INSTRUCTIONAL MANUAL
FREE AND FORCED VORTEX
#-3, Pooja Vihar, Opposite Industrial Estate, Ambala Cantt-133006
Contact:-90345-76033
Email: -
[email protected] UNIT DESCRIPTION:
The unit is designed for training and experimentation purposes. It was developed with a view to
producing and examining free and forced vortices. The free vortex is generated by way of
discharge from a vessel. Various outlets of differing diameter can be fitted in the bottom of the
vessel. The vortex profile can be determined using a combined device for measuring radius and
height.
The forced vortex is generated by way of a vane driven by a water jet. The profile of the forced
vortex is recorded with height gauge. The velocity of the free and forced vortices can
be measured using a pitot tube. The values determined permit comparison of
experimentation and theory.
Water is supplied either by way of the Hydraulic Bench or via the laboratory mains.
The Hydraulic bench permits construction of a closed water circuit.
The unit essentially consist of the following:
1. Base plate
2. Inlet Connection
3. Tangential inlet
4. Radial outlet
5. Interchangeable central outlet
6. Gauge for measuring radius and height
7. Transparent vortex vessel
Preparation for and performance of experiment
Position test set-up on HD150 such that drain and overflow route water into drainage channel or
volumetric tank.
- Insert fittings in base plate in line with desired experiment.
Forced vortex:
Vane with cover plate and shaft.
Free vortex:
Outlet of differing diameter.
Make hose connection between Hydraulic bench and unit and open drain of Hydraulic bench.
The volume of water can be regulated with the valve provided at the outlet of radial connection.
Measure the height and radius of the vortex with the help of gauge provided.
Velocity determination by way of number of revolutions
The best method of measuring the velocity of the vortex is to allow a small piece of paper or
polystyrene to drop onto the surface. Then use a stopwatch to determine the time taken for the
piece of paper to perform 10 revolutions with the vortex. The radius on which the paper revolves
must also be known.
The angular velocity is:
𝜔 = 2. 𝜋. 𝑛 𝑖𝑛 1/𝑠
N in Revolution/second
The velocity v can then be obtained as a function of radius r:
V = 𝜔 . 𝑟 𝑖𝑛 𝑚/𝑠
For a forced vortex, a stopwatch can be used to measure the time for the vane revolutions. As
however the friction between liquid and vessel wall decelerates the vortex, the real vortex
velocity is approx. 20% lower than the vane velocity.
Vvortex = 0.8 ⋅ Vvane
Experiments
As both vortices are extremely unstable, some of the test series have to be performed in steps.
For this purpose, the vortex can be repeatedly built up to a specific height.
Free Vortex
In the free vortex, the product of v. r is a constant. The angular velocity is thus governed by the
radius. The height h over the bottom can therefore be calculated as a function of the radius r, the
maximum vortex height hmax and the constant
k = v ⋅ r as follows:
h = hmax – K2 /(2.g.r2) where g = 9.81 m/s2
Observation table:
Height h
in mm
Radius r
in mm
The measured values can be plotted in the graph. Radius vs. height
Radius r in mm
Forced Vortex
With forced vortex formation the angular velocity can be substituted directly into the
equation for the vortex contour. It is constant over the radius. The height h over the
bottom of the vortex as a function of radius r and angular velocity is thus:
𝜔2 𝑟 2
h= where g = 9.8 m/s2
2.𝑔
For the measurement results the vane with shaft was positioned in the bottom of the
vessel. The vortex is generated by the movement of the vane. This requires the inflow of water
via the tangential inlet. The vortex angular velocity is determined by counting the number of
vane revolutions:
Observation table:
Height h
in mm
Radius r
in mm
The measured values can be plotted in a graph. Radius vs height.
