_________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

for

FORCED VORTEX APPARATUS




OBJECT: -
To plot the surface profiles of various forced vortices formed under different speed
conditions.

To verify the Formula

g
r
h
2
2 2

= for forced vortices where h is the height of surface of water

above datum point, is the vortex angular velocity & r is the radius of vortex


THEROEM:-

Generally vortex motion occurs when a constant torque is applied to the fluid mass. This forced vortex
motion has developed. If a cylinder containing some liquid is rotated about its vertical axis at a
constant angular velocity . The liquid inside the cylinder is forced to rotate with the cylinder. The
shape of the free surface of liquid, which is horizontal before rotation, will become concave, because
the liquid will rise above original surface at the edge of the vessel & it will fall down below the
original surface in the centre of the vessel. After a short time when a steady state of rotation will reach
by liquid, it will rotate as a solid mass with the container at the same angular velocity.
The liquid is then at rest with respect to its container & therefore no shear stress will exist in the liquid
mass. Due to the effect of centrifugal forces, there will be acceleration exerted on the rotating liquid
mass, acting radially inward from the outer periphery of the container towards the axis of rotation. In
other hand, due to the effect of centripetal acceleration, the pressure will vary along the radius in the
liquid mass.
Let a cylindrical vessel partly filled with the liquid be rotated at a constant angular velocity about a
vertical axis. Consider some portion of liquid of length d
r
and cross sectional area d
a
at a distance r
from the axis of rotation. As we know that, pressure various along the radius. Let P be the pressure at
radius r & [P+(dp/dr)dr] be the pressure at radius (r+dr). Thus the pressure forces acting at the two
ends are.
(PdA) and (P +(dp/dr) dr ) x dA
If W is the specific weight of liquid, then the mass of the liquid portion is
g
dr dA w

The centripetal acceleration exerted on the liquid mass at a radial distance r is (w
2
r), acting in the
radial direction towards the axis of rotation. Therefore the centripetal force exerted on the portion of
liquid is
) (
2
r
g
dr dA W
F =
The net pressure force exerted on prism acting towards the axis will be equal to the inertia force acting
outwards from the axis. Therefore at equilibrium.

+ ) ( ) ( ) (
2
r x
g
dr dA W
PdA dr
dr
dP
P
Or
) (
2
r
g
W
dr
dP
=



Again the distribution of fluid pressure in a forced vortex can be found out by using following
equation
) ( ) (
2
1
2 1
2
1
2
2
2 1 2
Z Z g r r
P P
+ =

The forced vortex motion is essentially a rotational motion because every fluid particle, in such a
motion rotates about its own axis as it moves along the curved path. Due to rotational motion,
Bernoullis equation can be applied to the same streamline, since at any point on the free surface of
liquid, the pressure is constant, being equal to the atmospheric pressure the free surface of liquid is a
surface of constant pressure which is a parabolic equation.
i.e
g
x
Z
2
2 2

= z
Further the pressure distribution in the vertical direction being hydrostatic. It may be noted that the
liquid will rise at the walls of the container by the same amount as it falls at the centre from the
original level at rest.

DESCRIPTION:
Forced vortex apparatus, for the study of the shape of forced vortices consists of a 190mm
diameter cylindrical transparent vessel of 300mm depth. The motion can be given to the rotating
mass with the help of a DC motor provided on apparatus. The profile of vortex formed at the top of
the vessel can be determined by the scale provided with the apparatus. This will give the co-
ordinate points required to plot the vortex profile.

UTILITIES REQUIRED:

Water Supply
Electricity 230 V Ac

PROCEDURE:

1. Clean the apparatus & make it free from dust.
2. Add water to the rotating vessel until it is about half full.
3. Set the RPM of motor with the help the varriac provided on panel
4. Measure the horizontal & vertical distance at different points of vortices with the help of scale
provided at the top of the vessel.
5. Note down the RPM of motor.
6. Take different observations by changing the speed of motor.
7. Switch off the power supply & drain the water.




OBSERVATION:-

Diamer of tank =190 mm
Height of tank =300mm

OBSERVATION TABLE:

S.No RPM X Y







CALCULATION:

sec /
60
2
rad
N
= (Angular velocity)
Acceleration due to gravity=g =9.81m/sec
2


Radius of rotation=-------- m

Height of surface of water above datum point

g
r
h
2
2 2

=

PRECAUTIONS & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Never run the apparatus if the power supply is less than 180 volts and above 230 volts.
2. Never switch ON mains power supply before ensuring that all the ON/OFF switches given on
the panel are at OFF position.
3. Keep all the assembly undisturbed.
4. Always note the readings very carefully.