Chapter 3:

Fluid Dynamics: Bernoulli Equation

Fluid Mechanics
SMJC2113

Ts. Dr. Faizah Che Ros

Chemical and Environmental engineering
Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology
3.4 Bernoulli Equation
In physics you learned that energy can be neither created nor
destroyed, but it can be transformed from one form into
another. This is a statement of the law of conservation of energy.

Fig. 3.16 shows the element of a fluid in a pipe.

There are three forms of energy that are always considered
when analyzing a pipe flow problem. Consider an element of
fluid as shown in Fig. 3.16, inside a pipe in a flow system. It is
located at certain elevation , has a velocity and has a
pressure . The element of fluid possesses the following forms
of energy.
 3.4 Bernoulli Equation
The element of fluid possesses in the following forms of energy:
1) Potential Energy. Due to its elevation, the potential energy of
the element relative to some reference level is

Eq. 3‐6

2) Kinetic Energy. Due to its velocity, the kinetic energy of the

element is

Eq. 3‐7

3) Flow Energy. Sometimes called pressure energy or flow work,

this represents the amount of work necessary to move the
element of fluid across a certain section against the pressure
p. Flow energy is abbreviated FE and is calculated from

Eq. 3‐8
4.3 Bernoulli Equation
Equation 3‐8 can be derived as follows where Fig. 3.17 show
the element of fluid in the pipe being moved across a section.
The force on the element is In moving the element across
the section, the force moves a distance equal to the length
of the element. Therefore the work done is

Work

V is the volume of the element. The of the element is

Fig. 3.17 Flow energy

3.4 Bernoulli Equation
The total amount of energy of these three forms possessed by
the element of fluid is the sum E,

Consider elements in Fig.

3.18 which moves from sec. 1
to sec. 2.
𝑤𝑝 𝑤𝑣
𝐸 𝑤𝑧 1
𝛾 2𝑔

𝑤𝑝 𝑤𝑣
𝐸 𝑤𝑧 2
𝛾 2𝑔

Fig. 3.18 Fluid element used in Bernoulli’s equation.

3.4 Bernoulli Equation
If no energy is added to the fluid or lost between sec. 1 and 2,
the the principle of conservation of energy requires that

𝑤 is common
in all terms

Eq. 3‐9

Eq. 3‐9 is referred to as Bernoulli’s equation.

3.5 Interpretation of Bernoulli
In fluid flow analysis, the terms are typically expressed as “head”,
referring to a height above a reference level. Specifically,

Fig. 3.19 helps to visualize the relationship among the three types of
energy.
 3.5 Interpretation of Bernoulli
Velocity head at sec. 2 will be
less than at sec. 1. This can be
shown by the continuity
equation:

Because 𝐴 𝐴 , 𝑣 must be
less than 𝑣 .
In Summary:

Bernoulli’s equation accounts

for the changes in elevation
head, pressure head, and
velocity head between two
points in a fluid flow system.

Fig. 3.20 Pressure head, elevation head, velocity head

and total head.
 3.5 Interpretation of Bernoulli

Fig. 3.21 Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL) and Energy Grade Line (EGL)

Line that represents the sum of the pressure head and the
elevation head is called the hydraulic grade line. The line that
represents the total head of the fluid is called the energy grade
line. The difference between the heights of EGL & HGL is equal to
the velocity head as shown in Fig. 3.21
Example 3.2
In Fig. 3.20, water at 10°C is flowing from sec. 1 to sec. 2. At sec. 1,
which is 25 mm in diameter, the gage pressure is 345 kPa and the
velocity of flow is 3.0 m/s. Sec. 2, which is 50 mm in diameter, is 2.0 m
above sec. 1. Assuming there are no energy losses in the system,
calculate the pressure p2.
Solution

Use continuity equation to

find 𝑣

1
Solution (Example 3.2)

Substitute the value in 1

 3.6 Static and stagnation, Dynamic and Total
Pressure (Bernoulli Equation)

Static Dynamic Hydrostatic

Pressure Pressure Pressure
Static Pressure: moves along the fluid “static” to the motion.
Dynamic Pressure: due to the mean flow going to forced stagnation.
Hydrostatic Pressure: potential energy due to elevation changes.

Following a streamline:
1 1
p2  V2 2  z2  p1  V12  z1
2 2 Follow a Streamline from point 1 to 2
0 0, no elevation 0, no elevation Fig. 3.22. Static, dynamic and
stagnation pressures illustration

1 p2  H
p2  p1  V12 Note: “Total Pressure = Dynamic Pressure + Static Pressure”
2
H>h
V1   H  h  In this way we obtain a measurement of the centerline flow with piezometer tube.
3.6 Static and stagnation, Dynamic and Total
Pressure (Bernoulli Equation)
• The sum of the static, dynamic, and hydrostatic pressures is
called the total pressure. Therefore, the Bernoulli equation
states that the total pressure along a streamline is constant.
• The sum of the static and dynamic pressures is called the
stagnation pressure, and it is expressed as

Eq. 3‐10

• The stagnation pressure

represents the pressure at a point
where the fluid is brought to a
complete stop isentropically as
shown in Fig. 4.8.
Fig. 3.23. Static, dynamic
and stagnation
Eq. 3‐11 pressures illustration
3.7 Application of Bernoulli Equation
3.7.1 Tanks, Reservoirs and Nozzles Exposed to the Atmosphere

Example 3.3
Figure 3.24 shows a siphon that is used to draw water from a
swimming pool. The pipes that makes up the siphon has an inside dia.
of 40 mm and terminates at 25 mm dia. nozzle. Assuming that there
are no energy losses, calculate the volume flow rate through the
siphon and the pressure at point B to E.

Fig. 3.24. Siphon

Solution (Example 3.3)
Point F is in the free stream of water outside the nozzle. Because the stream is exposed to
atmospheric pressure, the pressure pF = 0 Pa. We also know that point F is 3.0 m below point
A.
Solution (Example 3.3)
Pressure at point B,

The negative sign indicates that pB is

4.50 kPa below atmospheric pressure.
Solution (Example 3.3)
Pressure at point C,

Because pA = 0 and vA = 0, the pressure at point C is

Solution (Example 3.3)
Pressure at point D is the same at point B which is equal to ‐4.5kPa. Solution by
Bernoulli’s equation would prove this.
Pressure at point E,

Because pA = 0 and vA = 0, we have

Example 3.4
Given: Velocity in outlet pipe from Point 1
reservoir is 6 m/s and h = 15 m.
Find: Pressure at A.
Solution
p1 V12 p A V A2
 z1    zA 
 2g  2g
0 0 pA V A2
h  0 Point A
 2g  2g
V A2 18
pA   ( h  )  9810(15  )
2g 9.81
pA  129.2 kPa
Exercise 3.2
For the system shown in figure below, calculate
(a) the volume flow rate of oil from the nozzle
(b) the pressures at A and B.
Exercise 3.3
For the system shown in figure below, find the flow rate, Q.
 3.7 Application of Bernoulli Equation
3.7.1 Venturi meters
• Figure 3.25 shows a device called a venturi
meter that can be used to measure the velocity
of flow in a fluid flow system.
• The analysis of such a device is based on the
application of Bernoulli’s equation.
• The reduced‐diameter section at B causes the
velocity of flow to increase there with a
corresponding decrease in the pressure.
• It will be shown that the velocity of flow is
dependent on the difference in pressure
between points A and B. Therefore, a
differential manometer as shown is convenient
to use.
Fig. 3.25 Venturi meter system
Example 3.5
The venturi meter shown in Fig.
4.10 carries water at 60°C. The
specific gravity of the gage fluid
in the manometer is 1.25.
Calculate the velocity of flow at
section A and the volume flow
rate of water.
Solution

Solve the equation algebraically for the desired

term
1

Elevation difference is Fig. 3.25 Venturi meter system

The value is negative
because B is higher
than A.
Solution (Example 3.5)
Specific weight of the gage fluid is,

Manometer equation from A

Note that the two terms containing the unknown y variable can be cancelled out. Solving
for the pressure difference, we find
Solution (Example 3.5)
Note, however, that there are still two unknowns on the right side, vA and vB. We can
eliminate one unknown by finding another independent equation that relates these two
variables. A convenient equation is the continuity equation,

Put everything back in equation 1

Exercise 3.4
Figure below shows a manometer being used to indicate the pressure difference
between two points in a pipe system. Calculate the volume flow rate of water in
the system if the manometer deflection h is 250 mm. (this arrangement is called
venturi meter , which is often used for flow measurement.

Exercise 3.5
For venturi meter shown in figure below, calculate the manometer deflection
h if the velocity of flow of water in the 25 mm diameter section is 10 m/s.
 3.7 Application of Bernoulli Equation
3.7.3 Torriceli’s Theorem
• Fluid is flowing from the side of
a tank through a smooth,
rounded nozzle.
• To determine the velocity of
flow from the nozzle, write
Bernoulli’s equation between a
reference point on the fluid
surface and a point in the jet
issuing from the nozzle:

Fig. 3.26 Flow from a tank

Eq. 3‐12
Example 4.7
For the tank shown in Fig. 4.11, compute the velocity of flow from
the nozzle for a fluid depth h of 3.00 m.
Solution

Fig. 3.26 Flow from a tank