Fluids Mechanics - 2021 entry

This is an applied module, which aims to develop your understanding of the continuity and energy equations used to solve fluid problems of relevance to both mining and renewable applications. By taking this module, you will develop an appreciation of energy loss in fluid flows, and learn about dimensional analysis techniques and how they are applied to wide range of analytical and experimental situations.

The module is based on a typical engineering undergraduate course but the engineering skills covered are directly important for mining and renewable energy fields.

Some of the content of the module may be useful for civil engineering based discipline.

Prerequisite module: CSM1257 or equivalent

 

The aim of this course is to  expand on the basic principles of the Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics module, particularly with respect to fluid flow, and help you appreciate the relevance of these principles to real life situations such as flow in pipelines and the design of pump and hydraulic systems.
 

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1 understand the principles of fluid flow, in particular laminar and turbulent flow regimes;
2 comprehend dimensional analysis and be able to use dimensionless ratios to form relationships between fluid properties after experimentation;
3 appreciate the principles of fluid machinery, in particular pumps, turbines and hydraulic circuits and be able to design simple machinery systems;
4 apply the above principles in order to perform calculations and solve problems relating to the theory;
5 predict and compare aspects of the theory of fluid flow with observed data obtained through a laboratory session;
6 use computer software to model fluid flow and use computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
7 utilise a wide range of academic skills in data acquisition (through the use of equipment), interpretation (through calculation) and communication of results.
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
8 select appropriate data from a range of sources and develop research strategies;
9 identify key areas of problems and choose appropriate tools/methods for their resolution in a considered manner;
10 manage learning using resources for the discipline; an ability to develop working relationships of a professional nature within the discipline.

- dimensions, units and the concept of dimensionless ratios;

- identifying dimensionless ratios using Rayleigh and Buckingham p methods, hydraulic similarity and the testing of models;

- review of key principles: continuity and Bernoulli's equations, dynamic and kinematic viscosity, Reynolds experiment, laminar and turbulent flow regimes and Reynolds number;

- laminar flow in pipes: pressure drop during laminar flow, Poiseulle's equation, development of laminar flow in pipes, relationship between average and maximum velocities;

- turbulent flow in horizontal pipes: friction factor and use of Moody diagram, pressure losses in pipes due to friction, Darcy's law in pressure and head form; 

- frictional pressures losses during flow in non-horizontal pipes and pipes of varying diameters. minor losses in pipes due to expansions & contractions;

- flow in pipelines between reservoirs: relationship between losses and head, branching pipelines and parallel pipelines;

- open channel flow: definition of wetted perimeter, hydraulic mean depth, hydraulic gradient, Chezy and Mannings equations for discharge, solving discharge equation for depth of flow, channel proportions for maximum discharge;

- pumps and pumping: types of rotadynamic pumps, pump efficiency, derivation of pump affinity laws, pump characteristic curves, losses in rising mains, pump performance in series and parallel;

- turbines: types of turbine and applications;

- practical laboratory exercises: pressure drop in pipes;

- CFD using SolidWorks;

- determination of hydraulic loss: simulation of flow patterns and hydraulic loss in a valve;

- cylinder drag coefficient: flow simulation around a cylindrical object;

- mesh optimisation: investigation of meshing for flow simulation;

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=498
 
Web based and electronic resources:
http://www.solidsolutions.co.uk
https://forum.solidworks.com/community/solidworks

Reading list for this module: