COURSE OVERVIEW, OUTCOMES, TEACHING PLAN AND SCHEME OF

EVALUATION
CH202 FLUID AND PARTICLE MECHANICS (4 credits)
Course Overview
Chemical Process Industries involve movement of fluids through pipes, pumps and
different kinds of process Equipment. The role of a Chemical Engineer would be to
design piping system or analyze the existing ones, determine the energy requirements for
operations involving fluids, select a proper fluid moving machine and flow measuring
device.
Fluids are classified as (i) incompressible or compressible based on density and
(ii) Newtonian or non-Newtonian depending on their rheological behavior. Reynolds
number is introduced to distinguish between laminar and turbulent flow. Due to chaotic
nature of turbulent flow, statistical analysis is carried out. The principles of hydrostatic
equilibrium would be applied in separation of immiscible liquids depending on the
density difference, in gravity or centrifugal decanters.
Basic equations of fluid flow viz., continuity equation, equation of motion and Bernoulli
equation (mechanical energy balance) are derived. Equations for velocity profiles of
fluids in laminar and turbulent flow are derived / discussed. Equations for pressure drop
under different flow conditions and in the presence of valves and fittings are derived /
discussed.
Many chemical processes involve fluid solid operations. Equation for pressure drop for
flow of fluids (Ergun Equation) through packed beds is derived. Equation for terminal
velocity for settling of particles in fluid is derived. Fluidization, a unit operation
involving fluid solid interaction is discussed along with its applications, advantages and
disadvantages.
Issues relating to transportation of fluids viz., pipes / tubes their selection and
specification, different types of joints, fittings and valves are discussed. Various types of
fluid moving machinery viz., positive displacement and centrifugal pumps, fans, blower
and compressors, and the energy requirements are discussed. Various flow measuring
devices and their principles are discussed.

Course Outcomes
At the end of the course the student will be able to
CO1
CO2

CO5

Derive dimensionless groups by dimensional analysis.

Solve problems related to manometers and decanters using
the principles of fluid statics.
Determine the pipe size / flow rate / power requirements under
laminar and turbulent flow conditions.
Solve problems involving motion of particles in fluid, fluidsolid
operations in packed beds and fluidized beds.
Select machinery for fluid transportation.

CO6

Determine the flow rate of fluid passing through closed channels.

CO3
CO4

TEACHING PLAN
Sl.N
o
1

Module
Unit Systems

Fluid Statics and its

Applications

Fluid Flow
Phenomena

Basic Equations of
Fluid Flow

Incompressible
Flow In Pipes and
Channels

Topics
Unit systems
Dimensional Analysis: Rayleighs method,
Buckingham -method,
Exercises
Hydrostatic Equilibrium: Gravitational field,
centrifugal field
Applications of Fluid Statics: Continuous gravity
Decanter, Continuous centrifugal decanter
Exercises
Potential flow, Laminar flow, rheological properties
of fluids
Turbulence
Boundary layer
Exercises

No. of
Periods
2
2

Total

1
2
2

2
2
1
1

Equation of continuity
Equation of Motion
Mechanical energy equation: Bernoulli equation

1
2

Macroscopic momentum balances

Exercises

Shear stress and skin friction in pipes

Laminar flow in pipes and channels
Turbulent flow in pipes and channels
Friction from changes in velocity and direction
Exercises

1
2
1
1

Flow of
Compressible
Fluids

Flow Past
Immersed
Bodies

Transportation and
Metering of Fluids

Definitions and basic equations

1
1

Drag and Drag coefficients

Flow through beds of solids
Motion of particles through fluids
Fluidization
Exercises

1
1
2
1

Transportation: Pipe, fittings and valves; Pumps;

Fans, blowers and compressors
Measurement of flowing fluids: Venturi meter,
orifice meter, pitot tube, rotameter, turbine meters,
magnetic meters, ultrasonic meters, thermal
meters
Exercises

4
10

Reading:
1. Warren L. McCabe, Julian C. Smith and Peter Harriott, Unit Operations of
Chemical Engineering, 7th Edition, McGraw Hill, 2005.
2. Coulson J.M and Richardson. J.F, Chemical Engineering, Volume I and II, 5th
Edition, Elsevier India, 2006.
3. De Nevers NH, Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers, McGraw Hill, NY,
2004.
SCHEME OF EVALUATION

Two minor exams (Surprise test / assignment; no reexam for minors)

20 (10 marks each)

Mid exam

30 marks

50 marks

End semester exam

For the tutorial classes students have to bring text book, calculator and graph sheets,
failing which there will be penalty of 10 marks.
TOTAL

100 MARKS

Final Grade will be awarded based on the marks obtained out of 100

Students are welcome to meet the undersigned at office room 805 in the Department.

Dr. A. Venu Vinod

Associate Professor
August 3, 2015