The Wide World of Fluids article titled "10 Tons on 8 psi,". A massive, precisely machined, 6-ft-diameter granite sphere rests on a 4-ft-diameter cylindrical pedestal as shown in Fig. P6.75. When the pump is turned on and the water pressure within the pedestal reaches 8 psi, the sphere rises off the pedestal, creating a 0.005-in. gap through which the water flows. The sphere can then be rotated about any axis with minimal friction.

(a) Estimate the pump flowrate, \(Q_{0}\), required to accomplish this. Assume the flow in the gap between the sphere and the pedestal is essentially viscous flow between fixed, parallel plates.

(b) Describe what would happen if the pump flowrate were increased to \(2 Q_{0}\).

Figure P6.75 

Transcribed Image Text:

0.005 in. 4 in. 6 ft 4 ft Pump p = 8 psi