Measurement of Air Flow Velocity in a Wind Tunnel Using a Pitot Tube

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Florida Institute of Technology *

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3161

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Mechanical Engineering

Date

Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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3

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Measurement of Air Flow Velocity in a Wind Tunnel Using a Pitot Tube Abstract This lab report details an experiment conducted to measure the velocity of air flow in a wind tunnel using a Pitot tube. The objective was to demonstrate the principles of fluid dynamics by directly measuring the static and dynamic pressures and calculating the airspeed. The experiment involved varying the wind tunnel speed and recording the corresponding pressure differences. The results were then used to calculate the flow velocities and compare them with theoretical values, demonstrating the Pitot tube's effectiveness in measuring fluid flow velocities. Introduction The Pitot tube, named after Henri Pitot who introduced the concept in the 18th century, is a device that measures fluid flow velocity by converting the kinetic energy in a fluid flow to potential energy. The principle behind its operation is Bernoulli's equation, which relates the fluid's velocity to its pressure. This experiment aims to apply this principle to determine the velocity of air flowing through a wind tunnel, illustrating the practical applications of the Pitot tube in engineering and aerodynamics. Theory The velocity of a fluid flow can be determined from the difference between the total pressure (or stagnation pressure) and the static pressure. Bernoulli's equation for incompressible flow states that: +12 2= 0 �� P + 21 ρv 2 = P 0 where P is the static pressure, ρ is the fluid density, v is the fluid velocity, and 0 P 0 is the total pressure. The velocity v can be calculated by measuring P and 0 P 0 and using the equation: =2( 0− ) � � v = ρ 2( P 0 P ) Methodology Equipment Wind tunnel Pitot tube connected to a differential pressure gauge Anemometer (for validation of Pitot tube measurements) Digital manometer or pressure transducer
Procedure 1. Place the Pitot tube at the desired measurement location in the wind tunnel. 2. Ensure the Pitot tube is aligned with the air flow direction. 3. Gradually increase the wind tunnel's airspeed, and for each setting, record the differential pressure (total pressure minus static pressure) indicated by the pressure gauge. 4. Use the anemometer to measure the airspeed at each setting as a means of validating the Pitot tube measurements. 5. Calculate the air velocity at each setting using the measured pressure differences and the air density. Results The results section should include tables and graphs that display the measured differential pressures and calculated velocities at different wind tunnel speeds. A comparison between the velocities measured by the Pitot tube and those obtained with the anemometer should also be provided. Example Table: Wind Tunnel Speed Setting Differential Pressure (Pa) Calculated Velocity (m/s) Anemometer Velocity (m/s) ... ... ... ... Discussion Analyze the results, focusing on the accuracy and reliability of the Pitot tube measurements in comparison with the anemometer readings. Discuss any discrepancies and their possible causes, such as alignment issues with the Pitot tube, turbulence in the wind tunnel, or inaccuracies in the pressure measurements. Reflect on the implications of these findings for the use of Pitot tubes in practical applications, such as aircraft speed measurement and industrial fluid flow monitoring. Conclusion The experiment successfully demonstrated the use of a Pitot tube to measure air flow velocity in a wind tunnel, validating the theoretical principles behind the device. While some discrepancies were observed between the Pitot tube and anemometer measurements, these were attributed to experimental errors and limitations. The findings confirm the Pitot tube's value as a reliable tool for fluid velocity measurement in engineering and aerodynamic studies.
References Pitot, H. (1732). "Description d'une machine pour mesurer la vitesse des eaux courantes et le sillage des vaisseaux." Histoire de l'Académie Royale des Sciences. Anderson, J.D. (2010). "Fundamentals of Aerodynamics." McGraw-Hill Education. Munson, B.R., Young, D.F., & Okiishi, T.H. (2009). "Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics." Wiley.
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