Print this page Basic Fundamentals of Fluid Flow
A. Bhatia, B.E.
Course Outline
If fluid flow is
not understood, how can it be measured or controlled?" This course provides
theoretical and practical context to all those who wish to understand fluid
flow. It offers a clear explanation of the fundamentals and then links them
to entire fluid systems.
This 3-hr course material is based entirely on US Department of Energy training
materials DOE-HDBK-1012/3-92, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Flow,
Volume 3 of 3.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to
enhance the understanding of the course materials.
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand the basic principles governing fluid flows;
- Understand how flow rates are defined and how to relate volume, mass, and weight based flow rates;
- Understand the Equation of Continuity and know how to apply it to various types of flow;
- Describe the characteristics and flow velocity profiles of laminar flow and turbulent flow;
- Describe the relationship between Reynolds number and the degree of turbulence of flow;
- Describe the relationship between Bernoulli's equation and the first law of thermodynamics;
- Explain the energy conservations that take place in a fluid system between the velocity, elevation and pressure heads;
- Calculate the head loss in a fluid system due to friction losses using Darcy's equation;
- Describe two phase flow including such phenomenon as bubbly, slug and annular flow; and
- Calculate the
new volumetric flow rate, head or power using the pump laws.
This course is aimed at students, mechanical and process engineers, HVAC and facility designers, contractors, estimators, energy auditors, plant layout professionals and general audience.
Course Introduction
Fluid mechanics
is the science of the mechanics of liquids and gases. It involves many of the
same principles of solid static's and dynamics, but fluids is a more complex
subject because solids involve the study of forces on discrete bodies, while
in fluids bodies flow together.
In this course, you are required to study the following DOE-HDBK-1012/3-92,
Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Flow, Volume 3 of 3.
Course
Content
This course is based entirely on US Department of Energy training materials (US Department of Energy training materials DOE-HDBK-1012/3-92, Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, and Fluid Flow, Volume 3 of 3).
The link to the document is Basic Fundamentals of Fluid Flow.
Course Summary
In a fluid, the
molecules tend to be farther apart, and the cohesive forces are not great enough
to hold it together. Thus, a fluid flows when a force is applied. There are
two major types of fluids to consider, liquids and gases...the molecules of
a gas are much farther apart than a liquid, making a gas compressible, while
a liquid is relatively incompressible.
An ideal fluid has no viscosity, while a real fluid has a measurable viscosity
and develops shear stresses within the fluid and at solid-fluid interfaces.
Fluids can be classified as incompressible or compressible.
Fluid flow can be classified as steady or unsteady with respect to time.
Fluid flow can be classified as laminar or turbulent.
In order for a fluid to flow from one point to another, there must be a difference
in pressure between the two points to cause the flow. With no pressure difference,
no flow will occur.
Fluid flow through pipes or tubing is governed by the pressure exerted on the
fluid, the effect of gravity due to the vertical rise or fall of the pipe, restrictions
in the pipe resisting flow, and the resistance of the fluid itself to flow.
As fluid flows through tubing, the contact of the fluid and the walls of the
tube create friction, and therefore resistance to flow. Sharp bends in the tubing,
valves and fittings, and other obstructions also create resistance to flow,
so the basic design of the piping system will determine the pressure required
to obtain a given flow rate.
In a closed system containing tubing through which a fluid is flowing, the pressure
difference between two given points will be determined by the velocity, viscosity,
and the density of fluid flowing. If the flow is increased, the pressure difference
will increase since more friction will be created by the increased velocity
of the fluid. This pressure difference is termed pressure loss or pressure drop.
Since control of evaporating and condensing pressures is critical in mechanical
refrigeration work, pressure drop through connecting lines can greatly affect
the performance of the system, and large pressure drops must be avoided.
In general understanding of fluid mechanics is one of the most important aspects
in process, building and engineering distribution systems.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
