CPE170   Fluid and Particle Mechanics   (15 credits)

Description

Fluid mechanics plays a vital role in any chemical plant. Components flowing through pipes must arrive at the correct rate and pressure. Furthermore, the way fluids move influences heat and mass transfer and the progress of chemical reactions, and so a sound basis in fluid mechanics is a key precursor to the study of heat transfer and reaction engineering. Particles and particle processing are found in a wide variety of industries, such as the pharmaceutical sector. The way the particles interact with surrounding fluid, and with each other, governs key process parameters and behaviours. This unit aims to introduce basic fundamentals of fluid and particle mechanics. It includes the properties of fluids, ideal flow and flow measurement, laminar and turbulent flow, boundary layer development and pipe flow, both with and without particles in fluids. Dimensional analysis will be included for characterising flow regimes. Material is illustrated using problems associated with chemical engineering practice, as well as through formative labs. By taking this course students will: 1. Be introduced to fluid and particle mechanics and thus have their relevance in chemical engineering established. 2. Develop the fundamental principles underlying the momentum transport for both systems with and without particles. 3. Demonstrate how these are used for the design of chemical processes and units.

Reading List