Power of Water Pump (from continuity?)

In summary: QUESTION: Why can't I use KE + PE to find power?Power is not just the change in kinetic and potential energy of the water, but also the work done on the water by the pump. This work is what ultimately transfers energy to the water and increases its kinetic and potential energy. In this problem, the pump is raising the water and simultaneously giving it a constant velocity, so both kinetic and potential energy must be taken into account. Using Bernoulli's equation and the volumetric flow rate, we can calculate the pressure and thus the power of the pump.
  • #1
mbrmbrg
496
2

Homework Statement



Water is pumped steadily out of a flooded basement at a speed of 5.5 m/s through a uniform hose of radius 1.2 cm. The hose passes out through a window 2.9 m above the waterline. What is the power of the pump?

Homework Equations



[tex]R_v=Av[/tex]
[tex]R_m=\rho Av[/tex]

where P is power, W is work, and K is kinetic engery:
[tex]P=\frac{W}{\Delta t}[/tex]
[tex]W=\Delta K=\frac{1}{2}mv^2-\frac{1}{2}mv_0^2[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]R_v=Av=\pi r^2v=(\pi)(.012 m)^2(5.5 m/s)=0.002488 m^3/s[/tex]

[tex]R_m=\rho Av=(1000 kg/m^3)(0.002488m^3/s)=2.488kg/s[/tex]

[tex]Power=\frac{W}{\Delta t}=\frac{\Delta K}{\Delta t}=(\frac{1}{2}m{v_f}^2-\frac{1}{2}m{v_i}^2)/(\Delta t)[/tex]

Take delta time to be 1s, initial velocity (water sitting in basement) to be 0m/s, final velocity (water in pipe) to be 5.5m/s, mass dealt with in one second is 2.488kg.
NOTE: I think my error lies here; something was assigned a totally evil value. Probably my choices of velocity.

But going with the values I picked, I got [tex]P=(\frac{1}{2})(2.488 kg/s)(5.5 m/s)^2=37.63W[/tex]

This be wrong. I be sad.
 
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  • #2
As a first thought, use Bernoulli to calculate the pressure at the pump knowing the velocities and elevation changes. Use the pressure to calculate power via
[tex]P = pQ[/tex] where

[tex]P[/tex]= Power
[tex]p[/tex]= pressure
[tex]Q[/tex] = volumetric flow rate
 
  • #3
You seem to be overlooking the [itex]\rho gh [/itex] term.

AM
 
  • #4
The [tex]\rho g h[/tex] is taken care of in Bernoulli in the [tex]\gamma \Delta z[/tex] terms.
 
  • #5
I don't think I know that much Bernoulli... the only Bernoulli equation that we've covered in class so far is[tex]p+\frac{1}{2}\rho v^2+\rho gy=constant[/tex]. And the problem claims that it can be solved without even that. Sigh.
 
  • #6
That's just a different form of it. That is correct. Like I mentioned, you can calculate the pressure at the pump, i.e. P1 from Bernoulli. You know the constant velocity and density, so the two terms with velocity will drop out.

Once you get the pressure at the pump from the Bernoulli equation, use the second equation I mentioned to calculate the power.

A quck run through gets about 71 W. Is that close to your answer?
 
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  • #7
mbrmbrg said:
I don't think I know that much Bernoulli... the only Bernoulli equation that we've covered in class so far is[tex]p+\frac{1}{2}\rho v^2+\rho gy=constant[/tex]. And the problem claims that it can be solved without even that. Sigh.
The power is the kinetic + potential energy added to the water per unit time. You have figured out the kinetic energy/time at 37.6 W. What is the potential energy added per unit time?

AM
 
  • #8
A simple equation for power, P, is:

P = Q * ((gamma)force density) * h

I get 70.7 W

Of course this doesn't account for any parasitic losses.
 
  • #9
No matter what I do, I keep getting Power in the hundreds of Watts.

Here's the latest work (and thank you for putting up with me!)

Where the 1's are the pipe at the waterline, and the 2's are the top of the pipe:
[tex]p_1+\frac{1}{2}\rho {v_1}^2+\rho gy_i=p_2+\frac{1}{2}\rho {v_2}^2+\rho gy_2[/tex]

Since v is constant along the pipe, the 0.5*rho*v^2 terms cancel.
Let the waterline be 0m.

[tex]p_1=p_2+\rho gy_2=10^5 Pa + (1000kg/m^3)(9.81m/s^2)(2.9m) = 128449 Pa[/tex]

OK. Now to find the force that the pipe exerts.

[tex]p=\frac{F}{A}[/tex] so [tex]F=pA=(p)(\pi r^2)=(128449 Pa)(\pi)(.012 m)^2=58.11N[/tex]

Lastly (*gasp*) [tex]Power=Fv=(58.11 N)(5.5 m/s)=319.6 W[/tex]

And I lose yet again...
 
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  • #10
mbrmbrg said:
No matter what I do, I keep getting Power in the hundreds of Watts.

Here's the latest work (and thank you for putting up with me!)

Where the 1's are the pipe at the waterline, and the 2's are the top of the pipe:
[tex]p_1+\frac{1}{2}\rho {v_1}^2+\rho gy_i=p_2+\frac{1}{2}\rho {v_2}^2+\rho gy_2[/tex]

Since v is constant along the pipe, the 0.5*rho*v^2 terms cancel.
Let the waterline be 0m.

[tex]p_1=p_2+\rho gy_2=10^5 Pa + (1000kg/m^3)(9.81m/s^2)(2.9m) = 128449 Pa[/tex]

OK. Now to find the force that the pipe exerts.

[tex]p=\frac{F}{A}[/tex] so [tex]F=pA=(p)(\pi r^2)=(128449 Pa)(\pi)(.012 m)^2=58.11N[/tex]

Lastly (*gasp*) [tex]Power=Fv=(58.11 N)(5.5 m/s)=319.6 W[/tex]

And I lose yet again...

One kg of stationary water in the basement is lifted 2.9 m. and moved to a speed of 5.5 m/s. This is an increase of mgh + .5mv^2 = 1*9.8*2.9 + .5*1*5.5^2 = 28 + 15 = 43 Joules. Since the flow rate is 2.5 kg/sec., the power is 43*2.5 = 107.5 Joules/second.

AM
 
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  • #11
mbrmbrg said:
No matter what I do, I keep getting Power in the hundreds of Watts.

Here's the latest work (and thank you for putting up with me!)

Where the 1's are the pipe at the waterline, and the 2's are the top of the pipe:
[tex]p_1+\frac{1}{2}\rho {v_1}^2+\rho gy_i=p_2+\frac{1}{2}\rho {v_2}^2+\rho gy_2[/tex]

Since v is constant along the pipe, the 0.5*rho*v^2 terms cancel.
Let the waterline be 0m.

[tex]p_1=p_2+\rho gy_2=10^5 Pa + (1000kg/m^3)(9.81m/s^2)(2.9m) = 128449 Pa[/tex]

OK. Now to find the force that the pipe exerts.

[tex]p=\frac{F}{A}[/tex] so [tex]F=pA=(p)(\pi r^2)=(128449 Pa)(\pi)(.012 m)^2=58.11N[/tex]

Lastly (*gasp*) [tex]Power=Fv=(58.11 N)(5.5 m/s)=319.6 W[/tex]

And I lose yet again...
You're close. Bernoulli will reduce to [tex]p_1-p_2 = \rho g(y_2-y_1)[/tex]

The [tex]p_1-p_2[/tex] term is equal to the pressure that the pump is putting out since the pipe is exiting to atmospheric pressure.

Your next step is where you went wrong. That is not the way to calculate pump power. The power from the pump is a function of pressure and flow rate. Look at the equation that has been given to you twice:

[tex]P = p Q[/tex]
 
  • #12
FredGarvin said:
Your next step is where you went wrong. That is not the way to calculate pump power. The power from the pump is a function of pressure and flow rate. Look at the equation that has been given to you twice:

[tex]P = p Q[/tex]

Yessir. Thank you, sir. Sorry for disregarding you, sir.
Now that the final's over, I no longer have any compunctions about using equations not covered in class or the textbook :wink:
 
  • #13
I agree with Andrew's calculation:

power = (GPE created per second) + (KE created per second)
= 108.39... Joules per second

(+ losses due to friction, etc)
 

1. What is the power of a water pump?

The power of a water pump is the measure of its ability to move water from one place to another. It is typically measured in units of watts or horsepower.

2. How does a water pump work?

A water pump works by creating a pressure difference that forces water to move from a lower to a higher elevation. This is achieved by using a motor to spin an impeller, which creates a centrifugal force that pushes the water out of the pump.

3. What is the role of continuity in understanding the power of a water pump?

Continuity is a fundamental principle in fluid mechanics that states that the mass flow rate into a system must equal the mass flow rate out of the system. In the case of a water pump, continuity helps us understand how the pump's power output is related to the flow rate and pressure of the water being pumped.

4. How is the power of a water pump calculated?

The power of a water pump can be calculated by multiplying the flow rate (in cubic meters per second) by the pressure difference (in pascals) and the gravitational constant (9.8 m/s^2). This calculation results in units of watts, which can then be converted to horsepower if desired.

5. What factors affect the power of a water pump?

The power of a water pump can be affected by various factors, including the speed of the pump's motor, the size and design of the impeller, the density and viscosity of the water being pumped, and any external forces acting on the water (such as gravity or friction). Changes in these factors can impact the pump's efficiency and ultimately its power output.

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