Difference in pressure question

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the pressure difference in an oil pipeline where the radius changes from 60 cm to 35 cm. The original poster provides specific values for oil density and pressure, and attempts to apply Bernoulli's equation to find the pressure at the narrower section of the pipe.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply Bernoulli's equation and calculate the velocities based on the flow rate and cross-sectional areas. Some participants question the type of pressure being calculated and the method of determining velocity.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the approach taken by the original poster, with one suggesting a potential error in calculating the velocity. There is a focus on clarifying the definitions of different types of pressure and how they relate to the problem.

Contextual Notes

The problem does not specify whether it is asking for dynamic, static, or stagnation pressure, leading to questions about how this ambiguity affects the calculations.

grog
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Homework Statement



The alaskan pipeline has a capacity of 2.37*105m3/day of oil per day. Along most of the pipeline the radius is 60 cm. Find the pressure at a point where the pipe has a 35 cm radius. Take the pressure in the section with radius 60 cm to be 160 kPa and the density of oil to be 800kg/m3. Answer in units of kPA


Homework Equations



.5 * rho * v12+ rho * g * y + p1 = .5 * rho * v22 + rho * g* y + p2

since y = 0, we end up with:


.5 * rho * v12+ p1 = .5 * rho * v22 + p2

v2 = v1 ( A1 / A2)



The Attempt at a Solution




v1 = 2.37x10^5 m^3/day = 2.743055556 m^3/sec
A1 = 60^2*pi = 11309.73355 cm^2
A2 = 35^2 * pi = 3848.451001 cm^2

v2 = v1 * (A1/A2)

p1-p2 (difference in pressure) = (.5)(rho)(v2^2) - (.5)(rho)(v1^2)

substitute:

= (.5)(rho) ((v1*A1/A2)^2) - (.5)(rho)(v1^2)

= (.5)(rho)(v1^2) [(a1/a2)^2 - 1]

plugging in:

= (0.5)(800)(2.743055556)^2 (7.636401493) = 22983.59459 Pa = p1-p2

since we're given p1 = 160 kPa, converting the difference in pressure to kPa and subtracting yields

22.98359459 = 160 - p2
p2 = 137.0164054 kPa

However, this is an in correct answer. Does anyone see where I'm making my mistake?
 
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Hm.

Is the question asking for dynamic, static, or stagnation pressure?
 
The problem doesn't seem to specify. how would I tell, and how would that affect my answer?
 
Your error is in determining the speed. You seem to be mixing up flow with speed.

Since Flow = dV/dt = d/dt(Ax) = vA =&gt; v = Flow/A[/tex]<br /> <br /> For the 60 cm section, v = Flow/\pi r^2 = 2.74/3.14*.36 = 2.42 m/secAM
 
Last edited:
Thanks!
 

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