ECE 2203: Fluid Mechanics I

6
VORTEX FLOW
6.1 Introduction
Vortex flow is defined as the flow of a fluid along a curved path or the flow of a rotating
mass of fluid. Vortex motion is a type of a two dimensional flow. Types of vortex flow include:
forced vortex, free (or cylindrical) vortex, free spiral vortex and compound vortex.

6.2 Radial Flow

The flow is radial and in straight lines R
so that r, the radius of curvature of streamlines, t
is infinite, i.e. dH/dR =0, and for all streamlines,
H = p/g + v2/2g = a constant.
The arrangement is as shown in Fig 6.1.
If p1 and p2 are the pressures at radius R1 dR
and R2 respectively where the velocities are
Dr DDD
v1 and v2,
p1 p2 v22 v12

g 2g
For continuity of flow, R

2R1tv1= 2R2tv2 = Q
Fig 6.1 Radial flow
where Q is the discharge.
Or v1 = Q/2R1t and v2 = Q/ 2R2t ...(6.1)
p p2 Q2 1 1
Thus 1 2 2 2 2 (6.2)
g 8 t g R2 R1
From equation 6.2, it can be seen that pressure distribution is hyperbolic with the radius.

Example 6.1 Two stationary horizontal flat plates of external diameter 0.375m are placed
12.5mm apart. A vertical pipe 50mm in diameter delivers 0.41m3/min. of water to the centre of
the plates which are discharged at the periphery of the plates to atmosphere. The flow is radial
and the pressure variation across the space between the plates at any radius can be ignored.
Taking atmospheric pressure as 101 kN/m2, determine: (a) the absolute pressure at the entrance
to the plates (b) the resulting thrust on the upper plates.
Solution
Given: Q = 0.41m3/min=0.00684m3/s,
t=12.5 mm=0.0125m, R1=0.025m, R2=0.1875m, p2=101103 N/m2,
p1=pressure at inlet.
p p2 Q2 1 1
But 1 2 2 2 2
g 8 t g R2 R1
Substituting values,
p1 p2 (6.84 103 )2 1 1
2 3 2 2
2 m of water
g 8 (12.5 10 ) g (0.1875) (0.025)
= -0.607 m of water.
Absolute pressure at inlet p1=(101103-0.607 9.81103)=95040 N/m2
On any annulus of radius R and with R, resultant pressure intensity = p2-p. Since the

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ECE 2203: Fluid Mechanics I 2
pressure outside is the atmospheric pressure p2,
gQ 2 1 1
p2 p 2 2 2 2
8 t g R2 R1
Resultant force on the ring,
gQ 2 1 1
= 2 2 2 2 2RR
8 t g R2 R1
Integrating for the portion between R=R1 and R=R2, adding the force on the portion above
the inlet pipe, assuming a constant pressure p1, and allowing for the force due to change of
direction of flow, resultant force pushing plates together,
R
Q 2 2 dR RR 2
2 R1 ( p2 p1 ) Qv1
4t 2 R1 R R2
Q 2 R2 R22 R12 2 Q 2
{log e } R1 ( p2 p1 )
4t 2 R1 2 R22 2R1t
103 (6.84 10-3 )2 0.18752 - 0.0252
{loge 7.5 - } + (0.025)2 (5960)
-3
4 (12.510 ) 2 2 0.18752

103 (6.84 10-3 )2

- N
2 0.02512.510-3
= 23.9(2.015-0.472)+11.72-23.8=24.8N

6.3 Equation of Motion for Vortex Flow

When a fluid flows in a curved path (Fig 6.2), the velocity of the fluid along any streamline
will undergo a change due to its change of direction. As the fluid flows round the curve, there will
be a rate of change of velocity (i.e. acceleration) towards the centre of curvature of the stream
tube. The consequent rate of change of momentum (in accordance with Newtons second law ) of
the fluid must be due to a radial force resulting from the difference of pressure between the sides
AB and CD of the stream tube fluid element. Thus the fluid element is subjected to two equal but
opposite forces namely centripetal forcea and centrifugal forceb.
Considering the fluid element ABCD of the stream tube shown in Fig 6.2, which rotates at a
uniform velocity in a horizontal plane about an axis perpendicular to the plane of paper and
passing through O,
Let r = radius of the element from O
b = thickness of element perpendicular to diagram
s = length of element in the direction of flow
r = length of element in the direction of flow
A = area of cross-section of element
= angle subtended by the control volume ABCD of the element at O
The forces acting on the element are:
(i) Pressure force on the face AB = p A
p
(ii) Pressure force on the face CD = p + r A
r
mv 2
(iii) Centrifugal force acting in the direction away from the centre O =
r

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ECE 2203: Fluid Mechanics I 3

p+p

D C
s
v+v
r

A B
v p

O
Fig 6.2 Change of pressure with radius

Now, the mass of the element = mass densityvolume

A r
v2
Centrifugal force A r
r
Equating forces in the radial direction, we get
p v2
p + r A - pA A r
r r
p v2
Or p+ r A A r
r r
2
p v
Or (6.3)
r r
p p
The expression is called pressure gradient in the radial direction. As is +ve, pressure
r r
increases with the increase of radius r.
For an incompressible fluid, will be a constant and Eq.6.3 can be expressed in terms of the
pressure head H. Since p=gH, we have, p=gH
Substituting in Eq.6.3,
gH v2 H v 2
, or
r r r gr
In the limit as r tends to zero, rate of change of pressure head in radial direction,
dH v 2
(6.4)
dr gr
To produce the curved flow in Fig 6.2, there will also be a change in velocity head from one
streamline to another.

Rate of change of velocity head radially,

v + v 2 v 2

2gr
v v
(neglecting products of small quantities)
g r

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v dv
, as r 0 (6.5)
g dr
If the streamlines are in a horizontal plane, so that changes in potential head do not occur,
the change of total head H, i.e. the total energy per unit weight in a radial direction, dH/dr is
given by,
dH
change of pressure head +change of velocity head
dr
Substituting values from Equations (6.4) and (6.5) in the limit;
Change of total energy with radius,
dH v 2 v dv

dr gr g dr
dH v v dv
Or = + (6.6)
dr g r dr
v dv
The term + is also known as vorticity of the fluid (or Circulation in Polar co-
r dr
ordinates).
In equation (6.6), the control volume is in effect weightless, being supported vertically by
the surrounding fluid and the streamlines have been assumed horizontal. If the streamlines are
dv
taken as straight lines, r = and 0 . From equation (6.6) for a stream of fluid in which the
dr
dH
velocity is uniform across the cross-section, and neglecting friction, we have 0 and the total
dr
energy per unit weight H is constant for all points on all streamlines. This applies whether the
streamlines are parallel or inclined, as in the case of radial flow. In vortex motion, the streamlines
form a set of concentric circles and the changes of total energy per unit weight are governed by
equation (6.6).

6.4 Forced Vortex

This is also termed Flywheel vortex and is defined as that type of flow in which some
external torque is required to rotate the fluid mass. The fluid rotates as a solid body, with a
constant angular velocity. An example is a cylinder containing liquid with a free surface when
rotated about its central axis as shown in Fig. 6.3.
In forced vortex, the fluid rotates with a constant velocity i.e. at any radius r,
dv v
v=r, so that and =
dr r
From equation 6.6,
dH r 22 r

dr g g

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ECE 2203: Fluid Mechanics I 5
Integrating,
2 r 2
H C (6.7)
g
where C is a constant. But for any point in
the fluid, A B
2 Container
p v
H z (Bernoullis equation)
g 2g z P
2 2 y
p r
Or H z
g 2g D x E
Substituting in equation (6.7),
Torque
p v2 2 r 2
z C
g 2g g
Fig 6.3: Forced Vortex
p 2 r 2
Or z C (6.8)
g 2g
If the rotating fluid has a free surface, the
pressure at this surface will be atmospheric, i.e.
zero gauge pressure.
p
Putting 0 in equation (6.8), the profile of the free surface will be given by,
g
2 r 2
z C (6.9)
2g
For any horizontal plane for which z is constant, pressure distribution is given by,
p 2 r 2
z (C z) p/g. Therefore, the
g 2g r
the free surface will be in the form of a paraboloid
( Fig.6.4). The constant C can be evaluated from
boundary conditions. If the datum is at point D
(lowest point of profile), z will be zero when r =0 z
Substituting in equation (6.9), Datum
0 = 0+C, i.e. C = 0
2 r 2 Fig 6.4
Thus, z = (6.10)
2g
6.5 Rise at end and fall at centre of the liquid surface
Let: MN = liquid surface in cylinder before rotation A B
ACB = liquid profile after rotation
Volumes of liquid above level DE before and after M O N
rotation are equal (Fig 6.5). D C E
Volume above DCE before rotation
= R2MD (i)
Volume above DCE after rotation Fig 6.5
= volume of cylinder between DE and AB volume of paraboloid ACB

Volume above DCE after rotation,

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ECE 2203: Fluid Mechanics I 6
R2 R2

= R2 AD AD AD ...(ii)
2 2
R 2 AD

Thus, R 2 MD =
2
AD, or MD =
2
Hence, AM=MD=OC i.e. rise in level at ends =fall in level at centre

Example 6.1 An open cylinder of 200 mm diameter and 400mm deep contains water up to the
brim. Determine the amount of water left in the cylinder if it is brought to rest after rotating at:
(a) 220rpm (b)300rpm

Solution
(a) When the vessel is rotated at 220rpm (Fig 6.6):
Diameter of cylinder = 200 mm, or radius r = 0.1m R
Length of cylinder=400mm
=2N/60=2220/60=23.038 rad/s
h=2r2/2g=23.03820.12/29.81 = 0.270m a 0.4m

h
If vessel is brought to rest, depth of water in cylinder ha
= 0.40-0.135=0.265m
Amount of water remaining = R2depth
= 0.120.265 Fig 6.6
= 0.008325 m 3

(b) when the vessel is rotated at 300rpm

=2N/60=2300/60=31.416 rad/s
h=2r2/2g=31.41620.12/29.81=0.50m
Let: a= radius of paraboloid at bottom of vessel
h= 0.4+0.1 =0.5m and ha=0.1m
ha= 2a2/2g=31.4162a2/29.81=0.1
Or a2= 1.987910-3 m2
Volume of water spilled,
=volume of bigger paraboloid- volume of smaller paraboloid
= r2h/2- a2ha/2= /2{(0.120.5)- 1.987910-30.1}
= 0.007542 m3
Volume of cylinder =r2h=(0.12)0.4=0.01257 m3
Volume of water left in the cylinder=0.01257-0.007542=0.005028 m3

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6.6 Closed Cylindrical vessel.

If a cylindrical vessel is closed at the top and bottom, and contains some liquid, the shape
of the paraboloid formed due to rotation of the vessel will be as shown in Fig. 6.7 for different
speeds of rotation.

Cylinder before rotation Shape of paraboloid Shape of paraboloid

=0 at 1=0 at 2 (21)
1 2 r

Fig 6.7

When the cylinder is rotated at 21, the following will be unknown:

(i) Radius r of the parabola at the top of the vessel
(ii) Height of the parabola corresponding to the angular speed, 2.

To solve these two unknowns, the following two equations are required:
w2 r 2
One equation is: z = (6.11)
2g
The second equation is from the fact that for closed vessel:
Volume of air before rotation = volume of air after rotation.
= volume of closed vessel volume of liquid in vessel
Also Volume of air after rotation = volume of paraboloid formed.
r 2 z
(6.12)
2

Example 6.2 A cylindrical vessel closed at both ends contains water to a depth of 800mm. The
diameter of the vessel is 200mm and its depth is 1.2m. Determine: (a) the depth of paraboloid
formed if the vessel is rotated at a speed of 400 rpm about its vertical axis. (b) The speed of
rotation when the axial depth of water is zero (c)the area uncovered at the bottom if the vessel is
rotated at a speed of 700rpm.
Solution
(a) Depth of paraboloid formed when vessel is rotated at 400rpm;
Given: Initial depth of water = 800mm = 0.8m r
Diameter of vessel = 200mm = 0.2m
Length of vessel = 1200mm = 1.2m. z
Speed N = 400 rpm 800 1200
= 2N/60 = 2400/60= 41.88 rad/s.
When the vessel is rotated,
let: z = height of paraboloid formed. Fig 6.8
r = radius of paraboloid at the top of the vessel.
Volume of air before rotation = volume of air after rotation.
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ECE 2203: Fluid Mechanics I 8
Z
Or D2 L D 2 0.8 r 2
4 4 2
where z = height of paraboloid, and r = radius of parabola.
2 Z
D 1.2 D 2 0.8 r 2
4 4 2
2 2 Z
Or D (1.2 0.8) D 0.4 r 2
4 4 2
4000 2
r2 Z 8000 (i)

Using the relation, z = wr/2g, we get

41.882 r 2 41.882 r 2
Z 0.894r 2
2g 2 9.81
Z
r2
0.894
Substituting this value of r2 in equation (i),
(Z/0.894)Z = 8000
Or z = 84.56 cm=0.8456m
(b) The speed of rotation when the axial depth of water is zero;
When axial depth of water is zero, z = wr/2g
Thus 120 = wr/29.81 or wr=235200 (ii)
Volume of air before rotation = volume of air after rotation.
Z
R 2 (120 80) volume of paraboloid r 2
4 2
2
r
Or R 2 40 120
Or 2
r 2
Or 10 2 40 120
2
Thus r 2 66.67
Substitute value or r2 in equation (ii),
266.67=235200 or =59.4 rad/s
Speed N is given by,
= 2N/60 or N = 60/2 = (6059.4)/2 = 567.22 rpm

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(c) Area uncovered at the bottom when the vessel is rotated at 700rpm;

r1 x2
K M

1200

L N
x1
O
r2
Fig. 6
= 2N/60 = 2700/60 = 73.30 rad/s
If tank is not closed at the top and is also very long, the height of parabola
corresponding to =73.3 rad/s will be,
= r/2g=(73.310)/29.81=274.12 cm
From Fig 6.,
x1+120+x2=274.12
Or x1+x2 = 274.12-120=154.12 cm (iii)
For parabola KOM, we have,
(120+x1)= r1/2g=(73.3r1)/29.81 (iv)
For parabola LON, we have
2 r22 73.32 r22
x1 (v)
2g 2 9.81

Now volume of air before rotation = volume of air after rotation

Volume of air after rotation = volume of paraboloid KOM
Volume of paraboloid LON
120 x1 x
= r12 2
r2 1
2 2
Volume of air before rotation = r(120-80) = 1040
=12566.3 cm (vi)
Equate (vi) and (v),
120 x1 x
12566.3 = r12 2
r2 1 (vii)
2 2
Substitute value of r12 from (iv) in (vii); we get
120 x1 2 9.81 120 x1 r22 x1
12566.3
73.32 2 2
2 2 9.81 120 x1
From (iv), r1
73.32

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2 r22 x1
Or 12566.3 0.573(120 x1 )
2
Substitute the value of x1 from equation (v) in the above equation;
2
73.32 r22 r22 73.32 r22
12566.3 0.573 120
2 9.81 2 2 9.81
0.573(120 2.74r22 )2 4.3 r22 r22

0.573 14400 7.506r24 657.6r22 4.3r24
r24 7.506 4.3 657.6r22 14400 21930 0
2 657.6 {657.62 4(7530) (3.206)
r
2 215.98 or 10.87
Thus, 2 3.206
Or r22 10.87cm 2
Area uncovered at the base = r22 10.87 34.149cm 2

6.7 FREE VORTEX

Free vortex (or Potential vortex or Free cylindrical vortex) is a type of vortex or circular
flow in which no external energy is supplied. In this type of vortex flow,(Fig 6.9) the total energy
head is the same for all points of the liquid. The streamlines are concentric circles and the
variation of velocity with radius is such that there is no change in energy per unit weight with
radius, so that,
dH/dr = 0 (i)

An example Free Vortex is a basin discharging through a central hole at the bottom.

v2/2g
Total energy line
r p/g
H
z
Datum

Fig 6.9: Free vortex

Substituting above condition in Eq.6.6,
v v dv
0 ,
g r dr
dv dr
Or 0
v r
Integrating,
logev+loger = C (constant)
Or loge(vr) = C
Or vr = C (ii)
where C is a constant known as the strength of the vortex at any radius r.
C
Thus, v= (6.13)
r
p v2
Since at any point, z H a cons tan t, substituting for v from equation (6.13)
g 2g

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yields,
p C2
z+ + =H
g 2gr 2
If the fluid has a free surface, p/g = 0 and the profile of the free surface is given by,
C2
H-z = (6.14)
2gr 2
Equation 6.14 is a hyperbola asymptotic to the axis of rotation and to the horizontal plane
through z=H, as shown in Fig 6.11.
For any horizontal plane, z is constant and the pressure variation is given by,
p C2
= (H - z) - (6.15)
g 2gr 2
Thus in free vortex, pressure decreases and circumferential velocity increases as we move
towards the centre.

Example 6.3 A point A on the free surface of a free vortex is at a radius rA = 200mm and a height
zA = 125mm above the datum (Fig 6.10). If the free surface at a distance from the axis of the
vortex, which is sufficient for its effect to be negligible, is 180mm above datum, determine the
height above datum of a point B on the free surface at a radius of 100mm.

Solution
Height above datum of a point B on the free surface at a radius of 100mm;
For point A, and using equation (6.14),
H-zA = C/2g

rA

zA

Fig 6.10
2
C
rA2 ( H Z A )
2g
Now, H is the head above datum at an infinite distance from the axis of rotation, where
effect of vortex is negligible, so that H = 180mm = 0.18m.
Also zA = 0.125m and rA = 0.2m.
C2
0.2 2 (0.18 0.125) 2.2 10 3 m3
2g
For point B,
C2
H-zB = C/2g H Z B
2 grB2
C2 2.2 10 3
ZB H 0. 18 0.04m
2 grB2 0.12
Or ZB = 40mm below datum.

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6.8 COMPOUND VORTEX.
In compound vortex, the fluid rotates as a forced vortex at the centre and as a free vortex
outside. For free vortex, v =C/r, so that the velocity is infinite at the centre. Velocities near the
axis of rotation would be very high and as the frictional losses which vary as the square of
velocity will cease to be negligible, the assumption that the total head H remains constant will
cease to be true. The central part of the vortex tends to rotate as solid body, thus forming a forced
vortex surrounded by a free vortex as shown in Fig 6.11. The velocity at the two common radius
R must be the same for both vortices.
For the free vortex, let y1 = depression of surface at radius R below level of surface at
infinity,
y1 = C/2gR = v/2g = R/2g
For the forced vortex, let y2 = height of the surface at radius R above the centre of
depression,
y2 = R/2g = C/2gR
Thus, total depression = y1+y2 = C/ gR = R/g (6.16)

R
y1
axis of rotation
y2

free vortex forced vortex free vortex

Fig 6.11 Compound Vortex

For the forced vortex, velocity at radius R is R, while for the free vortex, from equation
(6.13), The velocity at radius R is C/R. Thus at the common radius, these two velocities will be
the same, so that,
R = C/R or R = (C/)
But C = /2 for curved flows, where is the circulation, so that common radius,
R = (C/) = ( /2 ) ...(6.17)

Example 6.4 A compound vortex produced in water having a free surface comprises a central
forced vortex surrounded by a free vortex. The change in the type of vortex motion occurs at a
radius of 0.15m and the depth of the centre of the depression is 0.6m below the free surface level,
where r . Obtain the angular velocity of the forced vortex.
Solution.
Consider a compound vortex as shown in Fig 6.12.

r
d
axis of rotation
z

free vortex forced vortex free vortex

Fig 6.12
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For a forced vortex, v = r. At any radius r the height of free surface above the centre of
the depression is given by z = r/2g. For a free vortex, v= C/R and the depression of the
surface at any radius r below the surface at infinity is ,
C2 v2
d
2 gr 2 2 g
Taking r as the common radius of the two vortices, total depression,
2r 2 v 2
zd
2g 2g
Since at the common radius the velocities of the two
vortices are equal,
2r 2
V = r so that z d
g

Putting z+d = 0.6m, r = 0.15m,

2 0.152
0.6 or = 16.17 rad/s
g

6.9 FREE SPIRAL VORTEX

This is irrotational and presents a potential flow. It is a combination of a free vortex and
radial flow and is obtained by superposition of the stream functions of a free vortex with either a
sink or a source flow depending upon the direction of the radial flow.

s=2
s=3 s=1

s=4 s=0

s=5 s=7

s=6
Fig 6.13 Free Spiral Vortex
For outward flow, using a source and for a clockwise vortex,
SV = SOURCE+FREE VORTEX.
= q/2 + (C/2)loger
= (1/2)( q+ C loger) (6.18)
and SV = SOURCE+FREE VORTEX
= (q/2) loger +((C/2)
= (1/2)( q loger + C ) (6.19)
The resulting flow is shown in Fig 6.13.

Example 6.5 In a free spiral vortex, the radial velocity is 0.9 m/s inwards at A at a radius of 0.3m
from the axis. The circumferential velocity at a point B, 0.9m from the axis is 0.3m/s. Determine:
(a) the resultant velocity at A and its inclination to the radius (b) the pressure between A and B if
they are at the same level.

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Solution.
The fluid rotates and flows radially forming a free spiral vortex with the particle forming a
spiral path as shown in Fig 6.14.
At any radius r, let :
u = radial velocity
v = circumferential velocity
V = resultant velocity
Also, ur = C, and vr = C
Y

X X u

Path of particle
Y Fig 6.14

Thus, uArA= uBrB

r 0.9
U B U A A 0.9 0.9m / s
rB 0.3
Resultant velocity at A = V

V (U A2 v A2 ) 0.9 2 0.9 2 1.273m / s
If = angle between streamline and radius,
v 0.9
tan A 1
u A 0.9
Hence = 45

Since there is no energy change from A to B, by Bernoullis theorem,

p A v A2 p v2
z A B B zB
g 2 g g 2 g
Putting z A z B , v A u 2
A v A2 andvB u 2
B vB2

pB p A


v u 2
A
2
A v 2
B u 2
B
g 2g

0.9 2

0.92 0.32 0.32 0.734m head
2g

Lecture Notes: Academic Year 2016/2017 Semester I