Compressible Fluid Flow

The study of compressible fluid flow in the thermodynamics and thermo-fluids course remains an important part of most engineering degrees.

The study of nozzles and turbines is of particular interest, but in the past their large size, thermal inertia and the high capital and running costs have created problems for teaching staff in allocating the necessary financial resources and space.

In many countries amendments and additions to the health and safety legislation and the resulting inspection requirements have compounded these difficulties.

This unique range of bench mounted units overcomes these problems by operating on the compressed air supply found in most laboratories, or in the case of Model F821, by using a novel working fluid.

All the units have been specifically designed and engineered to rapidly generate experimental results representative of larger plant. Students therefore receive the best teaching experience in safety and with the minimum investment in time, space and cost.


	F791 Nozzle Performance Test Unit Allows students to study the performance of a nozzle as either a kinetic energy or thrust producer. Operating from a normal laboratory compressed air supply the unit is supplied with one convergent and four convergent-divergent nozzles that can be rapidly interchanged. These nozzles are all designed to operate at different theoretical expansion ratios. The unit is fully instrumented to measure pressure, mass flow, temperature, thrust and impact force. The operating conditions can be quickly varied to produce results over a wide range of pressure ratios.


	Together, the Nozzle Performance Test Unit F791 and the Nozzle Pressure Distribution Unit F810 provide all of the basic nozzle laboratory experiments for compressible fluids.


	Data sheet

F810 Nozzle Pressure Distribution Unit
Enables students to study the effect of inlet and outlet pressure ratio on the mass flow and pressure distribution in nozzles.

Operating from a normal laboratory compressed air supply the unit is supplied with one convergent and two convergent-divergent nozzles of identical throat diameter. These nozzles can easily be interchanged and are designed to operate at different theoretical expansion ratios. Each nozzle is equipped with axial pressure tappings that can be connected to the 8 panel mounted pressure gauges.The unit is fully instrumented to measure pressures, mass flow and temperatures over a wide range of pressure ratios.

Together, the Nozzle Performance Test Unit F791 and the Nozzle Pressure Distribution Unit F810 provide all of the basic nozzle laboratory experiments for compressible fluids.


	Data sheet


	F800 Experimental Impulse Turbine A small, single stage, axial flow impulse turbine that operates on the compressed air supply usually available in laboratories. Instrumentation is provided to measure the air supply pressure, mass flow rate and temperature as well as the turbine speed and torque. The turbine may be operated from stall to a no-load speed of up to 50,000rpm and turbine performance studied using either throttle or nozzle control. At a fraction of the overall cost, this unit demonstrates all the characteristics of an impulse turbine that are normally studied using a large steam power plant. The unit is complementary to the Experimental Reaction Turbine.


	Data sheet

F840 Experimental Reaction Turbine
A small, single stage, radial flow reaction turbine that operates on the compressed air supply usually available in laboratories. Instrumentation is provided to measure the air supply pressure, mass flow rate and temperature as well as the rotor torque and speed.

The turbine may be operated from stall to a no-load speed of 35,000rpm and classic turbine performance curves can be generated.

The unit is complementary to the Experimental Impulse Turbine.


	Data sheet

F821 Solar/Heat Source Vapour Turbine
Incorporating all the major components and exhibiting all the performance characteristics for a fraction of the capital and running costs of a typical steam power plant, the unit operates on the classic Rankine cycle using a refrigerant as the working fluid.

Instrumentation includes all relevant system pressures and temperatures, turbine torque and speed, working fluid and cooling water flow rates.

Supplied in standard form with an electric heat source, an optional set of Solar Panels and Installation Package is available to demonstrate the generation of work from solar radiation.


	Data sheet

F820S Solar Panels and Installation Package
The Solar/Heat Source Vapour Turbine and the Vapour Jet Refrigerator/Heat Pump may be operated from any source of hot water at approximately 90°C. In locations where conditions are suitable, the Solar Panels and Installation Package enables these units to be operated using hot water generated from solar radiation.

The Package, which is designed for on site assembly and installation, includes the solar panels, additional instrumentation and all components necessary to connect to the couplings on the above mentioned units.