MEng Chemical Engineering with Industrial Experience

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Process Fluid Dynamics

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEN44211
Credit rating 15
Unit level Level 4
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit is divided in three parts.

 

Part 1. Integral analysis and compressible flow: Reynold’s transport theorem for mass, energy and momentum; review of Thermodynamics of gases; stagnation properties and critical conditions in gases; basic equation for one-dimensional compressible flow; isentropic compressible flow in pipes with variation of area in sonic, subsonic, and supersonic conditions; reference stagnation and critical conditions for isentropic flow; isentropic flow in converging nozzles and in converging-diverging nozzles; compressible flow in pipes of constant area with friction; adiabatic flow (Fanno flow); and compressible frictionless flow with heat exchange (Rayleigh flow).

 

Part 2. Non-Newtonian flow: review of differential equations of fluid mechanics including the convective derivative, differential mass balances, differential momentum balances, and stress components in various coordinate systems; classification of non-Newtonian fluids; constitutive equations for inelastic viscous fluids including power-law fluids and Bingham plastics; elementary rheology and non-Newtonian flow calculations.

 

Part 3. Bubble motion and Two-phase flow: Rise of bubbles in unconfined systems; pressure drop and void fraction in horizontal pipes; two phase flow in vertical pipes including the analysis of limits of bubble flow and gas-lift pumps.

 

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Engineering Mathematics 1 CHEN10011 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Process Fluid Flow CHEN10031 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Process Heat Transfer CHEN10092 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Engineering Mathematics 2 CHEN10072 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Momentum, Heat & Mass Transfer CHEN20112 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

The unit aims to:

 

Provide competence with advanced topics of Fluid Mechanics including (a) integral analysis of mass, energy and momentum flow, (b) description of incompressible flow, (c) analysis of fluid flow in Newtonian and non-Newtonian Fluids; and (d) analysis of fluid flow in systems comprising two phases.

 

Learning outcomes

Students will be able to:

ILO:1 Analyse and appraise the differences between differential and integral analysis in fluid mechanics.

ILO: 2 Analyse and quantify the flow of compressible fluids in process equipment and appraise the difference in behaviour with respect to incompressible fluids.

ILO: 3 Evaluate the conditions at which the fluids behave as compressible fluids and evaluate the conditions required for the optimum control of the flow.

ILO: 4 Describe the differences and similitudes of the analysis of compressible flow under (a) isentropic conditions, (b) adiabatic and irreversible (friction) conditions, and (c) isothermal conditions.

ILO: 4 Describe and explain the physics that take place in incompressible fluids flowing through converging and diverging nozzles and diffusers, as well as in pipelines of constant and non-constant areas.

ILO: 5 Apply numerical methods in high-level general-purpose programming languages to describe the flow of gases in pipes.

ILO: 5 Describe and evaluate the differences in behaviour between Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids.

ILO: 6 Appraise the behaviour of the viscosity of non-Newtonian fluids under different shear stresses.

ILO: 7 Formulate simple models to describe the fluid flow of simple generalized Newtonian fluids and formulate the corresponding constitutive equations to describe the flow in different geometries using Navier-Stokes equations under laminar regime.

ILO:7 Describe models to describe the properties for time-independent fluids as well as viscoelastic fluids and formulate constitutive equations for the fluid flow in different geometries.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures: 2 hours per week

 

Tutorial: an hour per week in the EBL suite. There will be 8 tutorial sessions (approximately 7 problems per session)

 

Coursework: one on-line test in Blackboard at the end of the semester that will cover all topics of the semester.

 

Discussion board: A discussion board will be maintained during the semester for discussion of various topics

 

Assessment methods

Assessment Types

Total Weighting

Continuous assessment

30%

Final Exam

70%

Feedback methods

Individual feedback as requested. Unit leader will release generic feedback upon completion of course.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 36
Independent study hours
Independent study 126

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Carlos Avendano Jimenez Unit coordinator

Return to course details