Unnecessary Pump in a Frictionless Pipe: Impact on Pressure and Work

AI Thread Summary
In a frictionless pipe scenario, the installation of an unnecessary pump raises questions about energy balance and pressure dynamics. Using Bernoulli's equation, it is established that if there is no friction or height difference, the pressure before and after the pump remains equal, implying that the pump does no work. The analysis suggests that the head produced by the pump equals the friction it would introduce, even if no energy input is needed. Additionally, if a flow regulator is present downstream, the pump can increase pressure without altering velocity, indicating that the pump's operation can still affect system dynamics. Overall, the discussion highlights the complexities of pump functionality in frictionless systems.
msanx2
Messages
13
Reaction score
0
Imagine a pump is installed in a pipe where there would be no need for it (no friction, no height difference, etc.). In order for the energy balance to be correct, does this imply that the fluid would experience friction inside the pump the same as the head provided by the pump?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
What energy balance ? Does it show anything with friction ?
 
Suppose I would use Bernoulli equation to compare point 1 before the pump and point 2 after the pump:

$$ \frac{P_{1}}{\rho g} + \frac{v_{1}^2}{2g} + z_{1} + \Delta h_{p}= \frac{P_{2}}{\rho g} + \frac{v_{2}^2}{2g} + z_{2} + \Delta h_{f} $$

By the continuity equation, $$ v_{1} = v_{2} $$

Moreover, neglecting the pressure drop across the pump, $$ P_{1} = P_{2} $$

So, the previous equation becomes:
$$ \Delta h_{p}= \Delta h_{f} $$

If this analysis is correct, does it show that, when a pump is not needed (no energy input would be needed to overcome any fittings or friction in the pipe), the head that it produces is the same as the possible friction that it produces? I'm imagining this situation as if the pump stops the fluid and accelerates it again.

Thanks!
 
##P_{1} = P_{2}## is a show stopper: it means the pump does no work. Conversely, if ##P_{1} < P_{2}## the pump does ##pV## work

I get the feeling I misunderstand your scenario: if there is a flow regulator further down the pipe and an unneeded pump is installed and turned on, the velocity stays the same but the pressure increases. Does that qualify ?
 
Thread 'Physics of Stretch: What pressure does a band apply on a cylinder?'
Scenario 1 (figure 1) A continuous loop of elastic material is stretched around two metal bars. The top bar is attached to a load cell that reads force. The lower bar can be moved downwards to stretch the elastic material. The lower bar is moved downwards until the two bars are 1190mm apart, stretching the elastic material. The bars are 5mm thick, so the total internal loop length is 1200mm (1190mm + 5mm + 5mm). At this level of stretch, the load cell reads 45N tensile force. Key numbers...
I'm trying to decide what size and type of galvanized steel I need for 2 cantilever extensions. The cantilever is 5 ft. The space between the two cantilever arms is a 17 ft Gap the center 7 ft of the 17 ft Gap we'll need to Bear approximately 17,000 lb spread evenly from the front of the cantilever to the back of the cantilever over 5 ft. I will put support beams across these cantilever arms to support the load evenly
Back
Top