Course syllabus for Fluid mechanics and heat transfer

MVE525 Calculus and LKT320/321 Applied thermodynamics, or equivalent

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.

• 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 common heat exchanger types
• Calculate temperature profiles for heat exchangers in co- and counter-current arrangement

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. 

• Lectures
• Calculation exercices
• 2 compulsory laboratory sessions
• 2 compulsory projects

• 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.

• Approved written examination. Written exam covering theory and calculations. 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 and project reports and presence at the laboratory sessions