Open Water Flume for Fluid Mechanics Lab

Open water flume tanks with closed-loop circulation driven by centrifugal pumps are essential for hydro experimentation in academic settings as well research centers. The device is also attractive due to its versatility and easy-to-maintain characteristics. Nevertheless, commercial open systems can be expensive become less prioritized engineering schools. This paper describes the design fabrication of an affordable, medium-size tank, suitable education purposes. central piece system a transparent observation chamber where fluid experiments typically conducted observed. expected maximum average speed about 60 cm per second was achieved inclusion 3 hp pump. size capacity current were constrained space limitation available funds. educational facility assigned two-semester multi-disciplinary capstone senior project incorporating students faculty mechanical, electrical, computer programs our campus. process provides training platform skills area Computer Aided Designs (CAD), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), manufacturing, experimentation. has contributed improvement soft skills, such time management, team working, professional presentation, members. total material cost than USD 6000, which includes pump variable frequency driver. made possible generous sponsor Vibration Institute.