Help a College Student With Pipe Flow Calculations

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating airflow velocities in two pipe setups—one smooth and one rough—using a wind tunnel. The participant measured inlet and outlet velocities, calculated Reynolds numbers, and friction factors, ultimately seeking to understand the velocity drop and pressure changes due to pipe roughness. Key findings indicate that the smooth pipe exhibited a greater efficiency with a 33% increase compared to the rough pipe, and the participant is encouraged to focus on pressure drop measurements to validate their calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics principles, particularly Bernoulli's equation.
  • Familiarity with Reynolds number calculations and their significance in flow regimes.
  • Knowledge of friction factors in pipe flow, including the Darcy-Weisbach equation.
  • Experience with anemometers for measuring air velocity in experimental setups.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the application of Bernoulli's equation in pipe flow analysis.
  • Learn about the Darcy-Weisbach equation for calculating pressure loss in pipes.
  • Investigate methods for measuring pressure drop along a pipe using static ports.
  • Explore advanced anemometer techniques for accurate airflow measurements in confined spaces.
USEFUL FOR

Students in engineering disciplines, particularly those studying fluid mechanics, as well as researchers and practitioners involved in airflow analysis and pipe design.

  • #31
You've got a core issue trying to measure the wind speed, which should not be chaging much within the pipes. If you could get a clear pipe, perhaps you could try using soap bubbles instead of pulsed smoke, but since your wind tunnel is drawing air (as opposed to blowing it), you'll need to make sure that the soap bubbles won't be a problem. You'll need to place some tape on the far side of the pipe at regular intervals so you can get an ideal of the speed of the flow within the pipe. Note that the bubbles will move at various speeds depending on location within the pipe, so you'll have to average out the results.

This is what you'd really need, a pulse smoke generator as shown in this video:

 
Last edited by a moderator:

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