Example Momentum equation application change in flow direction

A horizontal water exits a nozzle with a uniform speed of V1=3m/s, strikes a vane, and is turned
through an angle . Determine the anchoring force needed to hold the vane stationary if the
gravity and viscous effects are negligible.
Solution
We select a control volume that includes the vane and a portion of the water and apply the
momentum equation to this control volume. Section 1 (the entrance) and 2 (the exit) are
considered. The x and z components of momentum equation become

u2 A2V2 u1 A1V1 Fx

w2 A2V2 w1 A1V1 Fz

Where V ui wk and

and

are the net x and z components of force acting on

the contents of the control volume.

The water enters and leaves the control volume as a free jet at atmospheric pressure. Hence,
there is atmospheric pressure surrounding the entire control volume, and the net pressure force
on the control volume surface is zero;
If we neglect the weight of the water and vane, the only forces applied to the control volume
contents are the horizonal and vertical components of the anchoring forces, FAx and FAZ .
With negligible gravity and viscous effects, and since p1=p2, the speed of the fluid remains
constant so that V1=V2=3m/s (Bernoulli equation). Hence
At Section 1, u1 V1 , w1 0
At Section 2, u2 V1 cos , w2 V1 sin .
By using these equations, momentum equations can be written as

V1 cos A2 V1 V1 A1 V1 FAx

V1 sin A2 V1 0 A1 V1 FAz
Above two equations can be simplified by using mass conservation, i.e. A2 V2 A1 V1 or

A2 A1 since V2 V1 , thus

FAx A1V12 A1V12 cos A1V12 (1 cos )

(1000)(0.006)(3)(1 cos ) 54(1 cos ) N

FAz A1V12 c sin

(1000)(0.006)(3)(sin ) 54(sin ) N

Note The values of FAx and FAz as a function of are shown in the figure below. Note that if =0
(i.e. the vane does not turn the water), the anchoring force is zero. The invicid fluid merely slides
along the vane without putting any force on it. If =90deg, and then FAx=-54 N and FAz=54 N. It is
necessary to push on the vane (and, hence, for the vane to push on the water) to the left (FAx is
negative) and up in order to change the direction of flow of the water from horizontal to vertical.
This momentum change requires a force. If =180deg, the water jet is turned back on itself. This
requires no vertical force (FAz=0), but the horizontal force (FAx=-108 N) is two times that required
if =90deg. This horizontal fluid momentum change requires a horizontal force only.
Note that the anchoring force can be written in terms of the mass flowrate, m A1V1 , as

FAx mV1 (1 cos )

FAz mV1 sin

In this example, exerting a force on a fluid flow resulted in a change in its direction only.