ME 2102

Thermofluid Mechanics Sessional

Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
2nd Year 2nd Semester
Name of the Experiments:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)

Determination of heating Value of Coal by Bomb Calorimeter

Study of Mini Steam Power Plant
Study of 2-stroke (SI) and 4-stroke (CI) cycle engines
Verification of Bernoullis Equation
Study of Flow Through a Venturimeter and Orificemeter
Performance Test of Pelton Wheel

Report must include the following topics:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Objective(s) of the Experiment

Apparatus with their Specifications
Schematic Diagram of the Experimental Set-up
Data Sheet
Calculation, Graph and Result
Discussion and Conclusion

Instructions to the Students

1. Read the instructions regarding the relevant experiment thoroughly before entering the lab
2. Bring the following
a) Offset papers (A4 Size): 3 to 5 sheets
b) Graph paper (mm and log-log): 3 to 4 sheets
c) Pen, Pencil, Eraser, Sharpener, Scale etc
d) Scientific Calculator
3. The following jobs are to be accomplished within the Lab session:
a) Performing the experiment
b) Preparing the Data Sheet accompanied by sample calculation (one observation)
c) Drawing the Graph (if any)
NOTE:
a) Report of the experiment must be submitted in the next class
b) Viva for each experiment will be taken on the next day with the report
c) A quiz will be taken on the experiments at the end of the semester
Course Teacher
A.N.M. Mominul Islam Mukut,
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering
Md. Mahiuddin
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

2. Performance Test of a Pelton Wheel

Objectives:
a) To determine the efficiency of Pelton Wheel at different speeds
b) To plot N, Vs, Pm, Q and curves
Theory: Mechanical power Pm = Torque x Angular Velocity
= T (Watt)
Where,

T = Force x Radius (Nm)

2N
=
60

Water power Pw = gHQ

Where,

= Density of water, 1000 kg/m3

g = Acceleration due to gravity, 9.81 m/s2
H = Inlet Head (m)
Q = Flow rate m3/sec

MechanicalPower

Efficiency, HydraulicPower 100%

Apparatus Required:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Hydraulic Bench
Pelton Wheel
Electronic Revolution Counter
Stop Watch
Vernier Slide calipers

Experimental Setup:

Fig: Hydraulic bench setup for Pelton impulse turbine experiment

Experimental Procedure:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Lift the band brake assembly until it is clear to the brake drum
Put the switch on of the bench pump
Open bench control valve fully
Adjust spear control valve until the maximum rpm is indicated on the electronic Revolution
Counter provided
Note rpm, flow rate inlet pressure
Lower band brake assembly over brake drum and adjust the brake drum and band brake unit
a convenient reading i.e. is indicated on the right hand spring balance
Tabulate readings of spring balance loads, flow rate inlet head etc.
Repeat the observation for different applied loads
Take average value of the three readings for one observation. Take at least 7 observations for
your experiment

Experimental Data:
Table No. 1: Experimental data for analyzing the operating characteristics of a Pelton Wheel
Sl

rpm

rad/s

F1 F2 (F1 Drum Torque

- radius
F2)
N N N
m
Nm

Pm

Volum
e

Time

Flow
rate

Pressur
e

Pw

Effien
cy

Watt

m3

sec

m3/s

m H2O

Watt

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Calculations: Present sample calculation
Result: Present the result
Discussion: Discuss the result you have obtained during your experiment
Conclusion: Conclude the result you have obtained during your experiment

4. Verification of Bernoullis Equation

Objectives:
a) To plot the HGL and EGL on graph paper
b) To calculate the head loss in each probe position
Experimental Data Sheet:
Observation

Volume of

Time of water

No.
01
02
03
04

water collected

collected

Flow rate (m3/sec)

Calculation Sheet:
Obs.

Probe

Dia. of

Cross

Velocity

No.

position

cross

sectional

section

area, A

Q
V=
A

(m2)

m/s

Velocity

Pressure

Head,
V2
2g

Head,
+Z

Total

Total

Head

Head by
pitot
tube

01
02
03
04
05
06

Bernoullis Theorem Demonstration Apparatus:

Fig: INSTALLATION DRAWING FOR BERNOULLI APPARATUS

The best section (5) is an accurately machined perspex duct of varying circular cross section provided
with pressure tapings whereby the static pressures may be measured simultaneously at each of 6 sections.
The test section incorporates unions (2) at either end to facilitate reversal for convergent or divergent
testing.
A hypodermic (7) is provided which may be positioned to read the total head at any section of the duct.
The probe may be moved after slackening the gland nut (6); this nut should be re-tightened by hand. To

prevent damage, the probe should be fully inserted during transport/storage. An additional tapping (13) is
provided to facilitate setting up. All eight pressure tapings are connected to a bank of pressurized
manometer tubes (3). Pressurization of the manometers is facilitated by removing the hand pump (10)
from its storage location at the rear of the manometer board and connecting its flexible coupling to the
inlet valve (4) on the manometer manifold.
Hydraulic bench and accessories
Bernoullis Theorem demonstration apparatus
Equipment Setup:
1. Hydraulics Bench
2. Bernoullis Theorem demonstration apparatus
3. Stop Watch

Summary of Theory:
Considering flow at two sections in a pipe, Bernoullis equation may be written as
2

U1
P
U
P
1 Z1 2 2 Z 2 ;
2g g
2g
g

For this apparatus Z1=Z2 and P= gh

Hence if Bernoullis Theorem is obeyed:

H=

U2
h ; and is constant at all sections along the duct.
2g

Experimental Procedure:
By using the adjustable feet, the apparatus is leveled on the Hydraulics Bench. After injection a small
amount of wetting agent into the test section has the duct converging in the direction of flow. To reverse
the test section, the total head probe must be withdrawn before releasing the couplings.
Carefully fill the apparatus manometer tubes with water to discharge all pockets of air from the system
and ensure all connecting pipes are free from air. By adjustment of the feed water and flow control valve,
the levels can be raised or lowered as required. For finite lowering of the levels, the hand pump is used at
the air inlet to raise the air pressure above the liquid columns. Carefully adjust the inlet feed and the flow
control valves to provide the combination of flow rate and system pressure which will give the largest
convenient difference between the highest and lowest manometer levels. Note the scale reading of each
manometer level. Take at least three sets of readings of volume and time to find the flow rate using the
volumetric tank.
Insert the probe to the end of the parallel position of the duct, then move it into the tapered portion 1 on
at a time. For each position, note the distance from the end of the parallel portion, record the scale
reading of its manometer level.

Repeat this to give high and low flow rates at both high and low static pressures for different
combinations of valve openings.
Stop the inlet feed, drain off the apparatus, withdraw the probe (full length), undo the couplings, reverse
the test sections and replace the couplings.
Repeat the above procedure.
NOTE: Equivalent static pressures in the convergent and divergent configurations can be set up using
the remote tapping at the flow control valve.
Results and Calculations:
Tube No

1
2
3
4
5
6

Dia. of

Area of

Manometer

Flow

Probe

Probe

Fluid

cross

cross

Levels

rate,

Distance

Manometer

Velocity

section

section
mm2

mm
10.0
10.6
11.3
12.4
14.6
25.0

Q
mm

m3/sec

Level
mm

mm

m/s

For each valve setting, determine the fluid velocity at each taping position. Determine theoretical
velocity head at each taping position. Add theoretical velocity head to the measured static head to
determine a theoretical total head. Do these computed heads agree with the total head probe? If they
differ, what are the reasons?
Comment on the validity of Bernoullis Equation for the system tested for a) Convergent flow b)
Divergent flow.
Note: The taping positions in the test section have been selected to generate uniform changes in static
pressure and result in a nominal straight line on the six relevant manometer tubes. The manometer bank
does not indicate the true profile of static pressure along the test section.

5. Study of Flow through a Venturimeter and Orificemeter

Objectives:
a) To calculate mean coefficient of discharge
b) To plot head (H) versus actual flow rate (Qa)
Data Sheet:
No of

Manometer Reading

obs.

Left

Orifice
Right

Net

column

column

def.

Ventury
Right

Net

column column

def.

Left

Hmo

Hmv

(m)

(m)

Volume

Time of

Flow

of

water

rate

water

collected

collected
(m3)

(sec)

m3/sec

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Calculation Sheet:
No of

Actual

obs

flow
rate

Manometric def. Hm
Orifice

Hm

Ventury Orifice Ventury

Coefficient of

Mean Cd

discharge, Cd
Orifice Ventury Orifice Ventury

m3/s
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Flow meter Demonstration Apparatus:
The apparatus should be positioned on the side channels of the bench top channel.
Inlet pipe (9) should be connected to the bench outlet and outlet pipe (1), positioned in the volumetric
tank.
The venturimeter (7), variable area meter (5) and orifice plate (3) are installed in a series configuration to
permit direct comparison. Flow control valve (2), permits variation of the flow rate through the circuit
and adjustment in conjunction with bench control valve allows system static pressure to be varied.
Pressure tapings, (8) in the circuit are connected to an eight-bank manometer (6), which incorporates an
air inlet/outlet valve (4) in the top manifold with facilities for connection of a hand pump (10). This
enables the levels in the manometer bank to be adjusted to a convenient level to suit the system static
pressure.

Equipment Setup:
1) Hydraulics Bench
2) Flowmeter Demonstration Apparatus
3) Stop Watch
Theory:
For the venturimeter and Orificemeter plate, the basic Bernoullis equation reduces to:

A2
Q C d A2 1

A1

1
2

P P2
2 g 1

1
2

Cd values assumed to be: Cd = 0.98 for the venturimeter

Cd = 0.63 for the Orificemeter
Experimental Procedure:
Place apparatus on bench, connect inlet pipe to bench supply and outlet pipe into volumetric tank. Open
bench valve fully, open flow control valve. To disperse air from Orifice plate, open and close flow
control valve, close flow control valve, open air bleed screw and prime manometer and tapings. Close air
bleed screw.
The manometers levels can be raised or lowered accordingly by the air bleed screw or hand pump. Open
flow control valve fully whilst retaining maximum readings on manometers. Note readings on
manometers, variable area meter and measured flow rates. Repeat at different valve positions. To
demonstrate similar flow rates at different system static pressures adjust bench and flow control valve
together, adjusting manometer levels as required.
Results and Calculations:
Manometer Readings

Variable

Vol 1

Time

Area

rate

Meter

Q
sec

Flow

m3/s

From the manometer, obtain the following: Venturi reading Mano. 1 Mano. 2; Loss in Venturi Mano. 1
Mano. 3; Loss in variable area meter Mano. 4 Mano. 5; Orifice plate reading mano. 6 Mano. 7;
Loss in Orifice plate Mano. 7 Mano 8. These quantities are shown diagrammatically above.
From the readings obtained on the venturi and Orifice plate calculate the volume flow rate using the basic
equation with relevent Cd factor.
Compare these calculated values with the reading on the variable area meter and the volume flow rate
determined, using the Hydraulics Bench facility.

Compare the losses in each of the meters in relation to the volume flow rate. (Note that the loss in the
venturi and orifice plate may be related to the velocity head,

U2
).
2g

Technical Data:
For Venturi:

For Orifice Plate:

Upstream pipe dia.

31.75 mm

Hence A1

7.92 x 10-4 m2

Throat dia.

15 mm

Hence A2

1.77 x 10-4 m2

Upstream taper

21 inclusive

Downstream taper

14 inclusive

Upstream pipe dia.

31.75 mm

Hence A1

7.92 x 10-4 m2

Orifice diameter

20 mm

Hence A2

3.14 x 10-4 m2