Fluid Mechanics Lab

Lab. Director : Dr. Abdelsalam Al-Sarkhi

Email:alsarkhi@kfupm.edu.sa

Lab. Engineer: Bahaa Ibrahim

Location: Building: 1 – Room: 157 

Phone-:013-860-2183



Introduction to the lab

 

The Fluid Mechanics laboratory provides a "hands on" environment that is crucial for developing students understanding of theoretical concepts.

The laboratory contains equipments for the measurement of various fluid properties and flow characteristics. Facilities are available for investigating the fundamentals of fluid statics as well as kinematics and kinetics of fluid flow to enhance the hands-on experience of our students. The lab is equipped with test rigs for experiments pertinent to fluid mechanics, pumping machinery, and fluid power systems. These include viscometers, various types of pumps, turbines, compressors, a fluid power training kit, a fluid friction in pipes and fittings test rig, etc. The lab is also equipped with a 52-inch video-projection system with video tapes available related to fluid mechanics, compressible fluid flow, and turbomachinery.

In addition to the experiments designed for the undergraduate students, the lab also provides an excellent environment for industry- driven research projects and many of them have been conducted in this laboratory.

Courses Supported are : 

  • ME 311 – Fluid Mechanics
  • ME 316 – Thermofluids Lab.
  • ME 436 – Fluid Power Systems.
  • ME 438 – Pumping Machinery. 

 Experiments setup currently used in teaching :

  • Exp.1: Fluid Flow Measurements.
  • Exp.2: Friction Losses in Piping systems.
  • Exp.3: Pump Performance Measurements.
  • Exp.4: Compressible Flow in a Convergent-Divergent Nozzle.
  • Exp.5: Centrifugal Air Compressor.
  • Exp.6: Pelton Impulse Turbine. 

Other Additional Equipments :

The fluid mechanics lab contains many other equipments e.g.:

  •   Hyraulic  Power Training Unit
  •   Stormer Viscometer
  •   Impact of a jet apparatus
  •   Flow through nozzles apparatus
  •   Dead weight Tester for calibration of pressure gauges.
  •   Osborne Reynolds' Apparatus

On-going Research Projects :

  • Research projects currently conducting in the lab.:
  • Air Lift Pump.
  • Leak detection in underground pipes.
  • Oil-water emulsion
  • Electrical submersible pump 

 

 Experiments setup currently used in teaching

  • Fluid Flow Measurements 

The TecQuipment Flow measurements apparatus shows the typical methods of measuring the flow of an incompressible fluid (water).It also shows applications of Bernoulli's equation.

Students measure flow using a Venturi meter, an orifice plate meter and a rotameter.

They also find and compare the head losses associated with each meter.

  • Friction Losses In Piping Systems.


The TecQuipment  losses in piping systems apparatus comprises a vertical panel with two circuits .Each circuits  includes pipe system components. A comprehensive range of investigations can be conducted suchas losses in a variety of pipes and pipe system components.

  • ​Pump Performance Measurements

 
The Armfield Multi-Pump Test Rig has been designed to demonstrate the principal operating            characteristics (head –flow curves and efficiency) of a series of different types of pumps. It is equipped with four pumps:- Centrifugal pump ,Gear pump , axial flow pump, and a turbine pump .

  • Compressible Flow In A Convergent Divergent Nozzle

 This  Plint &Partners Flow nozzle apparatus demonstrates the thermodynamics of the adiabatic expansion of air through subsonic and supersonic nozzles. 

  • Centrifugal Air Compressor


The Armfield Compressible Flow Bench is an experimental test rig that is equipped with a multi-stage centrifugal compressor driven by a variable-speed motor. Besides the capabilities of studying the compressor performance characteristics, the apparatus is provided with several attachments for investigating flow in an orifice, friction losses in bends, friction losses in compressible pipe flow and flow in sudden pipe enlargements.

  • Pelton Impulse turbine

This TecQuipment model of Pelton Turbine shows students how an impulse(Pelton)turbine works and tests its performance. Students adjust the spear valve and measure inlet pressure, flow rate , torque and speed using a stroboscope .they plot these values to find the turbine performance. 

Additional Equipments

  • Hydraulic Power Training Unit


Through this unit the students will get a hands-on experience on the essential components of any hydraulic system e.g. hydraulic cylinders, directional control valves, pressure relief valves, etc.

  • Stormer viscometer


The Thomas Stormer Viscometer with its various accessories can be employed for determining viscosities of a great variety of liquids.

  • Impact of a Jet

The TecQuipment Impact of a Jet Apparatus allows students to investigate how jet deflection produces a force on turbine vanes and how this force affects the rate of momentum flow in the jet.

  • Flow through an orifice

Flow through an orifice allow the student to measure the decrease in flow , contraction of the stream and energy loss. They can also use this apparatus to study different shapes of orifice.

  • Dead weight Tester

 This Dead Weight Tester allows students understand the function, operation and calibration of a bourdon tube pressure gauge.

  • ​Osborne Reynolds' Apparatus

The Osborne Reynolds' Apparatus is used for the demonstration of transition Reynolds number and turbulent flow.

Hydraulic Flowmeter Trainer ( Gunt HM 500 ).

The HM 500 Flow Meter Trainer makes it possible to impart comprehensive knowledge regarding the application and special features of numerous industrial flow measurement processes. The flow meters used employ state-of-the-art industrial measurement techniques, thus illustrating not only the physical and technological principles, but also the current standard of modern equipment.


SUBSONIC WIND TUNNEL  (TQ -AF100)

A compact, practical open-circuit suction wind tunnel for studying aerodynamics. It offers a wide variety of experiments. The wind tunnel gives accurate results and is suitable for undergraduate study and research projects. It has a comprehensive range of optional models and instrumentation, including a computer-based data acquisition system.



​On –going Research Projects.
 
  • Air-Lift Pump.
Research on airlift pumps concentrates on developing new methods to increase the efficiency of such reliable and simple type of pumps.

Setup of the airlift pump research project

​Leak detection in underground pipes.

This Research proposes a leakage detection method that measures pressure gradients at a leak site, which is more dependable. On-site leakage detection cannot be used in the center of the pipe due to drop-off of the signal, so in this device there is a concentric ring pressure sensor that travels down the pipeline millimeters from the inner pipe surface, which carries electronics and communication devices.

​


Setup of the leak detection research project

Characterization of oil-water emulsion.