Fluid dynamics tutorials: flow, pressure, valves, aerodynamics and CFD, explained with engineering applications. New here? Start with the Fluid Dynamics guide, which organizes every article by topic.
Car wind noise can be heard inside of your vehicle while driving on the highway and is the audible result of high-pressure air attempting to escape as you accelerate. This whooshing sound, high-pitched, enters through the smallest gaps or openings in the vehicle’s exterior. Wind noise is one of many NVH factors covered in our…
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has undoubtedly matured into a vital tool in both industrial applications and academic research. Initially, this field—commonly known by its acronym CFD—was primarily associated with high-tech engineering sectors like aeronautics and astronautics. However, it has swiftly evolved into a widely adopted methodology for tackling complex challenges in modern engineering practice. Originating…
Energy storage refers to the process of capturing energy generated at one point in time for later use, helping to balance disparities between energy demand and production. Devices designed for this purpose are commonly known as accumulators or batteries. Energy storage entails converting energy from less manageable forms into more easily stored and economically viable…
Have you ever wondered why some cars are faster and more efficient than others? Well, it all comes down to something called automotive aerodynamics. The field of automotive aerodynamics involves examining the airflow around a vehicle. The goal is to diminish drag and wind noise and avoid unintended lift forces contributing to aerodynamic instability, particularly…
The leaf blower shown operates steadily and discharges air at the exit velocity of 180 ft/s. Assuming that the discharge pipe is of constant diameter with f = 0.02, that the minor losses at the blower inlet are Kinlet=1.3 and that the air density is rho=0.0735 lbm/ft3 , A) Estimate the total pressure increase across…
The relief valve is designed or adjusted to open at a specific set pressure, ensuring that pressure vessels and other equipment are not exposed to pressures exceeding their intended limits, thus protecting them. Pressure relief valves are commonly used in hydraulic systems, but they frequently fail under harsh conditions. To ensure the dependable operation of…
Background and Theory This laboratory investigates how the drag coefficient changes with respect to Reynolds number Cd(Re) for two wing types commonly found on aircraft, slightly swept wing and the elliptical wing. A model plane was placed in a wind tunnel which carefully controls and monitors the airflow so the forces/pressure acting on the plane…
Abstract: This laboratory investigates how the drag coefficient changes with respect to Reynolds number Cd(Re) for a smooth sphere and a sphere with bumps. The bumps on the sphere were modeled by adding a rubber band on the sphere. The sphere was placed in a wind tunnel which carefully controls and monitors the airflow so…
Background and Theory This experiment attempts to determine how volumetric flow rate effects changes in head, shaft power and the efficiency of the pump. To simplify this experiment, some assumption/idealizations were made. During this experiment the system is treated as slow speed, steady state with incompressible flow, the pipe and machine walls are solid so…
Background and Theory This experiment looks at how different obstructions affect the force exerted by a water jet. To obstruct the flow of fluid vanes were used. A vane as defined by Webster’s dictionary is “a thin flat or curved object that is rotated about an axis by a flow of fluid or that rotates…