The minimum cost of converting static pressure into dynamic pressure

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conversion of static pressure into dynamic pressure, particularly in the context of using external forces such as magnetic fields and nozzles. Participants explore theoretical mechanisms, practical applications, and the implications of such conversions, including potential violations of conservation laws. The scope includes conceptual and technical aspects of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that static pressure can be converted into dynamic pressure using "right-angle forces" in conjunction with ionized gases and magnetic fields, suggesting a reduction in work needed to accelerate the gas.
  • Others argue that a nozzle is a straightforward means to convert static pressure to velocity pressure, noting that nozzles can be efficient in this process.
  • A question is raised about mechanisms for converting static pressure into velocity pressure within a fixed volume, leading to confusion about the nature of the volume in question.
  • Concerns are expressed regarding the feasibility of inducing air motion in a sealed environment, with some participants suggesting that rotation might be a possibility.
  • Participants challenge the idea of tapping into kinetic energy generated from static pressure conversion, questioning whether this violates conservation of energy principles.
  • There is a discussion about the role of magnetic fields in accelerating ionized gases and whether this leads to a reduction in pressure, with references to ion thrusters and their practical applications in space.
  • Clarifications are sought regarding whether the discussion pertains to static pressure or total pressure, emphasizing the need for context in understanding pressure changes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and agreement on the mechanisms of converting static pressure to dynamic pressure. There is no consensus on the feasibility of the proposed methods or the implications regarding conservation of energy.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unclear definitions of the fixed volume in question, assumptions about the behavior of gases under external forces, and the need for specific conditions to evaluate pressure changes accurately.

kmarinas86
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Can static pressure be induced to becoming dynamic pressure through the use of "right-angle forces" with respect to particle velocities? I imagine that one could accomplish this with an ionized gas and a magnetic field. This would reduce the amount of work that is need to accelerate the gas. Furthermore, what happens if one were to convert so much of the static pressure into dynamic pressure that the static pressure would fall below the ambient pressure of the atmosphere? Could the atmosphere itself do radial work on our system as soon as we relieve the dynamic pressure by allowing that dynamic pressure to do rotational work?
 
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I'm not really sure what you mean, but all you need to convert static pressure to velocity pressure is a nozzle. And nozzles can be pretty efficient.

Also, you can use a high velocity airstream to induce additional flow. This is called induction.
 
russ_watters said:
I'm not really sure what you mean, but all you need to convert static pressure to velocity pressure is a nozzle. And nozzles can be pretty efficient.

Also, you can use a high velocity airstream to induce additional flow. This is called induction.

Are there any common mechanisms where one can convert static pressure into velocity pressure in a fixed volume (i.e. dV = 0)?
 
I can't make sense of that either. Fixed volume of what?
 
russ_watters said:
I can't make sense of that either. Fixed volume of what?

= the volume occupied by the particles = no expanding or contracting walls, and all (would be) outlets are sealed
 
Velocity pressure is from air being in motion. How do you propose to have air in motion if there is nowhere for it to go? It is very unclear to me what you are asking. Could you please explain in more detail what you are hoping to accomplish?
 
russ_watters said:
Velocity pressure is from air being in motion. How do you propose to have air in motion if there is nowhere for it to go?

It could rotate.

russ_watters said:
It is very unclear to me what you are asking. Could you please explain in more detail what you are hoping to accomplish?

I am trying to conceive of a way where one could take that static pressure inside a closed volume, and without any direct contact, through use of an external field, induce a net rotation leading to a conversion of the static pressure into velocity pressure corresponding to kinetic energy that can actually be tapped to do useful work in excess of the work incidental in converting the static pressure into velocity pressure.
 
How is that not an explicit violation of conservation of energy?
 
russ_watters said:
How is that not an explicit violation of conservation of energy?

The keyword "tapped" suggests something already exists which is "tapped" (suggesting that it was not created by the user doing the tapping) and then used for a purpose such as "to do useful work".
 
  • #10
kmarinas86 said:
I imagine that one could accomplish this with an ionized gas and a magnetic field.
A magnetic field can accelerate ionized gas, but this would not directly result in a reduction of pressure. As mentioned above, once the ionized gas is accelerated, it could then be driven through a nozzle to increase it's speed and reduce it's pressure, but then that ionized gas has to end up somewhere. An ion rocket thruster uses this principle, but these are only practical in outer space. The wiki article explains the issues.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_thruster
 
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  • #11
rcgldr said:
A magnetic field can accelerate ionized gas, but this would not directly result in a reduction of pressure. As mentioned above, once the ionized gas is accelerated, it could then be driven through a nozzle to increase it's speed and reduce it's pressure, but then that ionized gas has to end up somewhere. An ion rocket thruster uses this principle, but these are only practical in outer space. The wiki article explains the issues.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_thruster

Are you referring to static pressure or total pressure?
 
  • #12
rcgldr said:
A magnetic field can accelerate ionized gas, but this would not directly result in a reduction of pressure ... ion thruster ...

kmarinas86 said:
Are you referring to static pressure or total pressure?
Any change in static or total pressure can not be determined with just the presence of a magnetic field and it's effect on an ionized gas. You need to know something about what the ionized gas is flowing through and the "reservoir" that the gas "exits" into, such as the case of a ion thruster in space where the gas exits into the vacuum of outer space, and any nozzle used for the ion thruster.
 
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