Fluid Mechanics & Thermodynamics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

Note that MAST20029 Engineering Mathematics may also be taken concurrently.

This subject concerns the fundamental science of fluid flow and thermodynamics relevant to a range of engineering applications. Topics covered include: Heat and work: properties of pure substances, representation of properties; change of phase, steam and air tables and vapour equation of state; ideal gases, ideal non-flow and flow processes; laws of thermodynamics; Carnot's principle; Clausius inequality; direct and reversed heat engines; thermal efficiencies; Fluid statics, manometry, stability of floating bodies; derivation of the continuity equation, mechanical energy balance, friction losses in a straight pipe, Newton’s law of viscosity, Fanning friction factor, treatment of roughness, valves and fittings; simple network problems; compressible flow, propagation of pressure wave, isothermal and adiabatic flow equations in a pipe, choked flow; Pumps-pump characteristics, centrifugal pumps, derivation of theoretical head, head losses leading to the actual pump head curve, calculating system head, determining the operating point of a pumping system, throttling for flow control, cavitation and NPSH, affinity laws and pump scale-up, introduction to positive displacement pumps; stirred tanks- radial, axial and tangential flow, type of agitators, vortex elimination, the standard tank configuration, power number and power curve, dynamic and geometric similarity in scale-up; Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids, Multi-dimensional fluid flow- momentum flux, development of multi-dimensional equations of continuity and for momentum transfer, Navier-Stokes equations, application to tube flow, Couette flow, Stokes flow.

• Apply the principles of force balance in stationary fluids to solve engineering problems;
• Solve mechanical energy balances in one dimensional pipe flow, scale-up pumps and stirred tanks using engineering principles;
• Determine the thermodynamic and physical properties of numerous substances; and
• Apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics to a range of engineering problems.

• Three assignments (practical or written – a maximum 5 pages each in length, not including diagrams, graphs and raw data) - one due around Week 4, one due around Week 8 and one due around Week 12 of the semester (30% of the total mark).
• One end of semester three hour examination (70% of total mark). A mark of 50% or more in the examination is needed to pass the subject.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution;

• Capacity for independent thought;

• Ability to plan work and to use time effectively.