PHYSICS

HOLIDAY
HOMEWORK
Applications Of
Fluid Mechanics
 Fluid Mechanics :-
◦ Fluid mechanics, the branch of science that deals with the study of fluids (liquids and gases) in
a state of rest or motion is an important subject of Civil, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering.
Its various branches are fluid statics, fluid kinematics and fluid dynamics.
◦ A substances that flows is called as fluid. All liquid and gaseous substances are considered to be
fluids. Water, oil, and others are very important in our day-to-day life as they are used for
various applications. For instance water is used for generation of electricity in hydroelectric
power plants and thermal power plants, water is also used as the coolant in nuclear power
plants, oil is used for the lubrication of automobiles etc.
◦ Fluid Mechanics is the branch of science that studies the behavior of fluids when they are in
state of motion or rest. Whether the fluid is at rest or motion, it is subjected to different forces
and different climatic conditions and it behaves in these conditions as per its physical
properties.
 Fluid mechanics deals with three
aspects :-
◦ Fluid statics: The fluid which is in state of rest is called as static
fluid and its study is called as fluid statics.
◦ Fluid kinematics: The fluid which is in state of motion is called as
moving fluid. The study of moving fluid without considering the
effect of external pressures is called as fluid kinematics.
◦ Fluid dynamics: The branch of science which studies the effect of
all pressures including the external pressures on the moving fluid is
called as fluid dynamics.
Applications of Fluids Mechanics :-
 1) Hydroelectric Power Plants

◦ In hydroelectric power plants, water is used to generate electricity on a large-scale basis. Water stored in
the dam possesses potential energy, which is converted into the electrical energy in the power generation
unit of the plant. Hydroelectric power plants are one of the major suppliers of power throughout the
world. In some countries power requirements are fulfilled entirely by these plants.
2) Hydraulic machines

◦ Machines that operate on a fluid like water and oil are called hydraulic machines. The fluid as the
capacity to lift heavy loads and exert extremely high pressures. Some hydraulic machines are used to
perform various machining operations. In most of these machines, oil is used as the fluid. The oil is
passed through the hydraulic motor which transfers large amounts of energy to the fluid. This high
energy fluid enters the piston and cylinder arrangement where it can be used to lift heavy loads or apply
large forces.
3) Automobiles

◦ No automobile can run without fluid. Fluids perform three crucial operations in automobiles: generation
of power, lubrication, and cooling of the engine. Petrol or diesel generates power on combustion in the
engine. This is commonly referred to as fuel. Oil is used for the lubrication of the engine and the gearbox
and also various other moving parts of the vehicle. In larger automobiles like cars, busses and trucks,
water is used for cooling the engine.
4) Refrigerators and Air Conditioners
◦ This is another important area where fluids play a crucial role. In refrigerators and air-conditioners, the
fluids are known as refrigerants. The refrigerant absorbs the heat from whatever is being kept in the
chiller or evaporator, which is at a low temperature, and delivers that heat to the atmosphere, which is at
a high temperature. In air conditioners, the refrigerant absorbs room heat and throws it in to the
atmosphere, thereby keeping the room cool. The entire operation of refrigerators and air-conditioners
depends on the use of a refrigerant.
5) Thermal Power Plants
◦ In thermal power plants, water is used as the working fluid. After getting heated in a boiler, water is
converted into superheated steam which is passes through the blades of turbines, thus rotating them. The
shaft of the turbine rotates in the generator, where electricity is produced. Thermal power plants are one
of the major suppliers of power in various parts of the world, and water working as the fluid is their most
important component.
6) Nuclear power plants
◦ Water is again a crucial power plant component. Here it is both the working fluid and a coolant. In some
nuclear power plants, heat produced within the nuclear reactor is used to directly heat water, which is
converted into steam. This steam is passed through the turbines similar to thermal power plants, rotating
turbine blades to generate power. This is an application of water as the working fluid.
In other nuclear power plants, the heat from nuclear reactors is not used to generate steam directly. Heat
is first used to heat the water, which acts as the coolant. This coolant then transfers the heat to a
secondary coolant or the working fluid, which is again water and it is passed through the turbine to
generate electricity.
7) Fluids as a Renewable Energy
Source
◦ There are number of fluids that are being used as a renewable energy source. Air or wind is one of the
most popular sources of renewable energy. Wind is used for generation of electricity on a small as well as
large scale basis. Water is used in tidal power plants to generate electricity on a small scale basis. Ocean
waves are used to rotate turbine blades within the power generation unit. Biodiesel, a type of the
vegetable oil, is used as a fuel for vehicles along with traditional diesel.
8) Operating Various Instruments

◦ Compressed air is used for the operation of various types of instruments and automatic valves. These
valves can be activated and deactivated by applying the pressure of compressed air. The pneumatic tools
which work on compressed air are used for various applications like grinding, screwing and unscrewing
various machinery parts, etc.
THE END
Thank you for reading the entire PPT
BY- ABHIRAM.CH
11E