Math Problem Statement

Water (p=1000kg/m^3) travels from a large 100m tall reservoir through a 0.5m constant diameter pipe where a turbine extracts 10 megawatts of power. The flow exits the constant diameter pipe with a velocity of 25 m/s. Assume all of the losses occur within the pipe and the turbine. What is the static gauge pressure at the pipe inlet?

Solution

To calculate the static gauge pressure at the pipe inlet, we can use Bernoulli’s equation and the power relationship. Bernoulli's equation helps us connect the energy at different points along the flow, while the power extracted by the turbine helps us account for energy loss.

Assumptions:

  1. Steady flow, incompressible fluid (water).
  2. The water enters the turbine from the reservoir (which is large) and exits the pipe with a velocity of 25 m/s.
  3. The height of the reservoir (relative to the turbine) is 100 m.
  4. All the losses are concentrated in the pipe and turbine.

Step-by-Step Approach:

We will apply Bernoulli's equation between two points:

  1. Point 1: Just at the surface of the reservoir (where the velocity is negligible, and height is h=100h = 100 m).
  2. Point 2: At the inlet of the turbine (where the height is h=0h = 0 m, and velocity is known to be 25m/s25 \, \text{m/s}).

1. Bernoulli's equation:

P1+12ρv12+ρgh1=P2+12ρv22+ρgh2P_1 + \frac{1}{2} \rho v_1^2 + \rho g h_1 = P_2 + \frac{1}{2} \rho v_2^2 + \rho g h_2 Where:

  • P1P_1 is the pressure at the surface of the reservoir (atmospheric pressure).
  • P2P_2 is the static gauge pressure at the pipe inlet (what we need to find).
  • v1v_1 is the velocity at the reservoir surface, which is 0m/s0 \, \text{m/s} (because it's large).
  • v2=25m/sv_2 = 25 \, \text{m/s} is the velocity at the turbine inlet.
  • h1=100mh_1 = 100 \, \text{m}, height of the reservoir.
  • h2=0mh_2 = 0 \, \text{m}, height at the turbine inlet.
  • ρ=1000kg/m3\rho = 1000 \, \text{kg/m}^3, density of water.
  • g=9.81m/s2g = 9.81 \, \text{m/s}^2, acceleration due to gravity.

Simplifying Bernoulli’s equation between the reservoir surface and the pipe inlet:

P1+ρgh1=P2+12ρv22P_1 + \rho g h_1 = P_2 + \frac{1}{2} \rho v_2^2 We are interested in the gauge pressure, so P1P_1 is atmospheric pressure and we take it as zero (for gauge pressure). The equation simplifies to:

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Fluid Mechanics
Energy Conservation
Bernoulli's Equation

Formulas

Bernoulli's equation: P1 + 1/2 ρ v1^2 + ρ g h1 = P2 + 1/2 ρ v2^2 + ρ g h2
Gauge pressure: P_gauge = P_absolute - P_atmospheric

Theorems

Bernoulli's Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

University level (Mechanical Engineering, Fluid Dynamics)