUMP SYSTEMS and PUMP SIZING 1

4.5 Tutorial Topic 4

1. A pump with electrical motor rated as 4 kW, is used to pump a liquid at a

flow rate of 0.005 m3/s. If the measured pressure drop across the pump,
at this flowrate, was is 5 bar, calculate the pump efficiency.

2. A pump with an efficiency of 80%, is used to transfer water at 3.5 l/s

from a reservoir 3 m below the pump’s suction point, to a header tank 40
m above the pump’s discharge point using an 8 cm diameter pipe.
Assume that the pump is “self-priming” and is, therefore, suitable for
“suction lift”.

A pressure of 96 kN/m2 abs is measured at the pump’s suction. If the

pressure in the discharge tank is known to be 220 kN/m2 abs, calculate
the power consumed by the pump’s motor.

Assume that all losses, on both suction & discharge lines, due to friction,
bends, fittings etc., are equal to 4 velocity heads.

3. Water is pumped from a suction vessel which is open to the atmosphere,

to a second discharge vessel operating at 6 bara pressure. The required
flowrate is 55 m3/hr. The PVC pipeline diameter is 3.5 in throughout the
suction and the discharge.

The suction line details are as follows:

• Six elbows, one gate valve (50% open), three T junctions and the
suction pipeline has a physical length of 15 m.
• The suction vessel is 2 m above the pump suction.
(In the case of centrifugal pumps it is not good practise to
partially close pump suction valves. This scenario is considered
here purely to demonstrate the likely consequences of such an
action).

The discharge line details are as follows:

• One gate valve (50% open), two ball valves (100% open) and the
discharge line has a physical length of 20 m.
• The discharge is 15 m above the pump.

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TOPIC 4. PUMP SYSTEMS and PUMP SIZING 2

If the pump supplier has selected the DAB NKP-50-250 pump (230
diameter impeller), determine the following:
a) The suction and discharge head and hence the pump head at the
required flowrate.
b) The pump power.
c) The minimum NPSH value available and compare this to the
manufacturer’s required NPSH.

Given the answer to the last part, determine whether or not this pump
will be suitable for this duty and discuss the likely consequences if the
operator fully opens the gate valve on the discharge side of the pump.

See pump data sheet below:

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TOPIC 4. PUMP SYSTEMS and PUMP SIZING 3

4. A pump is to pump a liquid, density 703 kg/m3, from an atmospheric

pressure tank to a reactor. The liquid vapour pressure is given by the
Antoine equation as follows:

( )
log P sat = 6.9094 −
1349.82
T + 209.6

Where,
5. P sat = Saturated vapour pressure (mm Hg)
T = Temperature of fluid (oC)

Ignoring suction friction losses and losses due to bends and fittings, if
the maximum possible fluid temperature is 35°C and, if the vertical
distance from the pump to the level inside the suction tank is 2 m,
calculate the available NPSH.

5. A centrifugal pump drains a water condenser which operates at a

pressure of 150 (mm Hg absolute). From the pump suppliers curves the
pump required a minimum NPSH of 2.5 m.

If the vapour pressure, at the prevailing water temperature, is 720 (mm

Hg vacuum) and, if frictional and other fitting pressure losses are
equivalent to a total suction friction head loss of 2 m, calculate the least
height the pump must be located below the water level in the condenser.

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TOPIC 4. PUMP SYSTEMS and PUMP SIZING 4

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TOPIC 5. Non-Newtonian Fluids 1

5.5 Tutorial Topic 5

1. The following viscometer readings were obtained for three different

fluids:

Shear Rate Shear Stress

(1/s) Fluid “1” Fluid “2” Fluid “3”
(N/m2) (N/m2) (N/m2)
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 1.0 1.2 0.7
0.2 2.0 2.0 1.8
0.3 3.0 2.6 3.5
0.4 4.0 3.0 5.6
0.5 5.0 3.3 8.2
0.4 4.0 2.6 5.6
0.3 3.0 2.0 3.5
0.2 2.0 1.2 1.8
0.1 1.0 0.2 0.7

Given the above, determine the following:

a) Plot shear stress against shear rate and, from these graphs,
identify whether fluid is Newtonian or non-Newtonian and, if non-
Newtonian, identify the fluid category.
b) For any Power Law fluids that may be present determine the
Power Law index (Oswald-de Waele power) n .
c) Explain, with reference to microscopic fluid structure, why some
fluids behave in a non-Newtonian manner.

2. A suspension of fine solids can often be modelled either as Power Law

or as Bingham Plastic fluids. Experimental data, over the shear rate
range 20 (1/s) to 70 (1/s), has been fitted to the Power Law model. If,
after data regression, the Power Law index (Oswald-de Waele power)
and consistency constant are n = 0.315 and k = 8.33 (N s0.315/m2)
respectively, determine the following:
a) Calculate the yield stress and the plastic viscosity parameters for
the Bingham Plastic model.
b) Calculate u / v max using the Power Law model, compare it to a
Newtonian fluid and identify whether this fluid is shear thinning or
shear thickening and, thus, identify the non-Newtonian category.

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TOPIC 5. Non-Newtonian Fluids 2

3. A Power Law fluid has Power Law index (Oswald-de Waele power)
n = 0.315 , assuming laminar flow determine the following:
a) Plot (using r / d ratios of 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) the velocity
profile in terms of v / v max , where v is the point velocity at any
radius and v max is maximum velocity at pipe centreline.
b) Repeat the above (on the same plot) for a Newtonian fluid.

4. A Newtonian fluid is flowing through a 25 mm I.D. tube and has a density

of 850 (kg/m3) and a viscosity of 5x10-3 (N s/m2), calculate the following:
a) The average velocity that will produce a Re of 1000.
b) The average velocity that will produce a Re MR of 1000, assume
fluid is a Power Law fluid with a Power Law index n = 0.315 and a
consistency constant of k = 8.33 (N s0.315/m2). Take the density
and pipe diameter to be the same for both fluids.
c) The pressure drop, per 100 m of tubing, for both fluids.
d) Recalculate the pressure loss for each fluid but at the same
average velocity as the Newtonian fluid.

5. A Newtonian fluid is flowing through a 25 mm I.D. smooth PVC tube and

has a density of 850 (kg/m3) and a viscosity of 5x10-3 (N s/m2), calculate
the following:
a) The average velocity and flow rate that will produce a Re of
10000.
b) The Reynolds Number for a fluid flowing with the same average
velocity as the Newtonian fluid, but now assume that the fluid is a
Power Law fluid with a Power Law index n = 0.315 and a
consistency constant of k = 8.33 (N s0.315/m2). Take the density
and pipe diameter to be the same for both fluids.
c) The φ − friction factor for both fluids, using a suitable correlation.
d) The frictional pressure drop for both fluids, assuming a tubing
length of 100 m.
e) The minimum power needed to drive both fluids through 100 m of
horizontal straight pipe with no fittings.

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