Understanding Rigid Column Theory in Fluid Mechanics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of rigid column theory in fluid mechanics, specifically addressing the behavior of fluid pressure and head loss when a valve is closed and subsequently opened. Participants explore the relationship between pressure changes, head loss, and fluid dynamics in a pipe system.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the relationship ΔH = H - Hf, seeking clarification on its derivation.
  • Another participant suggests that the driving force is related to the head at the pipe entrance minus the head loss in the pipe.
  • A participant expresses frustration in visualizing the relationship and presents a detailed force balance equation to analyze the situation when the valve is closed.
  • Concerns are raised about the clarity of explanations in the attached document, with an interpretation that closing the valve leads to a pressure increase at the valve.
  • Another participant agrees with the interpretation of ΔH being related to deceleration of flow, but notes that the magnitude of ΔH has not been established.
  • Discussion includes the assertion that ΔH is negative when the valve opens, affecting the acceleration of the fluid column.
  • One participant emphasizes that the treatment of ΔH in the text does not contain excessive claims and is based on equation manipulation.
  • Another participant points out that a steady state condition implies no change in ΔH.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the interpretation of ΔH and its relationship to head loss. There is no consensus on the correctness of the derivation or the implications of the equations presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various diagrams and equations, indicating that assumptions about flow conditions and head loss may not be fully resolved. The discussion includes multiple interpretations of the same physical scenario.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students and professionals in fluid mechanics, particularly those exploring the dynamics of fluid flow in pipe systems and the implications of valve operations on pressure and head loss.

axe34
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Hello, please see attached text below - this concerns ''rigid column theory''. When a valve is closed, the pressure rises at the valve; the pressure rises above the reservoir pressure by ΔP with a height increase ΔH above H. When the valve is opened, this right hand pressure will disappear and the fluid will start to flow through the open valve.

Why is ΔH = H - Hf?
upload_2017-1-2_9-52-28.png


upload_2017-1-2_9-52-43.png


upload_2017-1-2_9-52-59.png
upload_2017-1-2_9-53-11.png
 
Last edited:
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So the driving force / ##\left ( {\pi\over 4} d^2 \rho g \right ) \ \ ## ΔH is the head H at the entrance of the pipe minus the head loss in the pipe.
 
I've drawn so many diagrams and simply cannot show that delta H = H - Hf!
 
That a question ?
 
The explanations given in the attached document (the first post in this thread) are poor in my opinion.
Here is how I interpret it: when the valve closes, it seems to imply that a piezometer at the valve with show height H + ΔH
upload_2017-1-5_13-45-15.png


Thus, if we define positive direction to the right,

∑forces on the fluid in horizontal pipe = m.a

(ρgH + ρ0).A - (ρg(H+ΔH) + ρ0).A = ρAL. dv/dt where: ρAL is the mass of fluid in the horizontal pipe and ρ0 is atmospheric pressure (A is pipe cross section)

This gives ΔH = - L/g dv/dt which implies that when delta H is positive, then there will be a deceleration of flow. Similarly, upon valve opening, we will see:
upload_2017-1-5_13-45-44.png

If positive direction still to the right,
∑forces on the fluid in horizontal pipe = m.a

(ρgH + ρ0)A - (ρg(H-ΔH) + ρ0)A = ρAL. dv/dt

thus ΔH = L/g dv/dt which implies that when delta H is as shown on the diagram, then there will be a deceleration of flow. Now, I always though that head loss was as shown in the following diagram:
upload_2017-1-5_13-54-5.png


I've drawn the energy grade line (EGL) and hydraulic grade line (HGL) as the piezometer. ΔH, as defined in diagram 2 on this post is shown in white. Delta H is not equal to H - Hf (Hf also called HL).

upload_2017-1-5_13-49-58.png


So, where have I gone wrong?
 

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    upload_2017-1-5_13-46-27.png
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To be honest, I so far only reacted to the part of your question I could recognize (##H_f##). For the pressure surge I have to read up too.
Text says they close the valve gradually, so the stuff keeps flowing. Instead of assuming a linear deceleration as in the link, the book stops with (2.2a), basically ## F = ma ##. So I agree with you, up to and including
axe34 said:
This gives ΔH = - L/g dv/dt which implies that when delta H is positive, then there will be a deceleration of flow.
Note that in fact so far we haven't said anything about the magnitude of ##\Delta H##.
Rememer that ##\Delta H## is a difference.

Upon valve opening, the inital head at he valve is H and the valve has to counter it with a force ##\rho g H A##. Any form of opening the valve lowers the force the valve can exercise on the liquid (the head at the valve), so there is a negative ##\Delta H## available to accelerate the cylinder of liquid.

So imho the baseline for ##\Delta H## in your second picture is the top line and ##\Delta H < 0##.

As such, I see no wrong in the treatment in the text: there are no excessive claims, just manipulation of a few equations.

Your third diagram depicts a steady state: ##{du\over dt}=0## so there is no ##\Delta H##.
 

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