CHEE 3363: Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers

Design Project Spring 2011

Due date: Saturday, April 30th, 5pm.

As an expert in fluid mechanics, you consult as a swimming pool designer for a local homebuilder.
Your task is to design a high-quality and cost-advantaged swimming pool for the house shown
below in the Figure. Your customer desires a swimming pool at water temperature 80◦ F; assume
that this water temperature is held constant throughout the system. The pressure loss through the
sand filter is a function of the volumetric flow rate. The customer has requested that all pipes be
made of plastic and that the filter system be located along one of the sides of the house.
Develop a proposal for the design of the swimming pool system with a partner. Your design should
include the pump specifications, the flow rate through the system, the piping layout and size,
fittings, and cost. Your quote should be cost-competitive, as your customer has requested quotes
from ten other companies. Include the total cost that you would charge to the customer for the
entire job in the proposal.

House

40 ft

Pool

50 ft

Figure 1: Diagram of house backyard and pool

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CHEE 3363: Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers

Design Project Spring 2011

Due date: Saturday, April 30th, 5pm.

Metrics for Grading

1. Presentation (10 points)

(a) Coherence and clarity

(b) Organization of report
(c) Graphs and charts labeled properly
(d) Correct use of units

2. Project Goals (25 points)

(a) Statement of assumptions for calculations

(b) Development of equations
(c) Flow calculations
(d) Specification of all system components, including diagram
(e) Discussion of design choices (pipe diameters and placement, etc.)
(f) Itemized costs, including sources for each component

3. Optimization and Accuracy (10 points)

(a) Efficiency and practicality of design

(b) Accuracy of calculations

4. Creativity (5 points)

(a) Did the project have a novel approach, or was it cut-and-paste?