Experimental Studies on Vortex Chamber Flows

Present paper deals with the results of the experimental investigation regarding the velocity distribution inside the vortex chamber type sediment extractor. Data are collected in the laboratory on a vortex chamber model. A Programmable Electro-Magnetic Shunt (P.E.M.S.) flow meter is used to measure the velocity components along tangential and radial directions at well-defined nodal points inside the chamber. Graphs for radial and tangential velocity distributions are plotted at various depths, different values of inlet discharges and water abstraction ratios. It is found that velocity distribution throughout the chamber is not uniform due to unsymmetrical positions of iniet and outlet channels. In some part of the chamber it follows the law of Rankine vortex type velocity distribution. Also, various segments of the chamber having similar velocity distributions are identified and an attempt has been made to develop empirical relationships for the velocities in various segments of the chamber using the laboratory data.