MEng Chemical Engineering

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Process Fluid Flow

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEN10031
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

Topics covered include:

Introductory concepts of fluid mechanics and properties of fluids

Hydrostatics and pressure measurement

Flow in pipes, laminar and turbulent flow, and the Reynolds number

Continuity equations: mass balance, Bernoulli’s equation, and force balance

Applications of Bernoulli’s equations, include pitot tubes, orifice plates, and venturimeters

Pressure drop in pipes and pipe fittings, including the fanning friction factor

Real piping systems and their representation

Types of pumps, and the relation of pump head curves to system curves

Flow in open channels

Aims

The unit aims to:

Introduce the basic concepts of fluids, hydrostatics, pressure and pressure measurements.

Introduce the flow of incompressible Newtonian fluids in pipes including flow measurements and losses in piping systems.

Introduce pumps and their use in piping systems, emphasising practical design calculations.

Introduce flow in open channels.

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to:

ILO1. Describe the main properties of incompressible fluids.

ILO2. Calculate hydrostatic pressure resulting from one or more fluids and use it to analyse pressure measurement systems.

ILO3. Classify the flow regimes in pipes and open channels based on the Reynolds number.

ILO4. Apply mass, energy, and force balances (the Continuity and Bernoulli’s equations) to different flow scenarios in pipes, flow measurement, and open channels.

ILO5. Analyse real piping systems including pressure drop in pipes, systems of pipes, and how to represent pipe systems.

ILO6. Classify pumps according to their principle of operation and select the correct pump characteristics for a given piping system.

Teaching and learning methods

Fundamental aspects supporting the critical learning of the module will be delivered as pre-recorded asynchronous short videos via our virtual learning environment. These will be supported by synchronous sessions with master lecture content, Q&A, and problem-solving sessions where you can apply the new concepts.

Surgery hours are also available for drop-in support.

Students are expected to expand the concepts presented in the session and online by additional reading (suggested in the Online Reading List) in order to consolidate their learning process and further stimulate their interest to the module.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 20%
Written exam 80%

Mid-semester exam-style assessment

Feedback methods

Feedback on problems and examples, feedback on coursework and exams, and support will also be provided through the virtual learning environment. A discussion board provides an opportunity to discuss topics related to the material presented in the module.

Recommended reading

Reading lists are accessible through the Blackboard system linked to the library catalogue.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 32
Lectures 24
Independent study hours
Independent study 44

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Salman Shahid Unit coordinator
Thomas Rodgers Unit coordinator

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