Fluid Power Systems

Chapter 10

Advantages of Fluid Power Systems

Almost

unlimited power can be produced and maintained Easy and complete control (smooth, quick control of energy transfer) A natural springiness that cushions and reduces shock in the system Components can be at a distance with quick power transfer and little power loss

Fluids Exert Pressure

Pressure

is a force acting upon an area Pressure is caused by the amount (weight) of liquid in a container (the column) The more liquid present the more weight (psi)

How Fluids Act

Water

seeks its own level Fluids flow from high pressure to low pressure Flow continues until pressure is equal or balanced Balance happens when the fluid is level

Blaise Pascal
Pressure

applied on a liquid in a container -- the pressure was distributed equally in all directions This pressure is multiplied by increasing the action surface area (sq. in.) (Look at the example on Page 248.)

Liquids Compared to Gasses

Liquids

compress so little they are considered not to compress Gasses compress this becomes the source of pressure in pneumatic systems Robert Boyle If temperature remains constant, increasing the pressure on a gas will reduce its volume. (2 x pressure = volume of gas)

Look at Components
Pages 232 245. Begin with the Symbols.

Pipelines
Ryan Way and Jeremy Ledford

Private Treatment

Sewage is piped out of your home. P-traps are used to block the gases from coming back up from the Septic tank.

Septic Tanks

Sewage from home runs into a septic tank. Made of concrete or steel, solids sink to the bottom (D), scum layer (B) flows out

Drain Fields

Water from septic tanks flows out into perforated pipes buried with gravel, called drain fields.

Urban Wastewater Systems

Sewage

is normally gravity powered. Pipes from houses run into a sewer main (usually 3 5 ft. dia.). The main line flows to larger and larger pipes until it reaches a wastewater treatment plant

Lift Stations

The land layout will not always work for a gravity powered sewer system. In this case a grinder pump or lift station will move the water up or over a hill.

Treatment of Sewage

Once at the plant, the sewage goes through three stages of treatment. 1.) Primary treatment: it acts the same way as a septic tank, the solids sink to the bottom and they are collected for disposal.

Treatment cont

Secondary treatment: large aerated tanks use help from bacteria to eliminate as many of the organic materials and nutrients as possible.

Treatment cont

Tertiary Treatment: chemicals are used to eliminate phosphorus and nitrogen from the water. Any remaining bacteria is killed with chlorine. Water is then discharged. (My hometown plant also used ultra-violet rays on the water before discharging it.)

Water Towers

Simply, a large elevated tank. They provide pressure. A typical tower runs between 50 and 100 PSI (major household appliances require at least 20 to 30 PSI).

Water Towers cont

Usually located on high ground, water towers can hold up to 1 million to 3 million gal. of water! They are sized to hold around a days worth of water for the community served by the tower.

Water Towers cont

Drinking water from wells, rivers, or reservoirs is treated to remove sediment and bacteria. The water is pressurized and sent to the primary feeder pipes.

Natural Gas
First

the gas is cleaned and separated. Oils and hydrocarbons (butane, ethane, and propane) are removed. The gas is then pressurized to reduce the volume and achieve the necessary pressure to move it through the piping.

Natural Gas
Compressor

substations are used to account for the frictional pressure loss. They are usually every 50 to 100 miles. The gas will then be diverted to a city gate where it is sold to the local gas company which in turn sell it to their customers.

Activity

Problem: How many liters of water will the 3 inch PVC pipe hold?

Volume: (radius)^2 X height of cylinder Volume: Base X Height X Depth

Since one liter is 1000 cubic centimeters, and there are 2.54 centimeters to one inch, conversion can be done simply with a calculator. To find liters, divide cubic inches by 61

Answer
(1.5)^2

X 14.25 7.068583471 X 14.25 100.7273145 cubic inches (1.25)^2 X .5 4.908738521 X .5 2.454369261 cubic inches 1.25 X 1.25 X 1.0 1.5625 cubic inches

Answer
104.7441838

cubic inches 104.7441838 / 61 to find liters 1.717117767 liters