LABORATORY MANUAL & INSTRUCTION

FACULTY OF CHEMICAL & ENERGY

ENGINEERING

FLUID MECHANICS LABORATORY

TITLE OF EXPERIMENT: MEASUREMENT

OF JET FORCES (E5)

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1.0 Objective

The objective of this experiment is to measure the force exerted by a fluid jet impinging upon
a flat plate or a hemispherical surface and to compare the results with the theoretical values.

2.0 Introduction

Water jet from a small opening, with a high velocity, when exerted on a surface of plate
will produce force that gives power to move a system. The principle of jet impact is the
basis for the understanding of liquid flow in turbines. This principle is used in designing
impulse turbines. In these turbines part of the fluid energy is transformed into kinetic energy
in a nozzle (or a set of nozzles) which issues a jet of fluid at high speed. The jet strikes the
moving blades, mounted on the turbine wheel, producing the force required to drive it.

3.0 Theory

A jet of fluid when impinging upon a flat or a curved surface generates a force due to change
of momentum of the fluid according to Newton’s second law of motion. For example, when
water of a velocity is forced out from a jet nozzle with diameter d (in this case nozzle
diameter = 10mm) on a plate, the rate of change of momentum produced and its
magnitude is the same with the force exerted on the surface of the plate to support the
water jet.

Force = Rate of momentum change of water jet

= (mass of fluid/time) x change of velocity

The force (F) generated by a jet of water as it strikes depends on the shape of the plate
surface, e.g. flat plate or a curved (hemispherical) surface.

Diagrams 1-2 show a jet of fluid issuing from a nozzle of diameter‘d’, and moving vertically
upward with velocity v and strikes a stationary surface. The jet is deflected by the vane
through an angle θ and the fluid leaves the vane with velocity v’

The force generated is

Fth  mv  v'
 ρavv  v cos  (Eq. 1)
 ρav  ρav cos
2 2

where,

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Fth = Theoretical force exerted on the plate (Newton)

  a = Cross-sectional area of nozzle (m2)
   = Density of water (kg/m3)
  θ Angle of water flow after impact on the plate surface
  v = Velocity of water jet before impact on the plate surface
v’ = Velocity of water jet after impact on the plate surface

Water jet

Figure 1: Flat Surface

Water jet

Figure 2: Hemispherical Surface

For flat plate (Figure 1) , θ = 90o, therefore cos θ = 0 , so

Fth  ρav 2 (Eq. 2)

For hemispherical plate (Figure 2), θ = 180o, therefore cos θ = -1, So

Fth  avv   v 
(Eq. 3)
 2 av 2

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4.0 Apparatus
The apparatus consists of an upward discharging jet surrounded by a clear Plexiglas tube
provided with levelling screws. The plate located directly over the jet is mounted on a
stainless steel spindle, which passes through the top plate of the apparatus. A weight pan
is mounted on the upper end of this spindle Water is supplied from the lab faucet (supply
valve) to the inlet of the apparatus via a hose. Water flowing through the nozzle strikes
the flat plate and deflects from the flat plate and falls to the base of the clear Plexiglas
tube where it exit and drain in the sink.

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5.0 Experimental Procedure

5.1 Preparing the Experiment
1. Open the sliding valve of the HM 150 (see Figure 3)
2. Assemble the deflector (see Figure 4);
• Loosen the 3 screws (a) on the cover (b) and remove cover
together with lever mechanism.
• Fit the appropriate deflector and tighten the lock nut (c)
on the rod.
• Screw cover back onto tank.

Figure 3

Figure 4

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5.3 Performing the Experiment

Figure 5

1. Use the adjusting screw to set the pointer to zero (zero notch). When doing so, do
not place any loading weights on the lever mechanism.
2. Apply the desired loading weight (1N, 2N, 5N).
3. Close the valve of the HM 150.
4. Switch on the pump of the HM 150.
5. Carefully open the valve of the HM 150 until the pointer is on zero again.
6. Close the sliding valve of the HM 150.
7. Determine the volumetric flow. This involves recording time t required to fill up
the volumetric measuring tank of the HM 150 from 5 to 10 litres.
8. Add loading weights and note down time, t for 5 litres.
9. Switch off the pump.
10. Open the sliding valve.
11. When the experiment is completed, close the control valve (clockwise). Switch
off both pumps. Don’t forget to clean and dry all equipment used.

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6.0 Experimental data

Water density,  = 1000 kg/m3

Water velocity of the jet by the nozzle with diameter d = 10 mm

Q
V  
A
 m   liter   1   m 
3
  x 2 
  3
x 
s  s  m   10 liter 
where
V = Water velocity (m/s)
Q = Volumetric flow rate of water
A = Area of nozzle with diameter “d” (m2)

A  x d 2 ... m 2
4
2
π  m 
   x d mm  x  3 
2

4  10 mm 
Flate plate
Weight Fmea Time Q V Fth Percentage of relative error
Force (Newton) (Second) (L/S) (m/s) (Newton) Fmea  Fth
(Newton) % x100
Fth

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Hemispherical plate
Weight Fmea Time Q V Fth Percentage of relative error
force (Newton) (Second) (L/S) (m/s) (Newton) Fmea  Fth
(Newton) % x100
Fth

Note: (1) Nozzle size, d = 10 mm

7.0 Discussion

a) Discuss the trend of the measured force, Fmea respective to different velocity of water,
V for both flat and hemispherical plates.
i) Referring to the plotted graph, explain the differences observed for the slope
obtained with the theoretical value for both flat and hemispherical plates.
ii) Also, explain the differences observed for the y-intercept ratio obtained with
the theoretical ratio for both flat and hemispherical plates.
b) Relate and discuss the differences of the force exerted on the hemispherical vane with
the one on the flat plate.
c) Discuss factors contributing to the errors or inaccuracy in experimental data and
propose recommendation for the improvement.
d) Suggest the applications (at least two) of Jet Impact in industry.