Calculate the minimum velocity (m/sec) required to transport Coarse sa...
Problem Statement
Calculate the minimum velocity (m/sec) required to transport Coarse sand through a sewer of 35 cm diameter with sand particles of 0.97 mm diameter and specific gravity 2.59, and organic matter of 4.75 mm average size with a specific gravity of 1.42. The friction factor for the sewer material may be assumed as 0.04 and roughness coefficient of 0.013. Consider k = 0.05 for inorganic solids and 0.07 for organic solids. Correct answer is between '0.48,0.56'.
Solution
Step 1: Calculate Reynolds number
Reynolds number (Re) = (velocity x diameter x density) / viscosity
For sand particles:
- Diameter (d) = 0.97 mm = 0.00097 m
- Specific gravity (s) = 2.59
- Density (ρ) = s x density of water = 2.59 x 1000 kg/m³ = 2590 kg/m³
- Viscosity (μ) = 0.001 Pa.s (for water at 20°C)
- Velocity (v) = ? (to be determined)
- Diameter of sewer (D) = 35 cm = 0.35 m
Re = (v x D x ρ) / μ = (v x 0.35 x 2590) / 0.001 = 906500v
For organic matter:
- Diameter (d) = 4.75 mm = 0.00475 m
- Specific gravity (s) = 1.42
- Density (ρ) = s x density of water = 1.42 x 1000 kg/m³ = 1420 kg/m³
- Viscosity (μ) = 0.001 Pa.s (for water at 20°C)
- Velocity (v) = ? (to be determined)
- Diameter of sewer (D) = 35 cm = 0.35 m
Re = (v x D x ρ) / μ = (v x 0.35 x 1420) / 0.001 = 497000v
Step 2: Calculate friction factor
Friction factor (f) = 0.04 (given)
Step 3: Calculate relative roughness
Relative roughness (ε/D) = 0.013 / 0.35 = 0.037
Step 4: Calculate particle Reynolds number
Particle Reynolds number (Rep) = (v x d x ρ) / μ
For sand particles:
Rep = (v x 0.00097 x 2590) / 0.001 = 2516v
For organic matter:
Rep = (v x 0.00475 x 1420) / 0.001 = 8033v
Step 5: Calculate critical velocity
Critical velocity (vc) = (k x g x d) / f
For sand particles:
- k = 0.05 (given)
- g = 9.81 m/s²
- d