Course syllabus for Fluid mechanics and heat transfer

Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-18 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameStrömnings- och energiteknik
  • CodeLKT341
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerTIKEL
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyChemical Engineering
  • DepartmentSPACE, EARTH AND ENVIRONMENT
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 64134
  • Maximum participants35
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0121 Laboratory 1.5 c
Grading: UG
1.5 c
0221 Examination 6 c
Grading: TH
6 c
  • 30 Maj 2022 pm J
  • 16 Aug 2022 am J

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

LKT320/321 Applied thermodynamics, or equivalent

Aim

The course treats fluid mechanics and heat transfer from a chemical engineers point of view. In fluid mechanics the frictionless flow is extended with the theories behind friction and pressure loss, with emphasis on flow through pipes. Besides knowledge of fundamental phenomena, especially for one-dimensional flow, the topics of flow measurement and pumps will be studied. In heat transfer the different mechanisms for heat transfer will be studied, to some extent addressing problems in the process industry, especially concerning heat losses and heat exchangers.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Set up and solve steady-state fluid mechanics problems for fluids at rest and in motion.
  • Explain in detail and apply basic fluid mechanic equations such as the continuity equation and Bernoulli’s equation.
  • Describe the characteristics of laminar and turbulent flows.
  • Calculate and interpret the Reynolds number for different flows and fluids.
  • Calculate pressure losses in pipes and components.
  • Explain fundamental fluid mechanic concepts such as static and dynamic pressures, viscosity and hydraulic diameter.
  • Explain and describe the principles for measuring flowrates, pressure and viscosity.
  • Explain the operating principles for the main types of pump.
  • Select suitable pump type and capacity for specific applications.
  • Set up and solve steady-state heat transfer problems involving single and multiple heat transfer mechanisms.
  • Explain the basic heat transfer mechanisms that govern conduction, convection (natural and forced) and radiation.
  • Calculate and interpret Nusselt and Prandtl numbers
  • Explain the operating principles for the main types of heat exchanger
  • Calculate temperature profiles for heat exchangers in co- and counter-current arrangement

Content

This course covers fluid mechanics and heat transfer of relevance for chemical engineering applications. In fluid mechanics, frictionless flow theory is first introduced and thereafter extended to include friction and pressure losses in one-dimensional flow cases. Applications in the areas of flow measurement and pumps are also included. The course also covers basic knowledge related to heat transfer mechanisms as well as applications in the areas of heat exchange and heat recovery.The following topics are covered in the course:

  • Fluid mechanics: Continuity equation; Bernoulli’s equation; Viscosity; Laminar and turbulent flow; Reynolds number; Hagen-Poiseuille’s equation; Flow and pressure measurement; Friction factor; Moody diagram; Pressure loss calculations; Pumps; Cavitation.
  • Heat transfer: Fourier's law of heat conduction; Natural and forced convection; Nusselt and Prandtl numbers; Stefan-Boltzmann’s law for radiation; Thermal resistance analogy; Overall heat transfer coefficient; Insulation; Heat exchangers; Fouling. 

Organisation

  • Lectures
  • Calculation exercices
  • Laboratory exercises (compulsory in groups)
  • Quiz which can give bonus points for the written examination

Literature

  • T.L.Bergman / A.S. Lavine / F.P. Incropera / D.P. DeWitt. “Incropera’s Principles of Heat and Mass Transfer, global edition”, 8th edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2017.
  • Eriksson, G.:"Strömningslära - kompendium för kemiingenjörslinjen", Chalmers, 2004.
  • Mörtstedt, S-E & Hellsten, G."Data och diagram", 7th edition, Liber Utbildning, 1999.

Examination including compulsory elements

  • Approved written examination (including quiz bonus points). The examination of the theoretical part is a written exam, with both essay questions and calculation problems. The grade for the written exam is given in the range 3 - 5 and is also the base for the final grade for the course.
  • Approved laboratory reports and presence at the laboratory exercises

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.