FLUID FLOW

DAURESHOVA ELMIRA
 FLOW MEASUREMENTS

Flow rate is the quantity of fluid passing a point at a particular moment. Total flow is the
quantity of fluid that passes a point during a specific time interval. For example, the flow
rate of pumping a fluid may be given in gallons per hour and the total flow is the total
gallons pumped.
The flow rate of liquids is
expressed in volumetric or
mass units. The flow rate of
gases and vapors is usually
expressed in volumetric units.
 DENSITY AND SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Density is mass per unit volume. Common units of density are pounds per cubic foot ( or
lb/cu ft) and grams per cubic centimeter ( or g/cu cm). Density varies with changes in
temperature.
Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a reference fluid. For liquids, the reference
fluid usually water. For gases, the reference fluid is usually dry air.
When two liquids that do not mix are in a container, the one with lower specific gravity
will float on top of the one with higher specific gravity.
For example, many oils have specific gravities between 0.75 and 0.85 at ambient
temperatures. Water has a specific gravity of 0.998 at 68ºF. The oils will remain on top of
the water unless agitated. This is why motor oil and gasoline float on water.
 VISCOSITY
Absolute viscosity is the resistance to flow
of a fluid and has units of centipoise (cP).
Kinematic viscosity is the ratio of absolute
viscosity to fluid density that has units of
centistokes (cS). The viscosity of many
commercial fluids, like oils, is commonly
specified as an allowable range at a certain
temperature. Viscosity is affected by
temperature and other factors and normally
decreases with increasing temperature.
Many fluids must be preheated before being
pumped.
REYNOLDS NUMBER

A Reynolds number is the ratio between the inertial forces moving a fluid and viscous
forces resisting that movement, it describes the nature of the fluid flow. The Reynolds
number has no units of measure and is calculated from velocity or flow rate, density,
viscosity, and the inside diameter of a pipe. Reynolds numbers commonly range from
100 to 1,000,000. However, they can be higher or lower than these values.

• Laminar Flow
Laminar flow is smooth fluid flow that has a flow profile that is parabolic in shape with
no mixing between the streamlines. Laminar flow in pipes occurs at Reynolds numbers
below about 2100. A cross section of a laminar flow stream is a parabolic flow profile,
with the maximum velocity in the center and the minimum velocity at the pipe walls.
 REYNOLDS NUMBER
• Turbulent Flow
Turbulent flow is fluid flow in which the
flow profile is a flattened parabola, the
streamlines are not present, and the fluid
is freely occurs at Reynolds numbers
above about 4000. the exact shape of the
flattened profile depends on the Reynolds
number.

There is a sudden transition between

laminar flow and turbulent flow as the
flow rate increases. The exact transition
point cannot be easily predicted, but it
normally occurs at Reynolds numbers
between 2100 and 4000.
 REYNOLDS NUMBER
Calculating the Reynolds numbers. There are many forms of the Reynolds number equation, depending on the
measurement units used.
One common form of this equation is as follows: For example, water has a viscosity of 1.0 cP () at and a density of
62.4 (). When the water is pumped at 1.0 ft/sec (v) through a 3’’
Re = 1488 pipe (d, 0.25’), the Reynolds number is as follows:

where Re = 1488
Re = Reynolds number
v = velocity (in ft/sec) Re = 1488
d = inside diameter of the pipe (in ft)
= density (in lb/cu ft) Re = 23,213
= viscosity (in cP)
1488 = constant conversion factor A Reynolds number of 23,213 is in the turbulent region.
 COMPRESSIBILITY

An incompressible fluid is a fluid where there is very little change in volume when subjected to a change in pressure.
Liquids are essentially incompressible. For example, fluid power systems transmit power through an incompressible
hydraulic fluid.
A compressible fluid is a fluid where there volume and density change when subjected to a change in pressure. Gases
and vapors are compressible fluids. Since gases and vapors are compressible, the pressure and temperature at the point
of measurement affect their volume.

• Standard Conditions
A standard condition is an accepted set of temperature and pressure conditions used as a basis for measurement.

• Flowing Conditions
A flowing condition is the pressure and temperature of the gas or vapor at the point of measurement.
 GAS LAWS
The three gas laws, Boyle’s law, Charles’ law, and Gay-Lussac’s law, provide the basis for determining the volume of a
gas at one set of pressure and temperature conditions when data from another set of conditions are known.
Boyle’s Law Charles’ Law Gay-Lussac’s Law
Boyle’s law is a gas that states that Charles’ law is a gas law that states Gay-Lussac’s law is a gas law that
the absolute pressure of a given that the volume of a given quantity states that the absolute pressure of a
quantity of a gas varies inversely of a gas varies directly with its given quantity of a gas varies directly
with its volume provided the absolute temperature provided the with its absolute temperature
temperature remains constant. pressure remains constant. Charles’ provided the volume remains
Boyle’s law is expressed as follows: law is expressed as follows: constant. Gay-Lussac’s law is
expressed as follows:
= or = = or =
= or =
where where
P2 = final pressure (in psia) T2 = final temperature (in ) where
P1 = initial pressure (in psia) T1 = initial temperature (in ) T2 = final temperature (in )
V2 = final volume (in cubic units) V2 = final volume (in cubic units) T1 = initial temperature (in )
V1 = initial volume (in cubic units) V1 = initial volume (in cubic units) P2 = final pressure (in psia)
P1 = initial pressure (in psia)
QUESTIONS:

1. What is the difference between flow rate and total flow?

2. What is cP and cS?
3. What is the difference between compressible and incompressible fluid?
4. Name and explain gas laws.