MEM 341: FLUID

POWER
TECHNOLOGY

Chapter 2: Principles
of Hydraulics
 Chapter 2: Principles of Hydraulics

2.0 Fluid properties

2.1 Applications of Pascal Law and Continuity
Equation
2.2 Hydraulic circuit analysis using 'Bernoulli
Equation‘
2.3 Frictional losses through pipes and fittings
 Hydraulics Fluid
• In a hydraulic system, liquid is used as the working
fluid, therefore it is also called, hydraulic fluid.
Examples are such as (oil, water, and synthetic-based
• Main function:
❖ Hydraulic fluid (HF) are the medium by which
power is transferred in hydraulics machinery –
transmit power
❖ Lubricating medium to reduce friction between
moving part
❖ Seal clearance between mating part
❖ Dissipate heat
Hydraulics Fluid Properties
• Good lubricity
❖ Reduce friction between two surfaces by placing a layer of
liquid between them.
❖ A properly selected liquid produces a film that separates
the surfaces and allows them to move freely past each other.

• Oxidation resistant
❖ Oxidation is caused by air entrainment (entrapment of air
bubbles) in the fluid and contaminants, such as dirt and
water, which enters the system.
❖ Contact with metals used in the construction of a system will
result in corrosion at the surface of the component.
• Fire resistant
❖ The possibility of fire exist to some extent in many hydraulic
applications
• Fire-resistant fluids using water or synthetic bases are
required when higher fire protection is needed
❖ Although water is readily available and inexpensive, it is not
used alone:
• Poor lubricant
• Promotes rust
• Freezes
• Rapidly evaporates at temperatures within the operating
range of many typical hydraulic systems
• Ideal viscosity
❖ Viscosity is the internal resistance to flow of a liquid.
❖ A liquid with proper viscosity provides a strong film that:
• Provides a seal between parts
• Greatly reduces friction

High viscosity will results in Low viscosity will results in

High resistance to flow, cause sluggish operation. Increased oil leakage past seals.

Increased power consumption, friction loss up. Excessive wear to moving parts

Increased pressure drop through valves and lines.

High temperatures, because friction.

• Good heat transfer capability
❖ Since the main purpose of hydraulic fluids is to transfer
energy from one component to another, hydraulic fluids must
have good heat transfer capability to ensure that the work
efficiency of the component/system is not affected.

• Non-toxicity
❖ Handling of hydraulic fluids requires human interaction.
Therefore it is advisable for hydraulic fluids to be non-toxic
to avoid any unnecessary tragedy from occurring when
handling hydraulic fluids.
Fluid Properties
GAS:
• Fire resistance
• It is not messy
• It can be exhausted back to the atmosphere.
Disadvantages of Gas:
• Corrosive; contain oxygen and water
• Compressible; tend to be sluggish
• A lubricant must be added to air to lubricate valve and
actuators.
 Types of Hydraulics Fluid
1. PETROLEUM BASE

❖ These fluids contain additives to protect the fluid from

oxidation (antioxidant),

❖ To protect system metals from corrosion (anticorrosion),

❖ To reduce tendency of the fluid to foam (foam suppressant),and

❖ To improve viscosity.
2. SYNTHETIC FIRE-RESISTANT FLUID

❖ Non-flammable synthetic liquids have been developed for use

in hydraulic systems where fire hazards exist
3.WATER-BASED FIRE-RESISTANT

❖ The most widely used water-based hydraulic fluids may be

classified as water-glycol mixtures and water-synthetic base
mixtures.

❖ The water-glycol mixture contains additives to protect it from

oxidation, corrosion, and biological growth and to enhance its
load-carrying capacity.
 Handling Hydraulics Fluids
❖ Do not mixed the fluids

❖ Do not expose fluids to high heat

❖ Avoid contact with eyes or skin

❖ Wear protective glove and face shield

 Fluid Properties
1. Specific Weight, γ

2. Specific Gravity, (SG)

3. Density, Ρ

4. Head

5. Atmospheric Pressure

6. Gage and Absolute Pressure

7. Bulk Modulus, β

8. Viscosity (Absolute And Kinematic)

Pascal’s Law
• Pascal’s Law states that pressure acting on a confined fluid is
transmitted equally and undiminished in all direction.

• Pascal’s Law;
The ratio of piston movement in a hydraulic press can be
determined by assuming the fluid is incompressible. Thus the
volume of the fluid displaced by the input piston equals that for
the output piston:

Where:

Thus:
Therefore:

Recall from physics, energy equals to the product of force and

the distance moved by the force. Therefore;
 Example 1: Hydraulic car lift
A hydraulic car lift has a pump
piston with radius r1 = 0.0120 m,
the resultant piston has a radius
of r2 = 0.150 m. The total weight
of the car and plunger is F2 =
2500 kg. If the bottom ends of
the piston and plunger are at the
same height, what input force is
required to stabilize the car and
the output plunger?

Ans: 157 N
Example 2: Hydraulic Press
Example 3: Hydraulic Power Booster

Ans: 10000 N
 Continuity Equation
• The continuity equation states that for steady flow in a
pipeline the mass flow rate (Q) is the same for all cross
sections of the pipe.

• Continuity Equation:

• Assuming:
 Bernoulli’s Equation
• Bernoulli’s equation is one of the most useful relationships
for performing hydraulic circuit analysis.

• Its application allows us to size components such as pumps,

valves, and piping for proper system operation.

Bernoulli’s Equation;
• If we were to take into consideration the frictional losses (hL),
pump power (hp), and/or turbine power (hT) the Bernoulli’s
equation can be re-written by balancing the energy equations.

Energy Equation:

Where:

The pump head (hp) can be calculated using:

Energy Equation
Example 4
Frictional Losses Through Pipes
and Fittings
END