SPECIFIC COMPETENCES:

1. Knowledge of the basic principles of physics for the description of fluid flow in ducts by means of: the use of characteristic parameters (dimensional analysis) and the definition of mass, mechanical energy and momentum balances.

2. Application of the fundamental principles of the momentum transport for the design and calculation of ducts: pressure drop, pipe sizing and propelling devices (pumps).

3. Setting out the basic principles of physics to describe the external flow of fluids in situations such as: flow through beds of solids and open-channel flow.

4. Application of the fundamental principles for the design of unitary operations based on momentum transfer: Sedimentation, Filtration, Fluidization, Agitation and Mixing of fluids.



TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCES:

1. The use of ICTs applied to learning at advanced level, and the basic ability to deal with information sources and specific databases of the module topics, as well as office IT applications for oral presentations.

2. The ability to communicate and transmit results, abilities, and other acquired skills either by writing or orally.

3. Resolution of common topic problems from the industrial branch, considering quality and ethics criteria.

1.- Dimensional analysis and similarity. Aims and principles of the dimensional analysis. Dimensional analysis methods: Rayleigh and Buckingham methods. Principles of similarity. Similarity criteria and dimensionless parameters.

2.- Introduction to the flow of fluids. Definition of a fluid. Classification and properties of fluids. Non-Newtonian fluids: Bingham plastics, Power Law Fluids, General plastics. Types of fluids and their characteristics. The concept of viscosity. Perfect or ideal flow and viscous flow. Boundary-layer. Pressure: definitions and measurement. Velocity: definitions and measurement.

3.- Basic equations of fluid flow. Conservation equations of fluid flow. Conservation of mass: Continuity equation. Total energy and mechanical energy conservation: Bernouilli´s equation. Conservation of momentum.

4.- Internal flow. Velocity distribution for laminar and turbulent flow. Friction between solids and fluids. Pressure drop in laminar flow: Poiseuille´s equation. Pressure drop in turbulent flow. Friction factors for smooth and rough pipes. Fanning chart. Minor losses; Characteristic constant and equivalent length. Non-circular section pipes. Calculation of the power required for the fluid. Simple net flow analysis.

5.- Compressible flow. The speed of sound. Adiabatic and isothermal flow. Operation of converging and diverging nozzles. Compressible duct flow with friction.

6.- Fluid flow equipment. Ducts and accessories. Valves. Fixed point velocity measurement. Flow-meters: Diaphragms, nozzles and venturimeters, rotameters, other systems of measurement. Liquid pumping apparatus. Classification. Positive-displacement pumps. Centrifugal pumps: Characteristic curves. Suction lift and cavitation. Gas impulsion: fans, blowers, and compressors. Selection criteria.

7.- External flow. Flow past immersed objects: flat plates, cylindrical objects. Flow over banks of tubes. Flow through beds of solids. Open-channel flow and partially full duct flow.

8.- Settling. Terminal velocity. Batch settling. Free and hindered settling. Continuous settling or thickening. Centrifugal settling. Settling equipment design.

9.- Filtration. Introduction. Constant pressure and constant flow filtration. Compressible and incompressible filter cakes. Filtration equipment design.

10.- Fluidization. Introduction. Minimum and full fluidization velocity. Characteristics and applications of fluidized beds.

11.- Agitation and mixing. Introduction. Equipment for agitation and mixing. Systems with and without impellers. Calculation of the power required for agitation.

- M: Lectures, theoretical classes, 30 hours.

- GA: Tutorials, correcting exercises as a group, 20 hours.

- S: Seminars, collaboratively solving case studies, 5 hours.

- GO: Computer Lab, solving complex problems using computer programs, 5 hours.



Fluid Mechanics (FM) is a mandatory subject for the Chemical Engineering undergraduate degree (IQ) and for the Biotechnology (BT) undergraduate degree. Instruction will be carried out according to:



Lectures (M) are given for a single group that includes all the students enrolled in FM, independent of the undergraduate degree. Tutorials (GA) are given as two separate classes, one for IQ and the other for BT. Seminars (S) and Computer Lab (GO) classes will be divided into groups as well (at least one per degree), depending on the number of enrolled students.

Final evaluation system:Two midterm exams will take place during the school year. Each midterm exam will have a theoretical part and another one of problem solving. If both midterm exams are passed, the student will not be required to attend the final exam. In order to pass each midterm exam, the student must obtain a minimum mark of 5.0/10 overall and at least a 3.5/10 in each section of the exam.



Continuous assessment system: The continuous assessment may take into account the following tasks:

- Correction of exercises, solving of practical cases, and presentation of both exercises and case studies in seminars.

- Carrying out and presenting a maximum of two theoretical assignment, which may require an oral presentation.





Final Evaluation:

If a student wishes not to be evaluated by continuous assessment, he or she must present a document of resignation to the professor in charge of the course within the first 9 weeks of the academic year. In this case, the final written exam will count towards 100% of the final mark. The aforementioned minimum marks in order to pass an exam will still apply.

Basic bibliography

McCabe, W.L. Smith, J.C. y Harriot, P; Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering; Mc Graw Hill, Singapore, 2005.

Levenspiel, O.; Engineering Flow and Heat Exchange; Plenum Press, New York, 1998.

White, F.M.; Fluid Mechanics; Mc Graw Hill, New York, 1979.

Calleja, G., García, F., de Lucas, A., Prats, D., Rodríguez, J.M.; Introducción a la Ingeniería Química; Síntesis, Madrid, 1999. (Spanish)

In-depth bibliography

Coulson, J.M., Richardson, J.F., Backhurst, J.R., and Harker, J.H.; Chemical Engineering; Volume I: Fluid Flow, Heat Transfer and Mass Transfer, Woburn, Ma, 1999.
Coulson, J.M., Richardson, J.F., Backhurst, J.R., and Harker, J.H.; Chemical Engineering; Volume II: Basic Operations, Butterwoth-Heinemann, Woburn, Ma, 1999.
Costa, E. et al.; Ingeniería Química: 3. Flujo de fluidos, Alhambra, Madrid, 1983. (Spanish)