Siphoning through a straight tube

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the siphoning of liquid nitrogen from a dewar using a straight metal tube, specifically addressing the pressure requirements for effective flow. The calculations indicate that a minimum absolute pressure of 1.092 bar is necessary to initiate siphoning, while maintaining a pressure above 1.132 bar ensures continuous flow. The user initially miscalculated the required pressure by incorrectly incorporating a velocity term into their Bernoulli's equation analysis. The specifics of the system include a total volume flow rate of 2 liters/hour, a tube diameter of 3mm, and a total tube height of 1.5m.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Bernoulli's equation and fluid dynamics
  • Knowledge of cryogenic fluids, specifically liquid nitrogen properties
  • Familiarity with pressure measurement units, particularly bar
  • Basic principles of siphoning and atmospheric pressure effects
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  • Research the properties of liquid nitrogen and its behavior under varying pressures
  • Learn about advanced applications of Bernoulli's equation in fluid mechanics
  • Investigate siphoning techniques for different fluids and their efficiency
  • Explore cryogenic system design considerations for optimal performance
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Researchers in nuclear physics, engineers working with cryogenic systems, and anyone involved in fluid dynamics or siphoning techniques.

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Hi y'all,
I am currently doing research in nuclear physics dealing with cryogenics. We want to pre cool the inner most part of a dewar with liquid nitrogen before we put liquid helium in since it's quite expensive. Once the nitrogen stops boiling off and reaches somewhat of an equilibrium, the excess liquid needs to be siphoned out of the dewar. Our only option is to use a metal tube sticking straight up into the air. In order to siphon the liquid nitrogen out, we need a higher pressure in the dewar than the atmosphere. I go through my calculations with Bernoulli's equations and I seem to get around 1.8 bars needed inside the dewar. That answer seems too high to me and I don't know where I'm going wrong. Here are some specifics:

Total volume flow rate: 2 liters/hour (.002 m^3/hour)
Diameter of metal tube: 3mm
Diameter of Inner Dewar Compartment: 101.6 mm
Density of Liquid Nitrogen: 807.0 kg/m^3
Total Height of Tube: 1.5 m
Height from surface of liquid nitrogen to top of tube: 1 m

I appreciate any help.

Thanks
 
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The pressure at the bottom of the tube due to the weight of the nitrogen will be ##\rho g h## or 0.11875 bar. Adding the atmospheric pressure, you get an absolute pressure of 1.132 bar. If you maintain a pressure inside the dewar larger than this, the nitrogen will flow out the tube.

At the beginning of the process (when the difference in height is 1 m), you only need 1.092 bar of absolute pressure in the dewar to initiate flow outside of the tube.
 
Ah okay makes sense. I think I was including a velocity term that gave me a higher answer. Thanks!
 

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