Calculating the suction force produced by a Venturi

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the application of the Venturi effect to generate suction force for a vacuum cup in a water pipe. The user, Amr, calculates the suction force using the Venturi formula but arrives at an unexpectedly high pressure difference of 1.035716981*10^9 Pa, leading to a suction force of 732105N. This result raises concerns about potential misunderstandings of the principles involved. Amr seeks clarification on the calculations and the validity of the results. The conversation highlights the complexities of applying fluid dynamics principles in practical scenarios.
amrbekhit
Messages
11
Reaction score
1
Dear all,

As I understand the venturi effect, if a flow of water passes through a constriction, its velocity increases and its pressure decreases at the restriction. The decrease in pressure allows a suction force to be produced.

I am trying to use this principle in order to power a vacuum cup inside a water pipe, but my initial calculations for estimating the suction force are producing seemingly meaningless results.

According to http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=venturi", the formula describing the venturi effect is:

Q=1/4\,\pi\,{{\it D1}}^{2}\sqrt {2}\sqrt {{\frac {{\it P1}-{\it P2}}{<br /> \rho}}}{\frac {1}{\sqrt {{\frac {{{\it D1}}^{4}}{{{\it D2}}^{4}}}-1}}}<br />

From my understanding, the vacuum pressure generated by the venturi is P1-P2. So, rearranging the above equation to make that the subject gives:

{\it P1}-{\it P2}=8\,{Q}^{2} \left( {\frac {{{\it D1}}^{4}}{{{\it D2}}<br /> ^{4}}}-1 \right) \rho{\pi }^{-2}{{\it D1}}^{-4}

In my situation, I have the following known information:

  • Diameter of pipe: 8"
  • Water speed: 0.9m/s
  • Water Pressure: 2.8bar

From the diameter and water speed, I calculate that the flow rate is:

0.02919\,{\frac {{m}^{3}}{s}}

Other information that is required:
  • Venturi upstream diameter D1: 10e-3 m
  • Venturi downstream diameter D2: 5e-3 m
  • Density of water rho: 1000kg/m^3

Substituting all of that information into the formula gives us a pressure difference of 1.035716981*10^9 Pa (which looks huge).

Assuming that my suction cup has a 15mm radius, in order to work out the suction force I use:

F=PA

This gives me a suction force of 732105N!

This seems extremely high to me, which makes me think that I have misunderstood the principle. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks

--Amr
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Likes Partha Pratim Panja
Physics news on Phys.org
Any thoughts?
 
Thread 'Gauss' law seems to imply instantaneous electric field'
Imagine a charged sphere at the origin connected through an open switch to a vertical grounded wire. We wish to find an expression for the horizontal component of the electric field at a distance ##\mathbf{r}## from the sphere as it discharges. By using the Lorenz gauge condition: $$\nabla \cdot \mathbf{A} + \frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial \phi}{\partial t}=0\tag{1}$$ we find the following retarded solutions to the Maxwell equations If we assume that...
Maxwell’s equations imply the following wave equation for the electric field $$\nabla^2\mathbf{E}-\frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\mathbf{E}}{\partial t^2} = \frac{1}{\varepsilon_0}\nabla\rho+\mu_0\frac{\partial\mathbf J}{\partial t}.\tag{1}$$ I wonder if eqn.##(1)## can be split into the following transverse part $$\nabla^2\mathbf{E}_T-\frac{1}{c^2}\frac{\partial^2\mathbf{E}_T}{\partial t^2} = \mu_0\frac{\partial\mathbf{J}_T}{\partial t}\tag{2}$$ and longitudinal part...
Back
Top