Pumping fluid against a centrifugal force

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the pressure drop in an oil canal connected to a pump on a rotating axle. The pump has an exit pressure of 25 bar, and the challenge is to determine the pressure at the center of the axle, where centrifugal force is zero. Participants suggest using Bernoulli's equation for incompressible flow, but adjustments must be made to account for centrifugal forces, specifically incorporating the term ρω²r²/2 instead of ρgh. This adjustment is crucial for accurate pressure readings along the flow path.

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helgi2008
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Hello.

I am in need of some assistance regarding a theoratical problem I have. It goes something like this:

Imagine a vertically placed axle, rotating at a constant angular velocity (omega). From the middle of this axle extends an arm and on the edge of that arm is a unit containing (amongst other things) an oil pump. The purpose of this oil pump is to pump the oil from the unit to the centre of the rotating axle (against the centrifugal force). Say that the exit pressure of the pump is 25 bar, how do I calculate the pressure drop along the oil canal in the arm (assuming zero friction in the pipe itself)? Ultimately, I would like to know the pressure reading at the centre of the rotating axle, where the centrifugal force is equal to zero.

At first, I thought I could use Bernoulli's equation for incompressible flow, but it doesn't appear to be working for me, as I get a higher pressure reading at the centre of the axle, than at the exit of the pump.
 
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hello helgi2008! :smile:
helgi2008 said:
… At first, I thought I could use Bernoulli's equation for incompressible flow, but it doesn't appear to be working for me, as I get a higher pressure reading at the centre of the axle, than at the exit of the pump.

https://www.physicsforums.com/library.php?do=view_item&itemid=115" is essentially a conservation of energy equation, and should apply to any steady flow

to make the flow steady, i assume you're already using a corotating frame?

then there's an ρω2r centrifugal force, so instead of a ρgh https://www.physicsforums.com/library.php?do=view_item&itemid=269" term, try ρω2r2/2 :wink:
 
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