B59EJ2: Mechanical Engineering Sciences 10:

Thermofluids
Outline of
Fluid Mechanics
Dr Yeaw Chu Lee

Structure

Lectures, weeks 1 to 9

Tutorial classes, weeks 1 to 12

Monday, 9.15 in LT3 (usually Thermodynamics)

Tuesday, 9.15 - 11.15 in LT2 (usually Fluid Mechanics)
Thursday, 11.15 in LT3 (usually Thermodynamics)
One of the slots is usually used every other week for a tutorial
To be arranged

Laboratory classes, weeks 9 to 12

One Thermodynamics laboratory

One Fluid Mechanics laboratory

Structure
Assessment

Thermodynamics coursework (10%)

Fluid Mechanics coursework (10%)
Thermodynamics laboratory and brief report (5%)
Fluid Mechanics laboratory and brief report (5%)
One full lab report (10%)
2-hour exam in exam (60%)

The group coursework

Within your group of three to four students complete

the brief and problem of designing a hydropower
scheme as giving on VISION.
Submissions:

Group submission to be submitted to the submission box by

Monday of week 10:
A portfolio, signed by all members of the group containing

A summary of your design

Your calculations
A print-out of your powerpoint presentation (In handout format, 6 slides to
a page)
An assessment of the groups members contribution to the assignment
(very simple in % of contribution)

A group presentation for 5 minutes (4 to 6 slides)

One or more may speak but all group members must be
present
Emailed slides to lecturer (y.c.lee@hw.ac.uk) end of week 9

Fluid Mechanics and Hydropower

Hydropower is one of the oldest forms of extracting

energy from nature to do work or generate electricity

Fluid Mechanics and Hydropower

Over the centuries, Engineering Fluid Mechanics has

evolved based on

Use of simplified forms of the first principles / Conservation laws

Mass
Momentum
Energy

(Continuity equation)
(Newtons 2nd law: Momentum equation)
(First law of thermodynamics: Bernoullis equation)

applied to a Control Volume

Empirical correlations
Identifying important factors
Testing scale models
Transferring the results from tests to other situations

Physical Insight

Reflection and experience of a good engineer

Fluid Mechanics topics

Review and revision

Hydropower

The resource
Hydropower schemes

Hydropower turbines

Continuity, Momentum, Bernoulli

Specific Speed and types of turbines

Eulers turbomachine equation
Comparison of ideal and real turbine
Centrifugal pumps

Designing a hydropower scheme

Overview of the course

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.

Revision of basics
Hydropower resource
Specific Speed
Impulse turbines
Reaction turbines and Eulers turbomachine equation
The velocity triangle for a Francis turbine
Looking at an ideal and a real Francis turbine
The centrifugal pump as a turbine in reverse
Other types of turbines
Designing a hydropower scheme
( continued)

Overview of the course

First principles

Control Volume
Conservation of mass:
the Continuity equation
Conservation of momentum:
Newtons 2nd law:
the Momentum equation
Conservation of energy:
1st law of thermodynamics: Bernoullis equation

Dimensional Analysis

Capacity factor
Efficiency
Specific speed of pumps

Overview of the course

Hydropower resource

Hydrological cycle
Hydraulic power
Assessment of resource

Typical hydropower schemes

Large schemes
Run-of-the-river
Pumped-storage

Overview of the course

Introduction to hydroturbines
Types of turbines

Impulse turbines

Pelton Wheel

Reaction turbines

Francis turbine
Kaplan turbine

Specific Speed of turbines

Dimensional Analysis of a hydro turbine

Efficiency
Specific speed
Comparison with specific speed for pumps

Overview of the course

Impulse turbines

Pelton Wheel

Overview of the course

Reaction turbines
Eulers turbomachine equation

Overview of the course

The velocity triangle of a Francis turbine

Power output from an ideal Francis turbine

Overview of the course

Some real Francis turbines

Overview of the course

Centrifugal pumps

Reverse of Francis turbine

Pump-turbines

Overview of the course

Other types of turbines

Kaplan turbine
Bulb / rim turbine
Wells turbine

Overview of the course

Designing a hydropower scheme

Resource estimation
Reservoir
Penstock
Tailrace
Generator
Specific speed

Overview of the course

Designing a hydropower scheme

Resource estimation
Reservoir
Penstock
Tailrace
Generator
Specific speed

Runner outlet diameter

Blade outlet angle
Runner diameter
Blade inlet angle
Guide vanes

Final appraisal