Free and Forced Vortex Apparatus
Product Code : EL-FMLE-10662
Free and Forced Vortex Apparatus (code EL-FMLE-10662) is used to study and plot the surface shapes of free and forced vortices in a cylindrical, transparent vessel 250 mm in diameter and 180 mm deep. Two pairs of diametrically opposed inlet tubes, 12.5 mm at 15° for the free vortex and 9 mm at 60° onto a two-blade paddle for the forced vortex, set up the swirl, and push-in orifices of 24, 16, 12 and 8 mm change the central outlet.
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Specifications
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use | Study of the shape of free and forced vortices |
| Vessel | Cylindrical, transparent, 250 mm diameter and 180 mm depth |
| Inlet tubes | Two pairs of diametrically opposed tubes, 9.0 mm and 12.5 mm diameter |
| Free vortex inlets | 12.5 mm tubes angled at 15° to the diameter, imparting a swirling motion |
| Forced vortex inlets | 9 mm bore tubes angled at 60° to the diameter, impinging on a two-blade paddle |
| Paddle | Simple two-blade paddle acting as stirrer/flow straightener |
| Forced vortex outlet | Water leaves through the 12.5 mm angled tubes |
| Outlet | Smooth outlet centrally positioned in the base |
| Push-in orifices | Set of 24, 16, 12 and 8 mm diameter, for reducing the outlet diameter |
| Profile gauge | Gauge on a diametrically mounted bridge piece, measuring the vortex diameter at various depths to give the co-ordinates of the profile |
| Experiments | Surface profiles of forced vortices at different speeds; shape of a free vortex and verification that v r = constant; verification of h = (w² r²)/2g for forced vortices |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| L × W × H | 600 × 600 × 800 mm |
| Weight | 60 kg |
| Supply | |
| Product code | EL-FMLE-10662 |
| Manufacturer | Engineering Lab Equipment, Ambala, Haryana, India |
What Is the Free and Forced Vortex Apparatus Used For?
In a free vortex no energy is added, so the water speeds up as it moves inward and the product of speed and radius stays constant; in a forced vortex the water turns like a solid body and its surface takes a parabolic shape. Students run water in through the 15° tubes with a chosen push-in orifice to form a free vortex, then through the 60° tubes onto the paddle for a forced vortex. In each case they traverse the bridge gauge to measure the vortex diameter at several depths, plot the surface profile and check it against v r = constant or h = (w² r²)/2g.
What to Specify When Ordering
- Quantity — the number of vortex apparatus required.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a free vortex produced in the vessel?
Water enters through the 12.5 mm inlet tubes, which are angled at 15° to the diameter so that the incoming liquid swirls, and drains through the central outlet in the base.
How is the forced vortex created?
The 9 mm bore tubes, angled at 60° to the diameter, direct water onto a two-blade paddle acting as a stirrer, and the water leaves through the 12.5 mm angled tubes.
What are the push-in orifices for?
A set of push-in orifices of 24, 16, 12 and 8 mm diameter reduces the central outlet diameter to a suitable value for the vortex being formed.
How is the vortex profile measured?
A gauge on a diametrically mounted bridge piece measures the diameter of the vortex at various depths, giving the co-ordinate points needed to plot its profile.
Which relationships can be verified?
For a free vortex the measured profile is used to verify that v r = constant, and for forced vortices the formula h = (w² r²)/2g, where h is the water surface height above the datum.
What size is the vessel?
The cylindrical transparent vessel is 250 mm in diameter and 180 mm deep; the apparatus overall measures 600 × 600 × 800 mm and weighs 60 kg.
OEM Manufacturer
The Free and Forced Vortex Apparatus is made by Engineering Lab Equipment (Engineering Labs Equipment Pvt Ltd) at its works at Plot No. 43, Industrial Park, Sector 2, Growth Center, Saha, District Ambala, Haryana, India. The company designs, makes and tests fluid mechanics apparatus for flow measurement, pipe friction, pumps and hydrostatics for engineering colleges, polytechnics, technical training institutes and research laboratories in India and overseas, and can build equipment to an institution's own requirements. Tender and OEM enquiries are handled through the Tenders/OEM page.
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Request a Quote
For this and other fluid mechanics lab equipment, schools and colleges can contact Engineering Lab Equipment, a manufacturer, supplier and exporter based in Ambala, India. To ask for a quotation, send the number of vortex apparatus required and your delivery location through the contact page, or use the Add To Cart enquiry button on this page.
Last updated: October 2026
