FLUID MECHANICS & THERMODYNAMICS - 2023/4

Module Overview

First year common module in thermo-fluids for MES + Chemical Engineering students.

FLUID MECHANICS: The basic concepts underlying fluid flows and behaviour are described together with simple fluid properties. The calculation of static fluid forces is the starting point before moving to dynamic fluid effects including mass-flow and energy conservation. Non-dimensional analysis methods, laminar and turbulent flows and pipe system analysis are considered, including fluid friction, momentum and energy losses in fittings.

THERMODYNAMICS:  Following an introduction on energy consumption, generation and supply from conventional and alternative sources the basic principles of heat and work transfer are described and system thermal efficiency. Thermal properties of working fluids (both liquids and gases) are described. The 1st law of thermodynamics is introduced with applications to processes and cycles for closed and steady-flow systems.

Module provider

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

Module Leader

GADKARI Siddharth (Chst Chm Eng)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 4

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes:

Fluid Mechanics

Fluid properties (density, viscosity, surface tension)

Hydrostatics (forces on surfaces, submerged bodies, valves, gates etc.)

Buoyancy (stability of submerged and floating bodies)

Fluid kinematics (streamlines and continuity)

Fluid dynamics (Bernoulli’s equation, flow through orifices, Venturi meter)

Momentum equation (impacting jets, forces on pipe bend)

Introduction to viscous laminar & turbulent flow (Re, laminar flow, Poiseuille flow in a pipe, description of turbulent flow characteristics) [10hrs]

Turbulent flow

        Film model and 1/7th power law for time averaged flow in pipes

        Friction factors and pressure gradients in pipes
                    (effect of roughness; Moody chart)

        Hydrodynamic resistance of sudden expansions, valves, bends etc.

        Introduction to boundary layers on a flat plate, including variation of shear stress with distance from leading edge. 

Pumps

            Types of pumps

            Head/flow rate characteristics (esp. centrifugal pumps)

            Pumps in series and parallel  (includes mention of NPSH)

            Simple Pump and pipe-work calculations

 

Dimensional analysis (Buckingham’s Pi theorem)

            Scale models [12hrs]

Thermodynamics

            Introduction to thermodynamics – work & heat transfer

            Energy consumption, generation, alternative sources and system efficiency

            First law  – for closed systems, internal energy. Applications.

            Steady flow energy equation, enthalpy.

            Applications to power plant (pV diagrams)

            Fluid properties, liquids & gases, Cp and Cv  [11hrs]

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate understanding of scientific principles, methodologies and mathematics methods as well as the ability to describe particular systems and processes in the final examination. The Fluids coursework element allows students to demonstrate that they can interpret a problem and present a solution clearly and accurately. The mini-project tests research skills and report writing as well as their ability to record a simple experiment and comment critically on accuracy and methods employed.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

• Fluids coursework      [ Learning outcomes 1, 2 ]                  {15%}


• Thermo mini-project  [ Learning outcomes 3, 5 ]                   {15%}


• Examination               [ Learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 ]         (2 hours)   {70%}

The two pieces of coursework undertaken in this module help students in developing the ability to critically appraise evidence and the appropriate application of this knowledge to ascertain the flow and thermal behaviour of fluids. This helps imbibe  critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills among students.

For the Thermo coursework, the students will be able to work in a group and discuss, but will need to submit an individual assignment. 

Formative assessment and feedback

• Formative verbal feedback is given in tutorials


• Formative Multiple Choice Tests are available on SurreyLearn to give feedback on understanding of simple principles


• Written feedback is given on the coursework assessments including a TurnItIn report on their Thermo mini-project

Module aims

• • an introduction to fluid mechanics and thermodynamics and in particular internal flow behaviour and the principles and methodologies applied to fluid statics, dynamics and 1st law thermodynamics
• • an understanding of the principles of energy generation, conservation, conversion and alternative energy sources

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

introduce thermo-fluid principles through theory with worked examples. This is delivered principally through lectures and tutorial classes and concludes with an independently conducted mini project involving basic experimental procedures.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• 1 hour lecture per week for 11 weeks


• 1 hour tutorial/problem classes for 11 weeks


• 93 hours of independent learning


• Fluids coursework


• Thermo mini project submitted on SurreyLearn

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG1089

Other information

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.