Multi-purpose Teaching Flume

Multi-purpose Teaching Flume has been

specifically designed to demonstrate the principles of
fluid mechanics when applied to engineering structures
in open channel flow. The flume consists of a clear-
sided rectangular working section supported on a frame,
with an inlet tank at one end. The frame is supported on
pedestals, and a jack allows the flume to be tilted.

Parts:

1) Water Tank -
Water exiting
from the channel
discharges into
the molded
channel on top
of the Hydraulics
Bench where it
returns by
gravity to the
sump tank via
the volumetric
measuring tank.
2) Flow meter - to provide a direct reading of the volume flow rate of the water passing through
the working section.
3) Pump
4) Switch Box
5) Inclination Adjustment – The pedestal at the inlet end of the working section is fitted with a
hand-operated jack. This jacking arrangement permits the slope of the channel bed to be
manually adjusted. The jack is operated by a hand wheel.
6) Inlet Element
7) Experimental Section with plate weir - The working section of the channel, which is open at the
top, consists of clear acrylic sides which are sealed to a bed fabricated from painted aluminum
alloy.
 8) Outlet Element

Series/Parallel Pump Test

The series and parallel pump test is system that has been designed for instructional and experimental
use in vocational schools, special colleges and universities. The series and parallel pump test can be
used, for example, to clarify differences between serial and parallel operation of two pumps. The test
stand includes two identical centrifugal pumps that are driven by speed-controlled DC shunt motors.
The speed of the motors is clearly shown on the switch box, together with the current and voltage. The
motors are suspended. The driving torque is determined with a torque wrench. The pressure is
measured on the intake and delivery side of the pump with manometers. The flow rate in the system is
displayed by a water meter. It can also be determined by measuring the differential pressure at a
nozzle or orifice.
 Impact of Jet Apparatus

Impact of jet apparatus is an apparatus to allow students to investigate the forces produced by a water
jet striking a flat or a curved surface. It is used in the laboratory to demonstrate the way in which fluid
force is being used to generate a force that can turn a turbine; that is converting the kinetic energy in a
flowing fluid from a nozzle to a rotary motion of the turbine with the help of vanes fitted o shaft of the
turbine. The jet is directed to vane of turbine wheel that is rotated by the force generates due to
change of momentum of the fluid according to Newton’s second law of motion.
The principle is used in designing impulse turbine; part of the fluid energy is transformed to kinetic
energy in a nozzle that issues a jet of fluid at high speed. Impulse turbine has been constructed to
generate power up to 100-megawatt or more with efficiencies greater than 85%.
In the impact of jet apparatus, a jet of water issuing from a nozzle strikes a target. The force generated
equals the rate of change of the linear momentum particulars from the jet.
To perform experiments, students level the apparatus and zero the weigh beam assembly. They set
the flow from the hydraulic bench to maximum, and measure the jet force. They reduce the flow from
the hydraulic bench in several increments. At each increment they record the force of the jet on the
plate and the flow rate. They then repeat the experiments for different test plates. Students compare
their experimental results to those calculated from theory, working out graphs of rate of delivery of
momentum against force on the plate.

Hydrostatic
Pressure
Apparatus

The Hydrostatic
Pressure Apparatus
allows students to
investigate the effect of
hydrostatic pressure on
an effective area via a
tilting transparent tank.
The volume and thus
the weight of the liquid
can be determined from
tilt and volume
scales. The balancing
lever arm helps
determine center of
pressure.

Parts:
A fabricated quadrant is mounted on a balance arm which pivots on knife edges. The knife edges
coincide with the center of arc of the quadrant. Thus, of the hydrostatic forces acting on the quadrant
when immersed in water, only the force on the rectangular end face gives rise to a moment about the
knife edges (forces on the curved surfaces resolve through the pivot and have no effect on the
moment). This moment is counteracted by variable weights at a fixed distance from the pivot allowing
the magnitude and position of the hydrostatic force to be determined for different water depths. The
quadrant can be operated with the vertical end face partially or fully submerged, allowing the
difference in theory to be investigated. The balance arm incorporates a weight hanger for the weights
supplied and an adjustable counterbalance weight to ensure that the balance arm is horizontal before
immersing the quadrant in water. The assembled balance arm is mounted on top of a clear acrylic tank
which may be leveled by adjusting three screwed feet. Correct alignment is indicated on a circular
spirit level mounted on the base of the tank. A level indicator attached to the side of the tank shows
when the balance arm is horizontal. Water is admitted to the top of the tank by a flexible tube and may
be drained through a cock in the side of the tank. The water level is indicated on a scale on the side of
the quadrant. The balance arm incorporates two locating dowels and a clamping screw for securing
the quadrant in the correct position on the arm. The arm pivots on top of the flotation tank via
machined knife edges. The balance arm incorporates a locating groove to ensure that the weight
hanger is correctly positioned relative to the pivot. Rotation of the counterbalance weight allows it to
be moved relative to the pivot, allowing the assembled balance arm to be leveled before immersing
the quadrant in water.
 Reynolds’ Apparatus

Inventor:

Reynolds’ Apparatus was named after Osborne Reynolds, born in Belfast on August 23rd, 1842. His
experiments on the origins of turbulence, the scaling of estuary models and the determination of the
mechanical equivalent of heat remain classics of their kind. One is frequently reminded of the
importance of his work in fluid mechanics and heat transfer by the widespread use of terms such as
the Reynolds Number, Reynolds equations, Reynolds stresses and Reynolds Analogy. His study of
turbulent transition in pipe flow `An experimental investigation of the circumstances which determine
whether the motion of water shall be direct or sinuous and of the law of resistance in parallel channels'
was one of the many highlights of Reynolds' research. The original Reynolds Tank experiment, which
is still in use at Manchester University for demonstrating this key aspect of fluid mechanics to
students, is no less than an object of pilgrimage for visitors.

Reynolds’ Apparatus is designed for determining the Reynolds’ number. The apparatus consists of a
glass tube with one end having bell mouth entrance; connected to a constant heat water tank, at the
other end a valve is provided to vary the flow rate. The tank is of sufficient capacity to store water; a
capillary tube is introduced centrally in the bell mouth for feeding dye from a small container placed at
the top of tank, through polythene tubing. By varying the rate of flow, the Reynolds number (Re) is
changed; this also changes the type of flow. Visual observation of dye (Thread) will indicate the type of
flow, which can be confirmed from the Reynolds number computed. Present set-up is self-contained
water re-circulating unit, provided with a sump tank and a centrifugal pump. Flow control valve and by-
pass valve are fitted in water line. Flow rate of water is measured with the help of measuring cylinder
and stop watch.