FLUID AND HYDRAULICS

FLUID: Fluid is a substance that deforms continuously when subjected to shearing force no matter,
how small the force may be.

1. What is a Newtonian fluid and Non- Newtonian fluid?

Ans: Newtonian fluid: A fluid whose viscosity does not change with the rate of deformation or shear
strain is known as Newtonian fluid.
A Newtonian fluid possesses a linear stress strain relationship curve and it passes through the origin.
The fluid properties of a Newtonian fluid do not change when any force acts upon it.

Non- Newtonian fluid: A fluid whose viscosity changes with the rate of deformation or shear strain
is known as Non-Newtonian fluid.

2. Draw the Rheological diagram of Newtonian fluid, Non- Newtonian fluid, Ideal fluid,
Thixotropic, Ideal plastic substance.
Ans:

3. What is mean by viscosity?

Ans: Viscosity (μ): It is also known as absolute viscosity or dynamic viscosity. It is defined as the
property of a liquid which offers resistance to the movement of one layer of liquid over another
adjacent layer of liquid.
Resistance offers to flow of liquid is called viscosity.
Viscosity (μ) is defined as the shear stress is required to produce unit rate of shear strain.

4. What is the differentiate between absolute and kinematic viscosity?

Ans: Absolute Viscosity: The absolute viscosity is defined as the property of a liquid which offers
resistance to the movement of one layer of liquid over another adjacent layer of liquid.

Kinematic Viscosity: The kinematic viscosity is defined as the ratio of dynamic viscosity to the
density of liquid.

**Prepared by Engr. Goutam Panday, ME, DUET & Advisor: Dr. Md. Kamruzzman, Professor, MED, DUET. -1**
5. What is Water Hammer?
Ans: Water Hammer: When a liquid flowing through a long pipe is suddenly brought to rest by
closing the valve at the end of a pipe, then a pressure wave of high intensity is produce behind the
valve. This pressure wave of high intensity has the effect of hammering action on the walls of the
pipe. This phenomenon is known as water hammer or hammer blow.

6. What is Hydra Static Law or Bernoulli’s Equation?

Ans: Hydra Static Law or Bernoulli’s Equation: The Bernoulli’s Equation states that ‘For a perfect
incompressible liquid, flowing in a continuous stream, the total energy of a particle remains the
same, while the particle moves from one point to another. Mathematically,
Z1+V21/2g+P1/w = Z2+V22/2g+P2/w.

7. What is the Absolute Pressure scale?

Ans: The Absolute Pressure scale is,
Absolute Pressure or Actual Pressure= Atmospheric pressure + Gauge pressure (+ve).
Absolute pressure = Atmospheric pressure - Gauge pressure (-ve) or Vacuum pressure.

8. What is the Absolute Zero Pressure and Temperature?

Ans: The Absolute Zero Pressure: The gauge pressure is zero is called as Absolute Zero Pressure.

The Absolute Zero Temperature: The Temperature, below which the temperature of any substance
cannot fall, is known as Absolute Zero Temperature. Absolute Zero Temperature is -273ºC.

9. What is the Standard Atmospherics pressure or Normal pressure?

Ans: The Standard Atmospherics pressure = 101.3 kPa, or 10.3 mm of water, or 760 mm of Hg.

10. What is the relation between pressure and velocity?

Ans: There is very inverse relation between pressure and velocity remember this line always "where
the pressure is high velocity will be low."

If you have any idea of venturi tube or nozzle them you can understand it practically whenever area
will be large then pressure velocity will be low because we know continuity equation that,
AV = constant, Where A= area, V= velocity.

In case of venturi or nozzle at convergent portion, area is decreasing mean velocity increasing and
thus pressure is decreasing and similarly in divergent portion, area is increasing gradually and
velocity is decreasing & pressure is increasing. in nozzle throat is the minimum area and thus we
have maximum velocity and minimum pressure at throat.

11. What is the function of Venturimeter, Orifice Meter and Pitot Tube?
Ans: Venturimeter: The Venturimeter is an instrument used to measure the discharge of the liquid
flowing in a pipe.
Q = Cd*a1*a2*√(2gh)/√(a12-a22).
Cd=Coefficient of discharge, a1=Area at inlet, a2=Area at throat, g=Acceleration due to gravity,
h=Venturi-head.

**Prepared by Engr. Goutam Panday, ME, DUET & Advisor: Dr. Md. Kamruzzman, Professor, MED, DUET. -2**
Orifice Meter: The Orifice Meter is a device (cheaper than venturimeter) used for measuring the
discharge of the liquid flowing in a pipe.

Pitot Tube: The Pitot Tube is a small open tube bent at right angle. It is used to measure the velocity
of flow at the required point in a pipe placing it opposite to the direction of flow.

12. What is Pump?

Ans: Pump: When a fluid, be it hot or cold, has to be "moved" in a system, pumps are used. In other
words, in a more technically appropriate manner, the pump is a machine which has the function of
increasing the total (mechanical) energy of a liquid; this means that the pump transfers energy to the
fluid that it receives from the driving motor.

13. How many Types of Pump?

Ans: Pumps are in general classified as
Rotodynamic pumps - Centrifugal Pumps and axial flow pump.
Positive Displacement Pumps – reciprocating pump, rotary or gear pump.

14. What is Roto-dynamic pumps and their classification?

Ans: Centrifugal Pumps (Roto-dynamic pumps): The centrifugal pump is a machine which converts
the kinetic energy of the water into pressure energy before the water leaves its casing. The flow of
water leaving the impeller is free vortex.
The centrifugal or roto-dynamic pump produces a head and a flow by increasing the velocity of the
liquid through the machine with the help of a rotating vane impeller. Centrifugal pumps include
radial, axial and mixed flow units.

Centrifugal pumps can further be classified as:

a. end suction pumps, b. in-line pumps,
c. double suction pumps, d. vertical multistage pumps,
e. horizontal multistage pumps, f. submersible pumps,
g. self-priming pumps, h. axial-flow pumps,
i. regenerative pumps.

15. What is the Positive displacement Pump and their Classification?

Ans: Positive displacement Pump: The reciprocating pump is a positive displacement pump as it
discharges a definite quantity of liquid during the displacement of its piston or plunger which
executes a reciprocating motion in a closely fitting cylinder. It is best suited for less discharge and
high heads.

The positive displacement pump operates by alternating of filling a cavity and then displacing a
given volume of liquid. The positive displacement pump delivers a constant volume of liquid for
each cycle against varying discharge pressure or head.

**Prepared by Engr. Goutam Panday, ME, DUET & Advisor: Dr. Md. Kamruzzman, Professor, MED, DUET. -3**
 The positive displacement pump can be classified as:
a. Reciprocating pumps - piston, plunger and diaphragm
b. Power pumps
c. Steam pumps
d. Rotary pumps - gear, lobe, screw, vane, regenerative (peripheral) and progressive cavity.

16. What is the different between Centrifugal Pumps and Reciprocating Pumps?
Ans: The different between Centrifugal Pumps and Reciprocating Pumps are given below:
Centrifugal Pumps Reciprocating Pumps
1. The centrifugal pump is a machine which 1. The reciprocating pump is a positive
converts the kinetic energy of the water into displacement pump which delivers a constant
pressure energy before the water leaves its volume of liquid for each cycle against varying
casing. discharge pressure or head.

2. It is consist essentially basically of an 2. It is consist essentially of piston moving to

impeller rotating within a spiral casing.
3. It is best suited for high discharge and less
heads.
 4. Changing the system pressure or head has a
dramatic effect on the flow rate in the
Centrifugal Pump.
5. A Centrifugal Pump generally gives less
pressure than A positive Displacement pump.
 6. In the Centrifugal Pump the flow is reduced 
when the viscosity is increased.
7. Flow rate is higher than the reciprocating
pump.
8. It requires less space to install.
9. Centrifugal pump is more efficient.
10. Initial cost and maintenance cost is lower.
and fro in cylinder.
3. It is best suited for less discharge and high
heads.
4. Changing the system pressure or head has
little or no effect on the flow rate in the Positive
Displacement Pump.
5. A positive Displacement pump generally
gives more pressure than Centrifugal Pumps.
6. In the Positive Displacement Pump the flow is
increased when viscosity is increased.
7. Flow rate is lower compared to centrifugal
pump.
8. It requires more space to install.
9. Reciprocating pump is less efficient.
10. Initial cost and maintenance cost is higher.

17. Selecting between Centrifugal or Positive Displacement Pumps.

Ans: Selecting between a Centrifugal Pump or a Positive Displacement Pump is not always straight
forward.

18. What does a pump develops Flow or Pressure?

Ans: A pump does not create pressure, it only creates flow. Pressure is a measurement of the
resistance to flow.

19. What is operating pressure?

Ans: The amount of pressure nearest the point of performing work at the output end of a pneumatic
system. The system operating pressure is used to specify the capability of valves and actuators.
Operating pressure is the ideal pressure at which an element can operates effectively. Its range lies
between minimum to the maximum pressure. Out of this range of operating pressure the element
may get destruction.

**Prepared by Engr. Goutam Panday, ME, DUET & Advisor: Dr. Md. Kamruzzman, Professor, MED, DUET. -4**
20. Which pump is more efficient Centrifugal pump or Reciprocating pump?
Ans: Centrifugal pump.
Because flow rate is higher compared to reciprocating pump. Flow is smooth and it requires less
space to install. Lower initial cost and lower maintenance cost.

21. Why Centrifugal Pump is not called as a Positive Displacement Type of Pump?
Ans: The centrifugal has varying flow depending on pressure or head, whereas the Positive
Displacement pump has more or less constant flow regardless of pressure.
Likewise viscosity is constant for positive displacement pump where centrifugal pump have up and
down value because the higher viscosity liquids fill the clearances of the pump causing a higher
volumetric efficiency. When there is a viscosity change in supply there is also greater loss in the
system. This means change in pump flow affected by the pressure change.
One more example is, positive displacement pump has more or less constant efficiency, where
centrifugal pump has varying efficiency rate.

22. Why the centrifugal pump is called high discharge pump?

Ans: Centrifugal pump is a kinetic device. The centrifugal pump uses the centrifugal force to push
out the fluid. So the liquid entering the pump receives kinetic energy from the rotating impeller. The
centrifugal action of the impeller accelerates the liquid to a high velocity, transferring mechanical
(rotational) energy to the liquid. So it discharges the liquid in high rate. It is given in the following
formulae: Centrifugal force F = (M*V2) / R. Where, M-Mass, V-Velocity, R-Radius

23. What is Cavitation? And affect of Cavitation?

Ans: Cavitation: The formation, growth and collapse of vapour filled cavities or bubbles in a
flowing liquid due to local fall in fluid pressure is called Cavitation.

The Cavitation in a hydraulic machine affects in the following ways:

(a) It causes noise and vibration of various parts.
(b) It makes surface rough.
(c) It reduces the discharge of a turbine.
(d) It causes sudden drop in power output and efficiency.

24. Why cavitation will occur in Centrifugal Pumps and not in Displacement pumps?
Ans: The formation of cavities (or bubbles) is induced by flow separation, or non-uniform flow
velocities, inside a pump casing. In centrifugal pumps the eye of the pump impeller is smaller than
the flow area of pipe. This decrease in flow area of pump results in increase in flow rate. So pressure
drop happened between pump suction and the vanes of the impeller. Here air bubbles or cavities are
formed because of liquid vapour due to increase in temperature in impeller. This air bubbles are
transmitted to pump which forms cavitation.

25. How Cavitation can be eliminated in a Pump?

Ans: Cavitation means bubbles are forming in the liquid.
1. To avoid Cavitation, we have to increase the Pump size to One or Two Inch;
2. To increase the pressure of the Suction Head, or
3. Decrease the Pump Speed.

**Prepared by Engr. Goutam Panday, ME, DUET & Advisor: Dr. Md. Kamruzzman, Professor, MED, DUET. -5**
26. What is the power of Motor, when discharge (Q) = 0.5 Littre/sec, height (H) = 50 m,
Efficiency (ηo) = 70%.
Ans: We Know that, ηo= Pump power (Pp) / Motor power (Pm) = Q H ρ g/ Pm .
Pm = 0.5*10-3*50*1000*9.81/0.70 = 350.36 watt = 0.47 Hp.

27. Where Multi-stage pump used?

Ans: Pressure washing of Aircraft, Trains, Boats and Road vehicles as well as Spray washing of
industrial parts and Electronic components.

28. Which two seal oil pumps are driven from the same motor?
Ans: Main seal oil pump and re-circular seal oil pump; both are driven by Main seal oil pump motor.

29. When does Emergency Seal Oil Pump automatically start?

Ans: When its pressure switch senses Main Seal Oil Pump discharge pressure reduced to 78 PSI.
When supply oil header pressure falls below the predefined pressure value initiated by pressure
sensing device.

30. Which two seal oil pumps are driven from the same motor?
Ans: Main seal oil pump and re-circular seal oil pump; both are driven by Main seal oil pump motor.

31. What is Compressor?

Ans: Compressor:
1. A device that produces pressure, such as a gas compressor that produces pressurized gas.
2. A devices that squeezes (compresses).
3. (Audio) A device that reduces the dynamic range of an audio signal.

32. How many types of compressor?

Ans: The three basic types of air compressors are:
a. reciprocating, b. rotary screw , c. rotary centrifugal,
These types are further specified by:
a. The number of compression stages, b. Cooling method (air, water, oil),
c. Drive method (motor, engine, steam, other), d. Packaged or custom-built,
e. Lubrication (Oil, Oil-Free where Oil Free means no lubricating oil contacts the compressed air).

33. Which are the Air Compressors?

Ans: Single Stage Air Compressor, Two Stage Air Compressor, Multi Stage Air Compressor, Single
& Two Stage Vacuum Pumps, Vertical Air Compressor.

34. How is a fly ball governor used with a hydraulic control?

Ans: As the turbine speeds up, the weights are moved outward by centrifugal force, causing linkage
to open a pilot valve that admits and releases oil on either side of a piston or on one side of a spring-
loaded piston. The movement of the piston controls the steam valves.

35. What is PS?

Ans: PS is Pferdestarke, the German unit for Horsepower. Ps is a German unit of a horse power (hp
or bhp) ps and bhp are same but both are used in automobiles (car , bike etc).
**Prepared by Engr. Goutam Panday, ME, DUET & Advisor: Dr. Md. Kamruzzman, Professor, MED, DUET. -6**
36. What is the Difference between Hydraulics and Pneumatics?
Ans: The difference between Hydraulics and Pneumatics are given below:
Hydraulics system Pneumatic system
1. Hydraulics is used in controlling or harnessing 1. Pneumatics studies how pressurized gases
power with the use of pressurized fluids. influences mechanical motion or movement.
2. Hydraulics uses an incompressible fluid 2. Pneumatics uses a compressible gas like air.
medium like oil.
3. Hydraulics requires a pump. 3. Pneumatics obtains power from an air
compressor.
4. Hydraulic power more than Pneumatic power. 4. Pneumatic power less than hydraulic power.
5. Hydraulic systems are generally more difficult 5. Pneumatic systems are generally easy to
to operate compared to pneumatic applications. operate compared to Hydraulic applications.
6. Hydraulic applications demand greater 6. Pneumatic applications only require 100 psi
pressures during operations that reach 1000 psi. pressures more or less.
7. Hydraulic components are larger than 7. Pneumatic components are smaller than
Pneumatic components. Hydraulic components.

37. Define Reynold’s number, Froude’s number, Weber’s number, Euler’s number, and
Mach’s number.
Ans: Reynold’s number: The ratio of inertial force and viscous force is called Reynolds number. It is
a dimensionless number. It determines the type of fluid flow.
Froude’s number: The ratio of the inertia force to the gravity force is called Froude’s number.
Fr = u / (c-u) = u / √(gZ)
Weber’s number: The ratio of the inertia force to the surface tension force is called Weber’s number.
Euler’s number: The ratio of the inertia force to the pressure force is called Euler’s number.
Mach’s number: The ratio of actual velocity (v) of fluid, in an undisturbed steam, to the velocity of
sound wave or sonic velocity (c), is known as Mach number.

38. What is Magnus effect? Explain Mach number.

Ans: Magnus effect: Magnus observed experimentally that if the cylinder in a parallel flow stream is
rotated about its axis, a transverse force, which tends to move the cylinder across the parallel flow
steam, is generated. This is known as Magnus effect or aerodynamic lift.

Mach’s number: The ratio of actual velocity (v) of fluid, in an undisturbed steam, to the velocity of
sound wave or sonic velocity (c), is known as Mach number.

The flow of fluid is divided into the following four types depending upon the Mach number.
1. When the Mach number is less than unity, the flow is called a sub-sonic flow.
2. When the Mach number is equal to unity, the flow is called a sonic flow.
3. When the Mach number is between 1 to 6, the flow is called a supersonic flow.
4. When the Mach number is more than 6, the flow is called a hypersonic flow.

**Prepared by Engr. Goutam Panday, ME, DUET & Advisor: Dr. Md. Kamruzzman, Professor, MED, DUET. -7**
39. What is stagnation point?
Ans: Stagnation Point: A singular point in the flow, where the velocity of fluid is zero, is called
stagnation point.
i.e. dw/dz = 0, such as a sharp corner, a boundary deflected to towards the flow, or edge of a
submerged body.

40. What is NPSH?

Ans: NPSH: NPSH means Net Positive Suction Head. The net positive suction head is defined as the
difference between the net inlet head and the head corresponding to the vapour pressure of the liquid.
It may be noted that when the pressure at the suction falls below the vapour pressure of the liquid,
then cavitation will be formed.

41. Describe draft tube and its applications.

Ans: The draft tube is a pipe of gradually increasing area used for discharging water from the exit of
a reaction turbine. It is an integral part of mixed and axial flow turbines.

42. What is the function of Surge Tank, Draft Tube and Penstock?
Ans: Surge Tank: A surge tank introduce in the system between the dam and power-house nearest to
the power house, and preferably on the high ground to reduce the height of the tower to provide
better regulation of water pressure in the system during variable load conditions.
The surge tank helps in stabilizing the velocity and pressure in penstock and reduces the water
hammer effect.

Draft Tube: The main function of the draft tube is the recovery of the pressure head and prevents a
part of K.E otherwise going to waste at the tail race. To prevent separation, the flair of the sides ≈ 5-
6º (<10º). To prevent cavitation at the exit of the runner.

Penstock: A pipe between the surge tank and prime-mover is known as penstock. It has to bear very
high pressure on inside surface during decreased load conditions on generator and on onside surface
during increased load conditions on generator. In very cold weather conditions, it is sometimes
advised to bury the penstock to prevent the ice formation in the pipe and reduce the number of
expansion joints required.

43. Explain slip in reciprocating pumps.

Ans: Slip: The difference between the theoretical discharge and actual discharge is called the slip of
the pump.
Slip = Qth–Qac, % of Slip = 100*(Qth–Qac)/Qth

The slip of a reciprocating pump is negative when then suction pipe is long and delivery pipe is short
and the pump is running at high speeds.

44. What is Specific Speed of Centrifugal pump?

Ans: Specific Speed of Centrifugal pump: The Specific Speed of Centrifugal pump is defined as the
speed of an imaginary pump identical with the give pump, which will discharge 1 litter of water,
while it is being raised through a head of one meter. Mathematically,
Specific Speed (Ns)= N√Q/Hm3/4.
**Prepared by Engr. Goutam Panday, ME, DUET & Advisor: Dr. Md. Kamruzzman, Professor, MED, DUET. -8**
45. Describe air vessel, hydraulic ram, accumulator and lift.
Ans: Air Vessel: The air vessel, in a reciprocating pump, is a cast iron closed chamber having an
opening at its base. These are fitted to the suction pipe and delivery pipe close to the cylinder of the
pump. The vessels are for the following purposes:
a. To get continuous supply of liquid at a uniform rate.
b. To save the power required to drive the pump. This is due to the fact that by using air
vessels, the acceleration and friction heads are reduce. Thus the work is also reduced.

Hydraulic Ram: In hilly areas, a large volume of water available at low heads is utilized to lift a
small volume of water to a great height by means of a Hydraulic Ram.

Lift: The force perpendicular to the direction of the parallel flow, or a main free stream, which in
general is known as the lift.

**Prepared by Engr. Goutam Panday, ME, DUET & Advisor: Dr. Md. Kamruzzman, Professor, MED, DUET. -9**