Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Report
Pressure Drop Unit
1. Title:
Experiment to Calculate Pressure Drop Between Two Points Using Bernoulli’s Principle
in Pressure Drop Unit
2. Objective:
To apply Bernoulli's principle, measure the pressure drop between two points: from pipe
section 1 (Point 1) to pipe section 2 (Point 2).
3. Theory:
Bernoulli’s Equation expresses the principle of conservation of mechanical energy in fluid
flow. For an incompressible, non-viscous fluid in steady-state conditions, it can be
formulated as:
P1/ρg+1/2g*w12+h1=P2/ρg+1/2g*w22+h2
Where:
P = Pressure (Pa)
w = Fluid velocity (m/s)
ρ = Fluid density (kg/m³)
g= Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
h= Elevation above a reference plane (m)
This equation shows how pressure, velocity, and elevation are related in steady, incompressible
fluid flow.
4. Apparatus:
5. Procedure:
o Set the flow rate to 7000, 6000, 4000, and 2000 liters per hour (l/h) in the software for
each step.
o Activate the pump.
o Record the hydrostatic pressure difference in millimeters of water (mmH₂O)
o Calculate the total pressure drop using the Bernoulli equation
6. Observations
Table 1. Measured values
Steps Delta Pst, mmH2O Flow rate, l/h
a 33 2049
b 44 4044
c 249 6094
d 421 6939
Point 1 (d) 18.1 mm
Diameters
Point 2 (D) 30.5 mm
Note: Elevations are equal to each other
7. Calculations:
1. Calculate the fluid velocity at Point 1 and Point 2 for each step. Additionally, friction
losses are ignored. Using flow rate the fluid velocity at Point 1 and Point 2 can be
calculated as:
w = Vs/A
Where Vs is the flow rate, and A and w represent the area and velocity, respectively.
2. Use Bernoulli’s equation to relate the pressure, velocity, and height:
3. Calculate total pressure drop between point 1 and point 2
I. Calculation of velocity:
Point 1: Inner cross-sectional area A = πd2 / 4 = 3.14*(18.1mm) 2 /4 = 2.57e-4 m2
Mean velocity w1a = 5.69e-4 m3 s-1 / 2.57e-4 m2= 2.21 m/s
Mean velocity w1b = 1.12e-3 m3 s-1 / 2.57e-4 m2= 4.36 m/s
Mean velocity w1c = 1.69e-3 m3 s-1 / 2.57e-4 m2= 6.58 m/s
Mean velocity w1d = 1.93e-3 m3 s-1 / 2.57e-4 m2= 7.51 m/s
Point 2 (pipe section):
Inner cross-sectional area A = πD2 / 4 = 3.14*(30.5 mm) 2 /4 = 7.30e-4 m2
Mean velocity w2a = 5.69e-4 m3 s-1 / 7.30e-4 m2= 0.78 m/s
Mean velocity w2b = 1.12e-3 m3 s-1 / 7.30e-4 m2= 1.53 m/s
Mean velocity w2c = 1.69e-3 m3 s-1 / 7.30e-4 m2= 2.32 m/s
Mean velocity w2d = 1.93e-3 m3 s-1 / 7.30e-4 m2= 2.64 m/s
II. Calculation of Velocity head
Point 1:
Velocity head hv1a = 1/2g*w1a2 = ½ * (2.21 m/s)2 /9.81 m/s2= 0.25 mmH2O
Velocity head hv1b = 1/2g*w1b2 = ½ *(4.36 m/s)2 /9.81 m/s2= 0.97 mmH2O
Velocity head hv1c = 1/2g*w1c2 = ½ *(6.58 m/s)2 /9.81 m/s2= 2.21 mmH2O
Velocity head hv1d = 1/2g*w1d2 = ½ *(7.51 m/s)2 /9.81 m/s2= 2.88 mmH2O
Point 2:
Velocity head hv2a = 1/2g*w2a2 = ½ * (0.78 m/s)2 /9.81 m/s2= 0.03 mmH2O
Velocity head hv2b = 1/2g*w2b2 = ½ * (1.53 m/s)2 /9.81 m/s2= 0.12 mmH2O
Velocity head hv2c = 1/2g*w2c2 = ½ * (2.32 m/s)2 /9.81 m/s2= 0.27 mmH2O
Velocity head hv2d = 1/2g*w2d2 = ½ * (2.64 m/s)2 /9.81 m/s2= 0.36 mmH2O
III. Elevation head
In this experiment, the elevations are equivalent and have been neglected in the Bernoulli
equation, as they effectively cancel each other out.
IV. Total pressure difference calculation:
P1/ρg+1/2g*w12+h1=P2/ρg+1/2g*w22+h2
P1/ρg - P2/ρg = 1/2g*w22 - 1/2g*w12
ߡP = 1/2g*w12 - 1/2g*w22 + (P1/ρg - P2/ρg) = 1/2g*w22 - 1/2g*w12 + ߡPst
ߡPa = 0.25 mmH2O - 0.03 mmH2O + 33 mmH2O = 33.22 mmH2O
ߡPb = 0.97 mmH2O - 0.12 mmH2O + 44 mmH2O = 44.85 mmH2O
ߡPc = 2.21 mmH2O - 0.27 mmH2O + 249 mmH2O = 250.94 mmH2O
ߡPd = 2.88 mmH2O - 0.36 mmH2O + 421 mmH2O = 423.52 mmH2O
8. Results:
Total Delta P, Flow rate, Mean Velocity Mean Velocity Velocity Head Velocity Head
Steps
mmH2 O m3/s m/s at Point 1 m/s at Point 2 mmH2O at Point 1 mmH2O at Point 2
a 33.22 5.69E-04 2.21 0.78 0.25 0.03
b 44.85 1.12E-03 4.36 1.53 0.97 0.12
c 250.94 1.69E-03 6.58 2.32 2.21 0.27
d 423.52 1.93E-03 7.51 2.64 2.88 0.36
9. Graph ߡP vs Vs :
10. Discussion:
Steady-State Assumption: The flow is considered to be in a steady-state condition,
meaning that all flow properties (such as velocity, pressure, and density) remain constant
over time. Under this assumption, friction losses and energy dissipation are regarded as
negligible.
Bernoulli Principle Validation: The results showed that the pressure drop in the system
increased as the flow rate increased, in accordance with Bernoulli's equation, which
describes the conservation of mechanical energy in fluid flow.
11. Conclusion:
According to Bernoulli's equation, as the flow rate increases, the corresponding rise in fluid
velocity leads to an increase in the pressure [Link] calculated Total Pressure drops are 33.22,
44.85, 250.94, 423.52 in mmH2O for 2049, 4044, 6094, 6939 in l/h accordingly.
