Pressure change in pipe due to sudden closure of valve

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the pressure change in a pipe due to the sudden closure of a valve, specifically analyzing the relationship between pressure wave speed and water particle velocity. The equation derived is ##\Delta P = \rho_0 c (\Delta v) \alpha##, where ##c## represents the speed of the pressure wave. The necessity of using a moving frame to calculate water particle speed is emphasized, as simply equating mass flow rates with positive and negative velocities is incorrect. The conservation of mass principle is applied to derive the correct relationships between positions and velocities in the pipe.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of fluid dynamics principles, particularly pressure waves.
  • Familiarity with conservation of mass in fluid systems.
  • Knowledge of mathematical notation for fluid mechanics, including variables like ##\rho## and ##v##.
  • Basic grasp of wave propagation concepts in fluids.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of pressure wave equations in fluid dynamics.
  • Learn about the implications of conservation of mass in compressible and incompressible flows.
  • Explore the concept of wave speed in different fluid scenarios, including the effects of viscosity.
  • Investigate the mathematical modeling of transient flow conditions in pipes.
USEFUL FOR

Fluid mechanics students, engineers working with hydraulic systems, and researchers in fluid dynamics will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in pressure wave behavior in piping systems.

phantomvommand
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Homework Statement
Please see the attached photo
Relevant Equations
Conservation of Mass
Impulse forumla
Screenshot 2021-07-30 at 2.24.09 AM.png

Water is flowing in the pipe with velocity v0. Upon sudden closure of the valve at T, a pressure wave travels in the -ve x direction with speed c. The task is to find ##\alpha##, where ##\Delta P = \rho_0 c (\Delta v) \alpha##.
The 1st step is to set up an equation using conservation of mass. (picture is below)
I do not understand why we need to use a moving frame c to find the speed of the water particles. Why is simply stating ##\rho_0 v_0 = \rho_1 v_1## incorrect?

Screenshot 2021-07-30 at 2.26.05 AM.png
 
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phantomvommand said:
Why is simply stating ρ0v0=ρ1v1 incorrect?
One obvious reason is that v0 is positive and v1 is negative, so it cannot be true.

Consider positions x, y, x', y' in the pipe, where,
at time t, the wave front is at x
at time t+dt, the wave front is at y'
at time t+dt, the water that had been at x has moved to y
the water that is at y' at t+dt had been at y at time t
Draw a picture or two.
So the water that was between x and y at time t is between x' and y' at t+dt.
By mass conservation, ##(x-y)\rho_0=(x'-y')\rho_1##.
Also ##x'-x=v_1 \delta t##, ##y'-y=v_0 \delta t## and ##y'-x=c \delta t##.

I leave the working to you.
 
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