Experiment 1

Wind Tunnel Test of Symmetrical Aerofoil

Title:
Aerofoil Test in Wind Tunnel at Different Angles of Attack
Objective(s):
To measure the drag and lift forces applied on a symmetrical aerofoil at different angles of attack.
Theory:
Any object that moves in air (or vice versa) is subjected to stresses.

The normal stress is pressure (P)

The tangential stress is shear ()
On an aerofoil:
Part of the pressure and part of the shear becomes lift force
Part of the pressure and part of the shear becomes drag force
The aerofoil is designed as streamlined body to minimize the drag and maximize the lift.
The drag is characterized as C D

The lift is characterized as C L

Where A = C x L

drag force

FD

dynamic head area

1
U2A
2

lift force
dynamic head area

FL
1
U2A
2

Apparatus:
WT04 sub-sonic wind tunnel, Pitot tube, digital micromanometer & tubing 6mm Dia OD,
symmnetric aerofoil with angle adjustment model & 3 components balance

Figure 1 The WT04 sub-sonic wind tunnel

Figure 2 Aerofoil with Angle Adjustment model and The 3 Component Balance

Procedure:
1. Make sure the fan is switched off.
2. Install the aerofoil angle adjustment model into the test section, with bottom shaft insert
into the 3 components balance.
3. Adjust the aerofoil models angle of attack to +0o.
4. Ensure the test section glass frame is fully closed and no lost part is left in the test
section.
5. Adjust the lift and drag strain gauge amplifier reading to zero.
6. Place a small screw driver to adjust the zero potentiometer until the indicator showing
zero.
7. Boot up the PC, select the Main Menu screen to visualize the balance reading.
8. Set the air speed at 30 m/s via PC.
9. Wait for 1 minute for fan speed to reach stable condition.
10. Obtain the lift and drag reading and fill in the table below.
11. Repeat the above steps with different angle of attack, i.e. +3, +6, +9, +12 and +15
12. Repeat the above steps with negative angle of attack, i.e. -3, -6, -9, -12 and -15

Figure 3 Angle of Attack

Angle of Attack,
(o)
0
3
6
9
12
15
-3
-6
-9
-12
-15

Lift Force, FL
(N)

Drag Force, FD
(N)

CL

CD

Results:
Plot the graphs of variation lift and drag co-efficient with angle of attack for symmetric aerofoil

Discussions and Conclusions:

Experiment 2
Compressible flow in isentropic convergent-divergent nozzle and choking in compressible
fluid flow
Title:
Compressible flow in Convergent Nozzle
Objective(s):
To demonstrate the effect of compressibility on the flow equations for a convergent flow.
Theory:
For air flow higher than 0.3 Mach, the flow is considered compressible. It means that there is a
noticeable change in density.
Mach Number, Ma

flow velocity (V )

speed of sound (a)

kRT

Where T is the local temperature in Kelvin, K

From conservation of energy principle, we get:
Vin

V out

2( Po P1 )
Po

1.a

2( Po P2 )
Po

Where Po

V2
2g

1.b

P at state 1 or 2, or (in or out)

From continuity equation

1V1 A1
2V2 A2

From 1.a and b, getting:

In theoretical form Po

P2

A1
A2

Po

P1

Apparatus:
Armfield Compressible Flow Bench, convergent-divergent duct, two inclined tube manometers,
mercury manometer.

Figure 1 The Compressible Flow Bench

Procedure:
1. Connect one inclined tube manometer to read Po-P1 using the 12.7mm range.
2. Connect another inclined tube manometer to read Po-P2 using the 25.4mm range.
3. Adjust the flow to give approximately equal increments of (Po-P1).
4. For each flow rate, read both manometers.
5. Repeat the above steps using the 50.8mm range of an inclined tube manometer and with
mercury monometer to measure Po-P2.

Figure 2 The Convergent-divergent Duct

d1 = 24mm; d2 = 9.5mm; d3 = 24mm

Results:
Plot (Po-P2) against (Po-P1) for each set of readings.

Discussions and Conclusions:

Experiment 3
Pelton Water Turbine
Title:
Pelton Turbine characteristics
Objective(s):
To determine the characteristics of a Pelton turbine at different operating speeds. Conditions
Theory:
This type of hydraulic machine is converting the head energy to mechanical energy.

The input,
Pin
.Q.H
.g .Q.

Vi 2
2g

The output,
Pout
.T
.( F r )
2 N
T
60

The turbine efficiency,

Po
100%
Pin
Flow rate, volume flowing per time,
V
Q
t

Figure 1 Impeller of Pelton Turbine

Apparatus:
Armfield R15 Pelton (Impulse) Turbine test bench.

Figure 2 Armfield R15 Pelton Turbine

No.
1
3
4
7
8
9
10
11

Part Name
Pump assembly
Diaphragm valve
Delivery pipes
Glass vessel
Vernier height gauge
Sump tank
Turbine assembly
Spear valve

Procedure:
1. Check that the sump tank is filled to the correct level just below the V- notch.
2. If necessary, add water to the upstream side of the V- notch plate until the water level
coincides with the apex of the V- notch.
3. Check that the valve at the pump discharge is closed and close the spear valve.
4. Release any load on the disc brake by unscrewing the hand wheel and check that the
dial gauge reads zero. Adjust if necessary.
5. Switch on the pump and slowly open the valve at the pump discharge to the fully open
position. This valve is to be kept opened throughout the test.
Note: Gradually open the spear valve by three full turns of the hand wheel. 1 turn =
1.75mm travel of spear.
6. Allow the speed of turbine to stabilize, then take readings of:a. turbine speed (read on Tachometer, RPM)
b. Inlet head (read on Bourdon gauge, m head)
c. Flow rate (read on flow meter, m3/hr)
d. brake force (read on brake spring balance, kg)
7. Slowly apply load to the disc brake by turning the hand wheel in a clockwise direction
until the speed of the turbine reduces by approximately 100RPM.
8. Keeping the speed steady (by re-adjusting the brake load if necessary), repeat the
readings in step 6.
9. Repeat steps 7-8 until turbine stalls (0 RPM)
10. On completion if the test:a. Close the guide vanes
b. Release the load on the brake
c. Switch off the pump
d. Close the valve at the pump discharge
Brake arm radius (r) = 0.25m
Turbine
Speed,
N
(RPM)

Inlet
Head, H
(m)

Flow
meter
Reading
(m3/hr)

Volume
Flowrate,
Q
(m3/s)

Brake
Reading
(kg)

Brake
Force,
F
(N)

Results:
Plot graph of Torque against turbine speed
Plot graph of mechanical power against turbine speed
Plot graph of turbine efficiency to turbine speed

Discussions and Conclusions:

Brake
Torque, T
(Nm)

Mechanical
Power, PM
(W)

Water
Power,
PW
(W)

Turbine
Efficiency,

Experiment 4
Multi-pump Test Rig
Title:
Multi-pump
Objective(s):
To investigate the relationship between pressure head, flow rate, power consumed and efficiency
for a pump.
To compare the performance curves of different pumps.
Theory:
The pump is a delivery system. It rises up the head of fluid by energy conversion. The input
power usually is electrical power (Pin). The output power is (Po) and is dependent on the pump
efficiency ( )

Po
Pin
Po

.g.Q.H
Where
is fluid density
g is gravity (=9.81)
Q is flow rate
H is delivery head

Pin

2 N
T
60

Figure 1 A Centrifugal Pump

Figure 2 An Axial Flow Pump

Figure 3 A Gear Pump

Figure 4 A Turbine Pump

Apparatus:
Armfield Multi-pump Test Rig C3-11, stop watch

Figure 5 The Armfield Multi-pump Test Rig C3-11

Procedure:
1. Select a pump to be tested.
2. Ensure that the dynamometer motor torque arm has been correctly set to zero.
3. Switch on the test rig.
4. Raise the motor speed to maximum 1450 rev/min.
5. Select six equi-spaced points throughout the pressure reading range, at which flow
reading will be taken.
Note: the actual pressure head of the pump is the difference between the
pressure gauge reading in m.H2O and the vacuum gauge reading in m.H2O, at a
particular rate of flow.
6. Adjust the control valve to the first of the selected pressure gauge readings.
7. Measure the rate of flow using the graduated sight glass on the volumetric tank and the
stop watch.
8. Record the torque reading at each flow rate.
9. Repeat steps 3-8 for two other motor speeds.

Reading

Pressure
(m.H2O)

Vacuum
(m.H2O)

Pump
Head
(m.H2O)

Volume
(ltr)

Time
(s)

Flow
Rate
(m3/s)

Torque
(N.m)

Input
Power
(W)

Hydraulic
Power
(W)

1
2
3
4
5
6

Results:
Construct a graph of Pump Pressure Head (vertical axis) against Pump Flow Rate (horizontal
Axis).
Construct a graph of Efficiency (vertical axis) against Flow Rate (horizontal axis)
Categorize the pumps into i. high flow/low pressure or ii. Low flow/high pressure types

Discussions and Conclusions:

Efficiency
(%)

Experiment 5
Francis Water Turbine
Title:
Francis Turbine characteristics
Objective(s):
To determine the characteristics of a Francis turbine at different operating conditions
Theory:
This type of hydraulic machine is converting the head energy to mechanical energy.
The input,
Pin
.Q.H
.g .Q.

Vi 2
2g

The output,
Pout
.T
.( F r )
2 N
T
60

The turbine efficiency,

Po
100%
Pin
Flow rate,
V
Q
t

Figure 1 Francis Turbine Impeller

Apparatus:
Armfield R16 Francis (Reaction) Turbine

Figure 2 Armfield R16 Francis Turbine

No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Part Name
Sump Tank
Pump assembly
Centrifugal pump
Suction pipe
Valve
Delivery pipe
Electromagnetic flow meter

Procedure:
1. Check that the sump tank is filled.
2. Check that the valve at the pump discharge is closed and set the guide vanes on the
turbine to the closed position.
3. Release any load on the disc brake by unscrewing the handwheel and check that the dial
gauge reads zero. Adjust if necessary.
4. Switch on the pump and slowly open the valve at the pump discharge to the fully open
position. This valve is to be kept opened throughout the test.
5. Gradually open the guide vanes to approximately mid-position, typically 15o on the
indicator, then clamp in position.
6. Allow the speed of turbine to stabilize, then take readings of:e. turbine speed (read on Tachometer, RPM)
f. Inlet head (read on Bourdon gauge, m head)
g. Flow rate (read on flow meter, m3/hr)

h. brake force (read on brake spring balance, kg)

7. Slowly apply load to the disc brake by turning the hand wheel in a clockwise direction
until the speed of the turbine reduces by approximately 100RPM.
8. Keeping the speed steady (by re-adjusting the brake load if necessary), repeat the
readings in step 6.
9. Repeat steps 7-8 until turbine stalls (0 RPM)
10. On completion if the test:i. Close the guide vanes
j. Release the load on the brake
k. Switch off the pump
l. Close the valve at the pump discharge
Brake arm radius (r) = 0.25m
Turbine
Speed,
N
(RPM)

Inlet
Head, H
(m)

Flow
meter
Reading
(m3/hr)

Volume
Flowrate,
Q
(m3/s)

Brake
Reading
(kg)

Brake
Force,
F
(N)

Results:
Plot graph of Torque against turbine speed
Plot graph of mechanical power against turbine speed
Plot graph of turbine efficiency to turbine speed

Discussions and Conclusions:

Brake
Torque, T
(Nm)

Mechanical
Power, PM
(W)

Water
Power,
PW
(W)

Turbine
Efficiency,