41381 Advanced Fluid and Particle Mechanics
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Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 48641 Fluid Mechanics
Description
In this Developing subject, students will be asked to engage in the analysis of complex fluids, which are widely used in modern technologies and industries, particularly in foods, water, printing and coating materials, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and mineral processing. Understanding the fundamental principles of non-Newtonian fluids and particle mechanics in a fluid is crucial in these engineering practices. The subject will equip students with practical knowledge of fluid and particle mechanics in the context of chemical process engineering, where fluid (liquid or gas) interacts with particulate solids.
The subject has three parts: it begins by covering rheological concepts of non-Newtonian fluids, such as viscoelasticity, physical properties, and quantities, with an emphasis on the design calculation of the flow. Basic principles of viscometry and analysis of rheological measurements are also introduced. Then, students are invited to investigate how complex fluids are understood within the context of microscopic aspects of surface and interface sciences. This includes surface and interfacial tension, surface chemistry, and their correlation to colloidal stability. The final section will provide coverage of single and multi-particles in fluid, solid-fluid transport, particle aggregation and agglomeration, and particle transport, slurries and fluid flow through a packed bed of particles are discussed in association with relevant case studies and numerical problem-solving methods using computational calculation.
Students will learn through interactive lectures, complemented by tutorials where they will engage in problem-solving related to the content covered in lectures. Laboratory practicals will give them the opportunity to gain hands-on experience operating small equipment.
Completion of this subject will enable students to describe and model the physical behaviour of fluid-particle systems and perform design calculations and analyses of typical chemical engineering processes involving non-Newtonian fluids or complex fluid-particle systems.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Identify safety issues and hazards of non-Newtonian fluids and fluid-particle systems in viscous solutions. (B.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Design industrial processes for non-Newtonian fluids and complex particle operations. (C.1) |
| 3. | Analyse complex fluids and particulate systems in chemical engineering research and industrial processes. (D.1) |
| 4. | Communicate the design rationale for a solution to a complex fluids and particulate system. (E.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
- 2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership.
Teaching and learning strategies
Lecture notes will be available on Canvas for students to view in advance of classes. The workshops and tutorials will be offered in a face-to-face format, and students will be encouraged to participate in the lecture by asking questions to foster dialogic learning. Tutorial sessions will cover a summary of the lecture followed by a solution to the example and practice problems. Consultation sessions with the subject coordinator will be available for additional questions and discussions.
Laboratory practicals are designed to provide students with hands-on experience working with a small equipment operation. Students work in a team to learn about its function and operational characteristics to explore the relationship between ?the rheology of non-Newtonian, Newtonian and densities of complex fluids, the effect of particles on fluid degradation and surface wear characteristics. The laboratory class will be performed in Tech Lab level 2. the student must travel to Tech Lab using a free shuttle bus from main campus.
Laboratory demonstrations and reports provide opportunities to increase understanding and enhance knowledge of complex fluids and particles in flow analysis. This is central to the two-part assessment submission, where students discuss how they used feedback and reflection to inform their progress.
Content (topics)
Topics covered in this subject include:
- Non-Newtonian fluid properties
- Rheology of non-Newtonian fluids
- Colloids and interface science
- Colloidal stability
- Aerosols
- Particles suspended in a fluid.
- Fluid flows through a packed bed of particles
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Case study analysis
| Intent: | To analyse chemical engineering problems that involve complex fluids and particles in flow, such as non-Newtonian fluids, fluid viscous, and particles' effects on degradation, flow resistance, and surface wear characteristics. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 |
| Type: | Case study |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | Maximum two-page analysis report |
Assessment task 2: Laboratory Report
| Intent: | To validate and observe the application of Advanced Fluid and Particle Mechanics knowledge in real chemical-fluid applications |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and D.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | Maximum 5 pages, 1500 words |
Assessment task 3: Project Presentation
| Intent: | To communicate the design rationale to a range of audiences and receive feedback |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): E.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | 10-minute presentation + 5-minute Q&A |
Assessment task 4: Final Project Proposal
| Intent: | To improve the existing design by interpreting, analysing and applying feedback |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1, C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Length: | Maximum 10 pages, 5000 words |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
James O. Wilkes, Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers: with Microfluidics, CFD, and COMSOL Multiphysics 5, 3rd edition, ISBN 9780134712826
Recommended texts
(1) Martin Rhodes, Introduction to Particle Technology, 2nd edition, Wiley,
(2) Duncan Shaw, Introduction to Colloid and Surface Chemistry, 4th edition, Elsevier,
(3) James Wilkes, Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers, 3rd edition, Pearson,
(4) G. Böhme, Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, Publisher, Elsevier Science, Dec 2, 2012, ISBN 9780444597571
(5) R. Byron Bird, Warren E. Stewart, Edwin N. Lightfoot, Transport Phenomena, 2nd edition, Wiley