Fluid Mechanics Tutorials (25MRB4202)
Tutorial 4: Mass conservation and fluid energy
At the end of this session the student should have a complete understanding of the following concepts:
1. Apply the mass equation to balance the incoming and outgoing flow rates in a flow system.
2. Recognize various forms of mechanical energy, and work with energy conversion
3. efficiencies.
4. Understand the use and limitations of the Bernoulli equation, and apply it to solve a variety of
fluid flow problems.
5. Work with the energy equation expressed in terms of heads, and use it to determine turbine
power output and pumping power requirements
Tutorial Questions
1. A hair dryer is basically a duct of constant diameter in which a few layers of electric
resistors are placed. A small fan pulls the air in and forces it through the resistors where
it is heated. If the density of air is 1.20 kg/m3 at the inlet and 1.05 kg/m3 at the exit,
determine the percent increase in the velocity of air as it flows through the dryer.
2. A 1-m3 rigid tank initially contains air whose density is 1.18 kg/m3. The tank is connected
to a high-pressure supply line through a valve. The valve is opened, and air is allowed to
enter the tank until the density in the tank rises to 7.20 kg/m3. Determine the mass of air
that has entered the tank. Answer: 6.02 kg
3. The ventilating fan of the bathroom of a building has a volume
flow rate of 30 L/s and runs continuously. If the density of air
inside is 1.20 kg/m3, determine the mass of air vented out in
one day.
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Fluid Mechanics Tutorials (25MRB4202)
Tutorial 4: Mass conservation and fluid energy
4. A desktop computer is to be cooled by a fan whose flow
rate is 0.34 m3/min. Determine the mass flow rate of air
through the fan at an elevation of 3400 m where the air
density is 0.7 kg/m3. Also, if the average velocity of air is
not to exceed 110 m/min, determine the diameter of the
casing of the fan. Answers: 0.238 kg/min, 0.063 m.
5. Consider a river flowing toward a lake at an average velocity of 3 m/s at a rate of 500
m3/s at a location 90 m above the lake surface. Determine the total mechanical energy
of the river water per unit mass and the power generation potential of the entire river
at that location. Answer: 444 MW
6. Electric power is to be generated by installing a hydraulic turbine–generator at a site 70
m below the free surface of a large water reservoir that can supply water at a rate of 1500
kg/s steadily. If the mechanical power output of the turbine is 800 kW and the electric
power generation is 750 kW, determine the turbine efficiency and the combined turbine–
generator efficiency of this plant. Neglect losses in the pipes.
7. Water is pumped from a lake to a storage tank 20 m above at a rate of 70 L/s while
consuming 20.4 kW of electric power. Disregarding any frictional losses in the pipes and
any changes in kinetic energy, determine (a) the overall efficiency of the pump–motor
unit and (b) the pressure difference between the inlet and the exit of the pump.
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Fluid Mechanics Tutorials (25MRB4202)
Tutorial 4: Mass conservation and fluid energy