In fluid dynamics, a vortex is a circular flow of a fluid caused by sufficiently large velocity gradients. In practice, this can be observed when water flows out of a basin into a pipe or when two fluids with different speeds meet each other.
The experimental unit allows you to produce and study free and forced vortices.
The experimental unit has a transparent tank with nozzles, various inserts on the water drain, an impeller and a point gauge for detecting the vortex profiles.
To form the free vortex, water is introduced radially into the tank and flows through a ring to slow down. The vortex is created by the flow out of the tank. There are four easily replaceable inserts of various diameters available for the drain. The point gauges are used to measure the surface profiles of the vortices. The speed of the vortex is also determined.
The experimental unit is positioned easily and securely on the work surface of the base module. The water is supplied and the flow measured by base module. Alternatively, the experimental unit can be operated by the laboratory supply.
Learning objectives and experiments
- Visualisation of various vortices
- Investigation of free and forced vortices
- Representation of surface profiles
- Determination of velocity
Features
- Generation and investigation of free and forced vortices
- Different inserts for the water drain
- Impeller for generating a forced vortex
Specification
- Generation and investigation of vortices
- Transparent tank allows visualisation of vortex formation
- Two nozzles for radial water supply (free vortex)
- Two nozzles for tangential water supply (forced vortex)
- Different inserts for the water drain to generate free vortex
- Impeller for generating a forced vortex
- Point gauges detect the surface profile
- Flow rate determined by base module
- Water supply using base module or via laboratory supply
Technical specification
- Tank
- Diameter: 250mm
- Height: 190mm
- 4 inserts for the water drain
- Diameter: 8, 12, 16 and 24mm
- Impeller with 3 blades
- Vertical point gauge
- 6 movable rods
- Horizontal point gauge
- 2 movable rods
- Measuring tube, movable
- Horizontal 0…90mm, vertical 70…190mm
- Diameter: 4mm
