C.
Free and forced vortices
1 Aim
The objectives of the experiment are:
1. To trace the free surface profile of liquid undergoing rigid body rotation with constant angular
velocity (ω) (forced vortex flow).
2. To trace the free surface profile of liquid undergoing drainage flow in a sink. (free vortex
flow).
2 Theory
2.1 Forced Vortex flow
When a rigid body (such as, a solid cylinder) rotates steadily about its own axis, the velocity (V )
of the points on the cylinder along the radial direction (r) will increase linearly with the distance
from the centre (V = rω), where ω refers to the angular velocity. Now, if we imagine that the
cylinder is hollow and filled with liquid, after a short settling period, the fluid rotates like a solid
body. The fluid particles adhere to the solid walls of the container. Such a rotary fluid motion, is
popularly known as Solid-body rotation or Rigid-body rotation or forced vortex flow. In a forced
vortex the fluid essentially rotates as a solid body (there is no shear). The fluid has vorticity,
Ω = ∇ × V = 2ω, (1)
everywhere. The tangential velocity is given by Vθ = rω.
When the cylindrical container is partially filled with liquid and rotates about its axis at an
angular speed ω, the free surface of the water assumes a paraboloidal shape. Choosing cylindrical
coordinate system (r, θ, z), we can notice that pressure (p) is a function of (r, z). Due to centrifugal
forces, p(r, z) increases towards the walls of the container, and is given by the following expressions.
∂p
= ρrω 2 (2)
∂r
∂p
= −ρg (3)
∂z
From the equation (2) above, we can find p(r, z) as follows:
ρr2 ω 2
p(r, z) = + f (z) (4)
2
Taking partial derivative with respect to z, we have
∂p
= f 0 (z) = −ρg. (5)
∂z
This in turn implies,
f (z) = −ρgz + const. (6)
1
Equation (4) becomes
ρr2 ω 2
p(r, z) = − ρgz + const. (7)
2
The constant can be obtained by using boundary conditions, viz. at r = 0, z = 0, p = pa , the
atmospheric pressure. This implies
ρr2 ω 2
p − pa = − ρgz. (8)
2
Along the surface p = pa , implies, a profile
r2 ω2
z(r) = , (9)
2g
which varies as a function of r2 , i.e the free surface is parabolic.
2.2 Free Vortex flow
When fluid is drawn down a plug-hole, one can observe the phenomenon of a free vortex or line
vortex. The tangential velocity Vθ varies inversely as the distance r from the center of rotation, so
the angular momentum, rVθ , is constant; the vorticity is zero everywhere (except for a singularity
at the center-line) and the circulation I
Γ= Vθ dx (10)
around a contour containing r = 0 has the same value everywhere. The free surface dips sharply
as the center line is approached. The tangential velocity is given by
Γ
Vθ = . (11)
2πr
In non-technical terms, the fluid near the center of the vortex circulates faster than the fluid far
from the center. The speed along the circular path of flow is held constant or decreases as you
move out from the center. At the same time the inner streamlines have a shorter distance to travel
to complete a ring.
3 Experimental setup
3.1 Forced Vortex flow
The set-up consists of a motor appropriately connected to rotate a cylindrical container which is
partially filled with liquid (mostly water + KMnO4). A needle (pointer) which can be traversed
both vertically and horizontally is mounted with suitable supports. The traverse can be used with
gentle hand movements to record the spatial positions, when the needle just touches the free surface.
3.2 Free vortex flow
The set up consists of a cylindrical tank with a bottom drainage hole into which water is discharged
tangentially through four outlets at the periphery of the tank. The inlet flow rate is measured by
a rotameter, which can be adjusted by an inlet valve. Adjusting the valve results in free vortex
2
walls. All the r, z coordinates of the profile are tabulated as shown below.
9. The procedure mentioned above is repeated for different speeds and different cylinder
diameters.
ω = ____rad/s; D =____ cm; Rvertex = _______ cm; Zvertex = _____ cm
Zvertex –
r scale reading; z scale reading Rabs - Rvertex
Zabs
Rabs (cm) Zabs(cm) R (cm) Z (cm)
Figure 1: Tabulation of data
Precautions:
in [Link]
Ensure that the
of various pointer doesn’t
tangential touch
velocities. Thethefree
rotating cylindrical
surface height is walls.
measured by a needle array
2. The cylinder must be securely attached to the platform,
fixed at the top of the tank. A pitot tube measures the total pressure only
at athen, theofexperiment
radius 18mm from
should be started.
the centre of the free vortex.
4 Procedure 7
4.1 Forced Vortex flow
1. The cylindrical container is firmly mounted on the platform and the screws should be fastened
so that the cylinder is held firmly.
2. The cylindrical container is partially filled with water + KMnO4 solution. The level of this
partial filling should depend on the angular velocity (ω).
3. Then the motor is started at a low rpm and is slowly changed to obtain the required ω.
4. After reaching steady state, the vertical traverse is gently lowered so that the pointer comes
in contact with the vertex of free surface. The readings in the horizontal and the vertical
scales are noted down.
5. Readings should be taken only when the steady state motion is reached.
6. Then the needle is moved along the vertical direction to identify the free surface.
7. To start with, centre of the vortex is identified as (Rvertex , Zvertex).
8. The r, z coordinates of the free surface is found and for different values along the radial
direction with suitable intervals, till the needle reaches the proximity of cylinder walls. All
the r, z coordinates of the profile are tabulated as shown below.
9. The procedure mentioned above is repeated for different speeds and different cylinder diam-
eters.
Precautions:
3
Flow rate RPS Height of the free surface
Table 1: Tabulation of free surface heights
q
Flow rate Pitot Tube radius hf hd hd − hf hT K= (hT − (hd − hf ))2gr2
Table 2: Tabulation of pressures
1. Ensure that the pointer doesn’t touch the rotating cylindrical walls.
2. The cylinder must be securely attached to the platform, only then, the experiment should be
started.
3. If the cylinder starts to wobble a lot, the experiment must be stopped immediately and the
error rectified.
4. Extra care must be taken while handling the glass cylinder.
4.2 Free vortex flow
1. Open the three-way inlet valve so that the water goes into the tank through the tangential
pipes adjusted at 60◦ and flow out through the bottom orifice inside the tank.
2. Adjust the inlet valve until the water flows through the overflow, this keeps the volume
constant.
3. When the free vortex is stable, place the measure bridge on top of the tank with the Pitot
tube of the smallest radius (15mm). Measure the profile of the vortex by adjusting the height
of the different needles in the measure bridge so that the tip of the needles touch the free
surface
4. Adjust the Pitot tube so that its tip touches the free surface, note this position as hf . Then
move the tip of the Pitot tube down below the free surface, approximately by 5mm; note this
position hd . Close the top outlet of the pressure measurement tube, take the measurement
bridge out and measure the height of the water column in the tube hT from the pitot tube
orifice level.
5. Repeat the pressure measurement for the same flow rate with Pitot tubes of 21 mm, 27 mm
and 33 mm.
5 Results & Discussion
5.1 Forced vortex flow
The following results are to be presented.
4
1. Plot a graph between experimentally measured r/R and z/(R2 2ω 2 /2g). Plot for at least 3
different angular velocities. Comment on the plot that you obtain.
2. Plot the expected theoretical profile that you expect on the above plot. Comment on the plot
that you obtain.
3. Assume that you fix one end of a string - that would other wise float in the liquid - in an
off-centre location at the bottom of the tank. Sketch its position when the tank is not rotating
and when it is rotating.
5.2 Free vortex flow
1. Plot the free surface profiles of the free vortex (height vs r) for different flow rates on the
same plot
2. Plot the variation of pressure with radius
3. Plot the variation of K with radius
4. Plot K/r vs r and compare with the theoretical Vθ
b) Free Vortex flow
References