FMM3701 Practical Answers 2024 – Complete Guide
Module: Fluid Mechanics and Turbo-Machinery (FMM3701)
Institution: University of South Africa (UNISA)
Format: Laboratory Experiments, Problem-Solving, and Data Analysis
SECTION 1: PRACTICAL EXPERIMENT PROCEDURES
LABORATORY REPORT REQUIREMENTS
Each student must submit an individual, typed report for each experiment. Reports
must:
Be written in third person, past tense
Include: Aim, Apparatus, Procedure, Results, Calculations, Discussion, and Conclusion
Follow formatting requirements (A4 paper, consistent fonts, numbered figures/tables)
Be submitted on time; late submissions receive zero marks
EXPERIMENT 1: PIPE FRICTION
Aim: Determine pressure losses in tubes depending on the mass flow
Apparatus
Pipe sections with diameters 34mm, 24mm, and 16mm
Differential pressure manometer
Velocity display with measuring nozzle
Fan for air flow generation
Procedure (Third Person, Past Tense)
, 1. The pipe section with the desired diameter was attached to the measuring nozzle and
intake connection using union nuts. The longer end of the pipe section was connected
to the measuring nozzle as an abatement section.
2. The pressure measuring points were connected to the differential pressure manometer.
For the 34mm pipe, the measuring range was set to 0–25 mbar; for the 24mm and
16mm pipes, the range was set to 0–600 mbar.
3. The fan was switched on, and the desired flow rate was set by adjusting the speed.
4. The velocity (c) from the measuring nozzle and the pressure loss (∆P) were recorded.
5. A new flow rate was set by adjusting the speed, and the measurement was repeated.
6. The series of measurements was repeated for the other pipe diameters.
Data Collection Format
Diameter 34 mm Diameter 24 mm Diameter 16 mm
Velocity (m/s) Velocity (m/s) Velocity (m/s)
∆P (mbar) ∆P (mbar) ∆P (mbar)
Calculations
1. Mass Flow Rate (for each diameter):
o Calculate using the measured velocity and pipe cross-sectional area
o ṁ = ρ × A × c
o Where: ρ = density of air, A = πd²/4, c = velocity
2. Graph: Plot mass flow rate (m) vs. pressure loss (∆P) for all three diameters on the same
axes.
Discussion Points
How does pressure loss vary with pipe diameter?
How does mass flow rate affect pressure loss?
What is the relationship between velocity and pressure drop?
Can you determine the pipe friction factor using the equation: λ = (p₁ – p₂) × ???
Module: Fluid Mechanics and Turbo-Machinery (FMM3701)
Institution: University of South Africa (UNISA)
Format: Laboratory Experiments, Problem-Solving, and Data Analysis
SECTION 1: PRACTICAL EXPERIMENT PROCEDURES
LABORATORY REPORT REQUIREMENTS
Each student must submit an individual, typed report for each experiment. Reports
must:
Be written in third person, past tense
Include: Aim, Apparatus, Procedure, Results, Calculations, Discussion, and Conclusion
Follow formatting requirements (A4 paper, consistent fonts, numbered figures/tables)
Be submitted on time; late submissions receive zero marks
EXPERIMENT 1: PIPE FRICTION
Aim: Determine pressure losses in tubes depending on the mass flow
Apparatus
Pipe sections with diameters 34mm, 24mm, and 16mm
Differential pressure manometer
Velocity display with measuring nozzle
Fan for air flow generation
Procedure (Third Person, Past Tense)
, 1. The pipe section with the desired diameter was attached to the measuring nozzle and
intake connection using union nuts. The longer end of the pipe section was connected
to the measuring nozzle as an abatement section.
2. The pressure measuring points were connected to the differential pressure manometer.
For the 34mm pipe, the measuring range was set to 0–25 mbar; for the 24mm and
16mm pipes, the range was set to 0–600 mbar.
3. The fan was switched on, and the desired flow rate was set by adjusting the speed.
4. The velocity (c) from the measuring nozzle and the pressure loss (∆P) were recorded.
5. A new flow rate was set by adjusting the speed, and the measurement was repeated.
6. The series of measurements was repeated for the other pipe diameters.
Data Collection Format
Diameter 34 mm Diameter 24 mm Diameter 16 mm
Velocity (m/s) Velocity (m/s) Velocity (m/s)
∆P (mbar) ∆P (mbar) ∆P (mbar)
Calculations
1. Mass Flow Rate (for each diameter):
o Calculate using the measured velocity and pipe cross-sectional area
o ṁ = ρ × A × c
o Where: ρ = density of air, A = πd²/4, c = velocity
2. Graph: Plot mass flow rate (m) vs. pressure loss (∆P) for all three diameters on the same
axes.
Discussion Points
How does pressure loss vary with pipe diameter?
How does mass flow rate affect pressure loss?
What is the relationship between velocity and pressure drop?
Can you determine the pipe friction factor using the equation: λ = (p₁ – p₂) × ???
