The parabolic velocity flow profile inside a pipe is usually not important, as flow is almost always turbulent, so the profile is typically quite blunt. Its a more parabolic profile when in laminar flow ranges.
It's usually sufficient to work with the average velocity, unless you are trying to determine heat transfer characteristics, the fluid has a high viscosity, or you are trying to insert chemical injector tubes.
What specific problem do you have?
--Einstein gave the same test to students every year. When asked why he would do something like that, "Because the answers had changed."
My question is general, want just to know the use of the knowledge of velocity distribution in engineering, such as engineering analysis or instruments installation or design etc..
Hi 1503-44,
Thanks for response.
As above, My question is general, want just to know the use of the knowledge of velocity distribution in engineering, such as engineering analysis or instruments installation or design etc..
If you need to know exactly where to position a pitot tube, or flow meter it can be quite important. , as well as predicting pressure drop in highly viscous and non-Newtonian fluids.
--Einstein gave the same test to students every year. When asked why he would do something like that, "Because the answers had changed."
@ LittleInch (Petroleum), Ya in most cases flow is turbulent, so the velocity profile is Flat parabolic, this is beneficial for heat transfer or mass transfer.
Thanks for your reply.
Hi,
The integration of the velocity profile is useful to calculate the flow rate knowing the section of the pipe.
Typical application is gas flowrate using pitot tube.
Breizh
Knowing velocity profile in non-mixed tubular reactors will also give you the min/max/average residence time of the reactants, which can significantly affect design.