EMTS2200 Fluid Mechanics Course description

The course will introduce students to fluid mechanics and thereby give them a basic understanding of calculations needed to address flow problems. Theory will be translated into practical application. Students are expected to acquire basic theory on fluid mechanics and an understanding of how to use this theory in practice in technical contexts. The course forms a basis for understanding the operating principles behind various energy systems, the technical units involved and basic dimensioning of such units. Possible practical applications include dimensioning of components in pipe and cable systems (e.g. radiator systems), pressure loss calculations, emptying of vessels, calculation of forces generated by a water flow.

No requirements over and above the admission requirements.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student can:

• apply the no-slip condition
• classify flows and describe laminar and turbulent flows
• calculate hydrostatic pressure in liquids and corresponding forces on surfaces and buoyancy
• explain different methods of pressure measurement
• visualize a flow field
• use the continuity equation (conservation of mass)
• use Bernoulli's equation, equation for conservation of mechanical energy
• calculate forces associated with flow systems
• analyze flow in pipes, channels, networks. Calculate energy and pressure losses
• measure flow rates and quantities (mass flow, volume flow)
• calculate resistance forces (tensile forces) by external flow (flow along surfaces and around bodies)
• calculate conditions associated with turbomachinery such as pumps and fans

Skills

The student can:

• perform necessary calculations for engineering analysis of fluid engineering problems in practical constructions, including piping systems in buildings and in the rest of nature
• calculate pressure drop through a pipe or duct system and then calculate the required pump or fan power
• calculate forces acting between a fluid at rest and a wall, in order to dimension suspension
• calculate forces acting between a fluid flow and the pipe wall, in order to dimension suspension
• calculate how long it takes to empty a tank
• dimension a simple network of pipes/ducts (e.g. radiator system)
• measure flow rates and volume and mass flow
• calculate flow resistance for solid bodies moving relative to a fluid
• choose the right size of pump in a pipe system

General competence

The student can:

• contribute to the development of new technology based on an understanding of mathematical modeling and the solution of physical problems
• solve coupled problems related to both fluid mechanics, heat and mass transport and thermodynamics
• assess whether calculation results are reasonable and the validity of the mathematical model

The course will introduce students to numerical simulation of heat and fluid mechanics problems encountered in industrial and building technology processes and elsewhere. It aims to enable students to solve complicated three dimensional transient problems relating to e.g. heating and ventilation conditions in buildings using MATLAB and the commercial simulation program STAR CCM+.

Other possible practical applications include dimensioning of components in heat and cooling systems (e.g. heat exchangers), calculation of heating requirements in buildings and analyses of thermal comfort for people.

No requirements over and above the admission requirements.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The student is expected to:

• understand the principles of using programs to address technical problems
• be familiar with the accuracy of computers
• be familiar with the programming language MATLAB
• know about the construction of loops and conditions
• master simple MATLAB programming for implementation of calculation models
• understand the conservation equations for flow, heat and mass transfer
• be familiar with the principles for solving a heat and fluid mechanics problem numerically
• know and understand the finite volume method, which is used for discretisation of equations describing diffusion and advection
• be familiar with the use of staggered and non-staggered grids/meshes
• be familiar with how continuity equations and speed equations can be linked to produce a pressure equation (SIMPLE and SIMPLER algorithms)
• be familiar with the use of source terms to calculate flow and temperature fields
• be familiar with the principles for calculating thermal radiation between solid surfaces
• be familiar with various algorithms for solving system of equations and pertaining stability and convergence requirements
• be familiar with and able to use the commercial simulation programme STAR CCM+

Skills:

The student

• is capable of carrying out necessary numerical calculations for engineering analyses of problems relating to fluid mechanics and heat transfer in real-life structures, including buildings and heat exchangers, and elsewhere
• is capable of defining an adequate range and defining necessary boundary conditions and initial conditions for addressing heat and fluid mechanics problems
• is capable of developing his/her own simple calculation models for implementation in MATLAB
• is capable of using the CFD tool (Computational Fluid Dynamics) STAR-CCM+
• is capable of using numerical methods for heat conduction calculations (one, two or three dimensional, transient), by means of the finite volume (control volume) method
• is capable of describing a transient problem explicitly and implicitly
• is able to calculate external and internal forced and natural convection, deal with boundary layers and draw heat and temperature profiles
• is capable of analysing parallel-flow and counterflow heat exchangers by using logarithmic mean temperature differences.
• is capable of giving an efficient and easily understood presentation of the calculations
• is capable of assessing the quality of the results, i.e. the reasonableness of the data results and program

General competence:

The student has competence in

• contributing to the work on developing new technology on the basis of an understanding of mathematical modelling and solutions to physical problems
• solving interconnected problems linked to heat transfer, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. This will form a basis for calculating the electrical output and energy needs of a building etc.
• assessing whether calculation results are reasonable
• acquiring skills in methods of relevance to the engineers of the future

Lectures, work on computer exercises individually and in groups.

The following required coursework must be approved before a student can take the exam:

• 6 computer exercises
• 2 simulation projects

The purpose of the coursework requirements is to encourage consistent efforts throughout the semester and help the students meet the skills and competence requirements

Individual written exam under supervision, 3 hours.

The exam result can be appealed.