11 NOVEMBER 2020

FREE AND
FORCED
VORTICES
LAB REPORT

Cvng 2005
Mechanics of Fluids 2
Year 2Sem .1

REPORT BY:
SARAH BOODHANSINGH
816014579

LAB GROUP: 2
1 CONTENTS
2 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 2
3 Objective ......................................................................................................................................... 2
4 Theory ............................................................................................................................................. 2
5 Apparatus ........................................................................................................................................ 3
6 Procedure ........................................................................................................................................ 4
6.1 For free vortex: ........................................................................................................................ 4
6.2 For Forced Vortex: ................................................................................................................... 4
7 Experimental Data ........................................................................................................................... 5
8 Sample Calculations ......................................................................................................................... 6
8.1 For the 1st table of the experimental data: ............................................................................... 6
8.2 For the 2nd table of the experimental data:............................................................................... 6
9 Analysis ........................................................................................................................................... 7
9.1 For the Free Vortex .................................................................................................................. 7
9.2 For the Forced Vortex .............................................................................................................. 9
10 Discussion .................................................................................................................................... 9
10.1 Trends ...................................................................................................................................... 9
10.2 Sources of Error ..................................................................................................................... 10
10.3 Civil Engineering Applications ................................................................................................. 10
10.4 Improvements to the Experiment........................................................................................... 10
11 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 10
12 References ................................................................................................................................. 11

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2 INTRODUCTION

A vortex can be simply described as a rotating mass of fluids. They can occur in two scenarios which

would be classified as either a forced vortex or a free vortex. A forced vortex is one that is caused by an

externally applied torque, for example the fluid inside of a bucket when it is rotated about its central

axis. When no external torque is required to rotate the fluid mass, that type of flow is called a free

vortex and an example of this is a whirlpool in a river.

3 OBJECTIVE

- To study the formation and behaviour of both free and forced vortices.

- To experimentally verify the theoretical velocity fields of both free and forced vortices.

4 THEORY

The velocity (V) of the vortex flow field is a function of the radius(r) away from the centre of the vortex,

this can be expresses as,

𝑉 = 𝑓(𝑟)

Forced vortices are rotational in nature, meaning that the fluid particles rotate around its own axis as

well as the fluid rotating about the central axis of the vortex. This type of vortex is represented by the

equation,

𝑉 =𝑘×𝑟

(Where k is the constant, angular velocity)

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Free vortices are irrotational in nature, meaning that the fluid particles do not rotate around its own

axis, it just rotates about the central axis of the vortex. This type of vortex is represented by the

equation,

𝑉 = 𝑘/𝑟

(Where k is a constant)

5 APPARATUS

Figure 1: showing the apparatus used for the free and forced vortices lab.

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6 PROCEDURE

6.1 FOR FREE VORTEX:

1. The 16mm diameter orifice was attached.

2. The HM-150.14 Vortex Apparatus was energised, and it was ensured that the reservoir had

sufficient water.

3. The Vernier callipers were secured onto the main apparatus.

4. The radial flow valve was then slowly opened to carry out the required measurements.

5. The tangential flow valve was then slowly opened to carry out the required measurements.

6. The generator vortex depth was maintained by placing a finger over the outflow.

7. The radius (r) of the vortex was then recorded at four (4) different depths (h).

8. The apparatus was switched off and the steps 1-7 were repeated for the 24mm diameter orifice.

6.2 FOR FORCED VORTEX:

1. The orifice was removed, and the paddle was attached to the apparatus.

2. It was ensured that the inflow valve was opened.

3. The radius (r) of the vortex was recorded at four (4) different depths.

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7 EXPERIMENTAL DATA

Radius/r Radius/r Depth/h hmax

Orifice Size (mm) Test # (mm) (m) (mm) (mm) V(m/s) Log(v) Log(r)

1 19 0.019 120 1.129 0.053 -1.721

16 2 9 0.009 100 1.291 0.111 -2.046

3 7 0.007 92 185 1.351 0.131 -2.155

4 6 0.006 85 1.401 0.146 -2.222

1 22 0.022 109 1.112 0.046 -1.658

24 2 16 0.016 95 172 1.229 0.090 -1.796

3 12 0.012 85 1.306 0.116 -1.921

4 9 0.009 72 1.401 0.146 -2.046

Radius

h(mm) (mm) Radius(m) V(m/s) Log(v) Log(r)

174 90 0.09 1.848 0.267 -1.046

153 50 0.05 1.733 0.239 -1.301

145 30 0.03 1.687 0.227 -1.523

165 70 0.07 1.799 0.255 -1.155

190 110 0.11 1.931 0.286 -0.959

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8 SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

8.1 FOR THE 1ST TABLE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL DATA:

Looking at the highlighted row it can be seen:

• The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th columns were the given data.

• The 4th column was calculated using ,

𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠(𝑚𝑚) 19
𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠(𝑚 ) = = = 0.019 𝑚
1000 1000

• The 7th column was calculated using,

(ℎ𝑚𝑎𝑥 − ℎ) (185 − 120)

𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑉 = √ ×2×𝑔 = √ × 2 × 9.81 = 1.129 𝑚/𝑠
1000 1000

• The 8th column, 𝐿𝑜𝑔(𝑣) = 𝐿𝑜𝑔(𝑉) = 𝐿𝑜𝑔(1.129) = 0.053

The 9th column, 𝐿𝑜𝑔(𝑟) = 𝐿𝑜𝑔(𝑟) = 𝐿𝑜𝑔(0.019) = −1.721

8.2 FOR THE 2ND TABLE OF THE EXPERIMENTAL DATA:

• The 1st and 2nd columns were the given data.

The 3rd column was calculated using,

𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠(𝑚𝑚 ) 90
𝑅𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑢𝑠(𝑚 ) = = = 0.09 𝑚
1000 1000

• The 4th column,

ℎ 174
𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦, 𝑉 = √2 × 𝑔 × ( ) = √2 × 9.81 × ( ) = 1.848 𝑚/𝑠
1000 1000

• The 5th column, 𝐿𝑜𝑔(𝑉) = 𝐿𝑜𝑔(1.848) = 0.267

• The 6th column, 𝐿𝑜𝑔(𝑟) = 𝐿𝑜𝑔(0.09) = −1.046

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9 ANALYSIS

9.1 FOR THE FREE VORTEX

Graph 1 Showing Velocity(V) vs Radius(r) for the Size 16mm

and Size 24mm Orifice of a Free Vortex
Size 16 Size 24 Poly. (Size 16) Poly. (Size 24)
1.450
1.400
1.350
Velocity (m/s)

1.300
1.250
1.200
1.150
1.100
1.050
1.000
0 0.005 0.01 0.015 0.02 0.025
Radius (m)

Graph 2 of Log(v) vs Log(r) for the 16mm Orifice

0.20

0.10

0.00
-2.50 -2.00 -1.50 -1.00 -0.50 0.00 0.50
Log (V)

-0.10

-0.20
y = -0.1841x - 0.2646

-0.30

-0.40
Log(r)

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 Graph 3 of Log(v) vs Log(r) for the24mm Orifice
0.20

0.10

0.00
-2.50 -2.00 -1.50 -1.00 -0.50 0.00 0.50
-0.10
Log (V)

-0.20

-0.30
y = -0.2545x - 0.3726
-0.40

-0.50
Log(r)

For the 16mm log graph, it can be determined that the y-intercept would be -0.2646

∴ log 𝑘 = −0.2646

𝑘 = 10−0.2646 = 0.544 𝑚 2 /𝑠

For the 24mm log graph, it can be determined that the y-intercept would be -0.3726

∴ log 𝑘 = −0.3726

𝑘 = 10−0.3726 = 0.424 𝑚 2 /𝑠

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9.2 FOR THE FORCED VORTEX

Graph 4 Showing Velocity vs Radius for a Forced

Vortex
1.95
y = 3.0161x + 1.5883
1.9
Velocity (m/s)

1.85

1.8

1.75

1.7

1.65
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12
Radius (m)

From the graph, the angular velocity can be determined from the slope of the graph which is 3.0161.

10 DISCUSSION

10.1 TRENDS

From graph 1, it can be determined that the velocity is inversely proportional to the radius because as

the radius decreased the velocity increased. This relationship was more closely examined by plotting a

log(V) vs log(r) graph for each of the orifices (Graph 2 and 3) so that the constant of proportionality, k,

could be more easily determined. For the 16 mm orifice, this constant worked out to be 0.544 m2/s. For

the 24mm orifice, the constant worked out to be 0.424. From this, we can see that as the size of the

orifice increased, the constant decreased. This relationship however would need to be verified by doing

more tests with different sized orifices. From Graph 4, it can be determined that there is a direct linear

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relationship between the velocity and the radius because with an increase in velocity there was an

increase in the radius. This data therefore supports the equation for the velocity in forced vortices which

is V=ωr. If a straight-line analysis was done, one could see that from the graph obtained, the angular

velocity would be 3.0161 and there would be a y-intercept. From the equation, however, the graph

should pass through the origin so this must be due to some error when collecting the data.

10.2 SOURCES OF ERROR

When taking the readings, there could be parallax errors possible, especially since the fluid being

measured is moving.

10.3 CIVIL ENGINEERING APPLICATIONS

Vortices is a phenomenon that can be observed both in nature and in everyday life such as hurricanes

and tornadoes or unplugging the sink. They can also be observed from whirlpools formed in bodies of

water and they can be used to explain aerodynamic drag.

10.4 IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXPERIMENT

This experiment can be improved by reducing the errors to increase the accuracy of the experiment.

This can be done by taking more readings as finding the average of these should bring the results nearer

the true values. The experiment should also be done for more orifice sizes to further explore the

relationship between the orifice size and the constant, k.

11 CONCLUSION

The formation and behaviour of free and forced vortices were studied and the theoretical velocity fields

of the free and forced vortices were verified. The k value obtained for the 16 mm orifice was 0.544 and

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the k value obtained for the 24 mm orifice was 0.424 for the free vortices. For the forced vortex, the

angular velocity obtained was 3.0161/s.

12 REFERENCES

Nalluri, C, R. E Featherstone and Martin Marriott. 2009. Civil Engineering Hydraulics. Malden, Mass:

Blackwell Science.

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