CHE 204: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA I TERM 102

ALSHAMI

CHAPTER 2: BERNOULLIS EQUATION (SIMPLIFIED)

In the previous lecture we derived the generalized Bernoulli equation,
Eqn. (1) by performing an overall energy balance around the defined
system.
P
u2
+
+ g z + + w=0

( )

(1)

Eqn. (1) is further simplified for most application if the following

assumptions hold valid:
1. The flow is steady (no accumulation/disappearance of mass and
energy with time)
2. The fluid is incompressible (constant density)
3. The flow is inviscid (Frictionless)
4. There are no work effects: no work applied or produced
Under these circumstances, eqn. (1) is reduced to:
P
u2
+
+ g z=0

( )

(2)

Eqn. (2) is the famous Bernoullis equation: one of the most

important and used relation in fluid mechanics.
This equation simply says that there is NO net change in energy
between the inlet and outlet of the system (ie, location 1 and 2):
( flow energy+ kinetic energy+ potential energy )=0
Head of fluid
A quantity often used to describe overall pressure magnitude is
pressure head H. We already introduced the terminology in the
previous lectures when analyzing hydrostatics. Extending the analysis
to a moving fluid, we can see if we divide through eqn. (2) by g, we
result with:
P
u2
+
+ z=0
g
2g

( )

(3)

CHE 204: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA I TERM 102

ALSHAMI

Examining eqn. (3) shows that each of its 3 terms has a dimension of
length (L), and consequently called pressure head, velocity (dynamic)
head, and static head.

Applications of Bernoullis equation

I.

Tank draining
Determine the velocity and mass flow rate of water efflux from
the circular orifice (0.1 m ID.) at the bottom of the water tank (at
this instant). The tank is open to the atmosphere and H = 4 m.

1
H

2
Solution
1. Conservation of mass:
dM
m mout =
dt
- No incoming mass into the system ==> min = 0
- we are interested in find the instantaneous flow rate
==> dM/dt = constant
mout =C=uA

(- sign indicates that mass is leaving the

system)

2. Conservation of energy:
i. No work effects
ii. No friction losses (no long length of conduits)
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CHE 204: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA I TERM 102

ALSHAMI

Simplified Bernoullis equation is applicable:

P
u2
+
+ z=0
g
2g

( )

Also,
-

P1 - P2 = 0 open to the atmosphere

u1=0 (fluid movement at location 1 is negligible
compared to movement in location 2)
z = H = 4 m

Solving for u2 gives,

u2= 2 gh= 2 ( 9.81 )( 4)=8.85 ( m/s )
mout =C=uA =
Orifices correction factor
Fluids flow through orifices is generally accompanied by disruptions
and must be accounted for, especially at high velocities. A correction
factor is commonly used to correct for the sudden area contraction,
and is defined as:
a crosssectional areaof emerging jet of fluid
C c= =
0.63
A
crosssectional area of orifice
II.

Orifice Plate meter

Applying Bernoullis between inlet and outlet, which are at the

same elevation (z=0), yields:

CHE 204: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA I TERM 102

ALSHAMI

( )

P
u
+
=0

2
From the continuity equation, we get:
u1 A 1=u2 A 2
Solving for u1 yields:
u1=

2 p
A 21
2 1
A2

And the volumetric flow rate Q is:

Q=u1 A1=

( ) (
( ) (
2 p

A
A

2
1
2
2

2 p

= A1

A1

C 2c A 2o

A more commonly used equation is:

Q=u1 A1=

2 p
p
=C D A 1
2
A1
A 21
2 1
2 1
A2
Ao

CD is known as the discharge coefficient that is generally

determined experimentally and most often provided by the
vendor of the meter (usually is around 0.63).
III.

Pitot tube
The Pitot tube (named after the French Scientist and engineer
Henry Pitot, 1695-1771) is perhaps the simplest and most useful
fluid flow instrument ever devised.
2
h
AIR
1

3
4

CHE 204: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA I TERM 102

ALSHAMI

Applying Bernoullis equation between locations 1 and 2, yields:

P2 P 1 0u21
+
+ g ( ( h+ d )0 ) =0

( )

Pressure at location 2 is atmospheric, which is the same as on

water surface (water-air interface).
The pressure at location 1 from hydrostatics is:
P1=P2 + gd
Substituting for P1 and rearranging yields:
u1= 2 gh
Alternatively, if we apply Bernoullis equation between location 1
and the stagnation point; ie., tip of the tube where the fluid is
no moving (location 3), then the following can be derived:
P1 P 3 u 210
+
+ g ( 00 )=0

( )

Solving for u1 yields:

2 ( P1 P 3 )
u1=

Also,
P1=Po + gd
And
P3=Po + g ( h+d )
Subtracting P3 from P1 results with:
P1P3=gh
Yielding same results for the fluid (or the craft) velocity obtained
above.

CHE 204: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA I TERM 102

ALSHAMI

Similar analysis can be carried out for another type of Pitot tube,
commonly called Pitot-Static tube, sketched in your textbook in
Fig. 2.12. This tube involves 2 tubes where the differential fluid
level (h) is used in the equation above to calculate the fluid or
the craft moving speed.
IV.

Venturi Tube meter

Venturi tube is simply a tube that is made up of 3 distinct

sections: 1) convergent region, 2) throat, and 3) divergent
region. The design of these tubes aims at minimizing, as much
as possible, losses due to friction and flow separation. In
addition to using these tubes for pressure (velocity)
measurements, they are also commonly used as atomizers.
Applying Bernoullis equation between the inlet and throat (ie., 1
and 2), which are at same elevation (ie., z = 0) gives:
2

( )

P
u
+
=0

2
From the continuity equation,
u1 A 1=u2 A 2
Substituting for u1 yields,
2

( )

A
P 1
+ 1 22 u22=0
2
A1
Solving for u2 ( velocity at throat) yields,
u2 =

2 ( P1P2 )
A22
1 2
A1

)
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CHE 204: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA I TERM 102

ALSHAMI

And the volumetric flow rate Q is:

( ) (
( ) (

Q=u2 A2= A 2

2 ( P 1P2 )
A 21
1 2
A2

= A2

2 ( P1P 2)

A 21
1 2 2
Cc Ao

A more commonly used equation is:

Q=u2 A2=

2 ( P1P2 )
A21
1 2
A2

=C v A 2

( P1P2 )

A21
1 2
Ao

Cv is known as the discharge coefficient that is generally

determined experimentally and most often provided by the
vendor of the meter (generally it is around 0.98).

V.

Siphon

Siphon
2
h2
1
z
h1
Discharge

A siphon can be used to drain liquid from an open tank. Siphon lefts
the liquid to an elevation higher than its free surface and discharges it
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CHE 204: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA I TERM 102

ALSHAMI

at a lower elevation than the level of the liquid. The top point (2) of
the siphon is called summit and it is where low pressure occurs,
sometimes to levels close to the liquid vapor pressure. When vapor
pressure is reached at the summit, liquid begins to boil (ie.,
evaporates) resulting with the so-called vapor lock, and flow stops.
Applying the Bernoulli equation between locations (1) and (3):
P
u2
+
+g z=0

( )

Where,
P = 0 (atmospheric pressure)
u1 = 0
z3 = 0
z 1 = h1
Substituting yields,
u 230
0+
+ g ( 0h1 ) =0
2

( )

Solving for discharging velocity (u3), gives:

u3= 2 g h1
Similarly, applying Bernoullis equation between locations (1) and (2)
results with:
2

( )

P
u
+
+g z=0

2
Where,
P1 = 0 (atmospheric pressure)
u1 = 0
z 1 = h1
z2 = (h1+ h2)
Substituting yields,
P2 0 u220
+
+ g ( h2 )=0

( )

Since the Siphon (tube) cross-sectional area does not change, then
velocity remains constant, ie.:
u2=u3
Substituting for u2 in above equation yields:

CHE 204: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA I TERM 102

ALSHAMI

P2 0 2 g h 10
+
+ g ( h 2) =0

Rearranging gives:
P2=g ( h2 +h1 ) = ( h2 +h 1)