Complex Engineering Problem: Critical Analysis

Course Title: Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers Course Code: CHE-214 Credit Hours: 4(3,1)
Course
Dr. Zakir Khan Program Name: BS Chemical Engineering
Instructor/s:
Semester: 3rd Batch: FALL 2019 Section A&B
Transportation of fluids in
CEP #: 1 CEP Title: spaceship
Knowledge Profiles
WK-1 Theory-based natural sciences

WK-2 Conceptually-based mathematics, numerical analysis,

statistics and formal aspects of computer and
information science to support analysis and modelling
WK-3 Theory-based engineering fundamentals

WK-4 Engineering specialist knowledge that provides theoretical

frameworks and bodies of knowledge for the practice
areas; much is forefront

WK-5 Knowledge that supports Engineering design in the

practice areas

WK-6 Knowledge of Engineering practice (technology) in the

practice areas

WK-7 Comprehension of the role of Engineering in society and

identified issues in engineering practice: ethics and
professional responsibility of an engineer to public safety;
the impact of engineering activity: economic, social,
 cultural, environmental and sustainability

WK-8 Engagement with selected knowledge in the Research

literature

Problem Profiles
WP-1 Depth of Knowledge required
WP-2 Range of conflicting requirements
WP-3 Depth of analysis required
WP-4 Familiarity of issues
WP-5 Extent of applicable codes
WP-6 Extent of stakeholder involvement and level of conflicting
requirements

WP-7 Interdependence
EP-1 Consequences
EP-2 Judgement
PROBLEM STATENT

Pumping fluid is an important task for a chemical engineer in the process industry and
research at Lab and Pilot scale. Selection of a suitable pump for specific fluid transportation
can save money, space and energy consumption in the related field and to able the desired
fluid transportation without any hurdles. Fluid flows downhill on earth. However, pumping
fluid in space is a much challenging job especially in the fuel-burning system which is utmost
and related to smooth flying of a spaceship. Furthermore, efficient transportation of fluids is
very important to design next-generation spaceships. The mechanical component of the pump
is always has a risk of failure, especially for long space missions. For the space environment,
a pump should be noiseless, carrying low mass and space, and consuming low energy.
Typical fluids like freons, hydrocarbons, propellants (hydrazine), liquid Ammonia and
demineralized water are the main to be transported within the spaceship. This is by no mean
an exhaustive list but providing more indications as the space missions are more aggressive
towards the new expedition (Mars). A considerable effort has been carried out to develop a
model pump for spaceship operations. An advance centrifugal pump of multiple applications
has been developed by NASA (NASA STI/Recon Technical Report A, 1993). This model
pump was developed to transport fluids in the range of 1-20 L/min with the impeller speed of
100 to 20,000 rpm. This pump was designed to transport freons, hydrocarbons and
propellants (hydrazine). Recently (August 2018), a group of 30 students lead by Franziska
Hild at Small Satellite Student Society, University of Stuttgart, Germany, developed a
magnetic pump, designed to transport Ferrofluids in the spaceship. The Ferrofluids was
initially invented in 1963 to create a liquid rocket fuel by transporting it through an
electromagnetic fuel. The ferromagnetic particles suspended in the organic liquid or water to
make it transport by creating a magnetic field. The testing of the magnetic pump is still under
process to evaluate its performance under microgravity.

You are required to propose a pump or multiple pumps to provide a solution to the
transportation of space fuel and other fluids in the spaceship. Support your proposal
with the knowledge of “selection of a suitable pump for space” along with the detailed
literature that strengthens your selection.
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
1. Type of Problem:

Complex Engineering Activity  Complex Engineering Problem 

2. Characteristic Analysis:
(Highlight how these characteristics are valid in given problem?)

Students will have to select the suitable pump based on the

Difficult Decision
Uncertain Strategy
Confusing Idea
Continuous Product
class knowledge (how to select a pump) along with the help of
literature search
List of fluids that needs to be transported within the spaceship
Deciding the type of pump/pumps
Change fluid characteristics will change the desired type of
pump

Intractable Change Change in type of fluid transportation will change

types of pump

3. Knowledge Profiles involved:

WK-3 
WK-4 
WK-5 
WK-6 
WK-8 

4. Problem Skills involved:

WP-1 
WP-2 
WP-3 
WP-4 
WP-5 
WP-6 
WP-7 
EP-1 
EP-2 