Equipment for Engineering Education

Instructions Manual
HM 152

Flow Visualisation
Table

G.U.N.T. Gertebau GmbH

P.O. Box 1125
D-22881 Barsbttel Germany
Phone (040) 670854-0
Fax
(040) 670854-42

Flow Visualisation Table

All rights reserved G.U.N.T. Gertebau GmbH, Barsbttel, Germany

03/99

HM 152

Instructions Manual

Please read and follow the instructions before the first installation!

Publication-No.: 917.000 00 A 152 12

03/99

HM 152

Flow Visualisation Table

Table of Contents
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Description of unit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

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03/99

2.1

Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

2.2

Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2.3

Start-up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.4

Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.4.1

Bleeding the unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.4.2

Assembly of the cover plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.4.3

Filling and injecting the dye. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.4.4

Maintenance and care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.1

Risk of injury or death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

3.2

Risk to unit and function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Theoretical basis and experiments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4.1

Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4.2

Experiments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4.2.1

Flow configuration - cylinder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4.2.2

Flow configuration around an aerofoil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

4.2.3

Sources and sinks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

4.2.4

Additional drag bodies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Annex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
5.1

Symbols and Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

5.2

Supplied model body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

HM 152

Technical Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

All rights reserved G.U.N.T. Gertebau GmbH, Barsbttel, Germany

03/99

5.3

Flow Visualisation Table

HM 152

Flow Visualisation Table

Introduction
The HM 152 Table Unit for visualising flow
configurations is used to illustrate the streamlines around drag bodies.
The unit uses water as the flow medium. A water
supply and drain is required for operation of the
unit. Otherwise it can be operated independently.

All rights reserved G.U.N.T. Gertebau GmbH, Barsbttel, Germany

03/99

A contrast medium (dye) is injected through small

nozzles into the flow area between two parallel
glass plates. The glass plates provide an excellent
means of observing the flow configurations.
Various drag bodies (included) can be placed in
the area of flow.
In addition, sources and sinks can be simulated
and illustrated using eight additional openings in
the flow area.
The handling of this unit is relatively uncomplicated, and is therefore well suited for use in student
experiments (brief instruction is required).
The following subjects can be investigated using
this unit:

1 Introduction

Definition of streamlines and flow lines in fluid

mechanics

Presentation of parallel streamlines around bodies

Examination of the influences of sources and

sinks on streamlines

HM 152

Flow Visualisation Table

Description of unit

2.1

Setup
5
15
14

16

21

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03/99

17

10

11

12

13

19

18
7

20
6
Fig. 2.1

Sources/Sinks

Setup

2 Description of unit

HM 152

Flow Visualisation Table

All rights reserved G.U.N.T. Gertebau GmbH, Barsbttel, Germany

03/99

Parts:

2.2

Frame (1)

Levelling plate with levelling bar (2)

Connection for water supply (3)

Connection for water drainage (4)

Adjustable supply tank for contrast medium

(5)

Glass base plate with grid (6)

Glass cover plate with handle (7)

Source valves (8)

Sink valves (9)

Distributing tube with injection nozzles (10)

Various flat rubber drag bodies (11)

Weir with adjustable overflow plate (12)

Inlet (13)

Connecting hose for distributing tube (14)

Contrast medium valve supply tank (15)

Chain for securing the cover plate (16)

Cleaning valve for flushing the injection

nozzles (17)

Feed pan (18)

Drain pan (19)

Discharge valve (hidden) (20)

Supply valve (21)

Function
The flow area is flushed by a stream of water which
flows from left to right (Fig. 2.1).
The amount of water which flows through the area
between the glass plates can be controlled with the
supply valve (21). The water flows through the inlet
(13), into the feed pan (18), through the flow area

2 Description of unit

HM 152

Flow Visualisation Table

and into the drain pan (19). It is discharged from

the unit via the drainage connection (4).
The water level can be set using the adjustable
weir (12).

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03/99

The contrast medium flows from the supply tank

(5) through the connecting hose (14) and into the
distributing tube (10). The medium is injected into
the flow area through 19 injection nozzles. The
contrast medium valve (15) controls the flow of the
contrast medium. The injection nozzles can be
flushed clean by switching the connecting hose
(14) from the contrast medium valve (15) to the
cleaning valve (17).
Opening the discharge valve (20) allows the water
to drain from the supply pan after the experiment
is complete.
The source (8) and sink valves (9) open and shut
the sources and sinks. The assignment of the
valves is marked with the numbers 1 to 8.
2.3

Start-up

2 Description of unit

Aligning the unit horizontally:

Place a level on the glass base plate. Loosen
the lock nuts on the levelling bars (2) and align
the unit by turning the levelling bars. Re-tighten
the lock nuts.

The inside surfaces of the glass plates must be

cleaned.
A lint-free cloth and a degreasing cleaning
agent (such as spirit) should be used.

Create the water supply by connecting the

hose to the supply connection (3).

Connect the hose to the drain connection (4)

and to an appropriate drain.

HM 152

Flow Visualisation Table

2.4

Operation

2.4.1

Bleeding the unit

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03/99

Before experiments can be carried out, all hoses

and valves must be bled:

2.4.2

Open the cover plate and secure against tipping with the chains (16). The chains are attached to the hook on the cover plate (see Fig.
2.2).

Shut discharge valve (20).

Open valves for sources (8) and sinks (9).

Open supply valve (21) and allow water to flow

through the unit.
The lines and valves will be flushed by a strong
flow of water.

Adjust the overflow of the weir so that the water

level on the base plate (6) would reach approximately as high as the bottom of the cover
plate (ca. 5 mm). If necessary the water flow
can be changed using the supply valve (21).

Assembly of the cover plate

2 Description of unit

If desired, insert a drag model and fasten to the

base plate (6).

Slowly lower the cover plate (7).

Remove the chains (16) from the hook (Fig.
2.2), while holding the cover plate (7) securely!
Ensure that no air bubbles have been trapped.
Repeat procedure if necessary. Adding a small
amount of detergent may help avoid the formation of bubbles.
DANGER! Keep cover plate from falling!
This presents a risk of injury and causing damage to the unit.

HM 152

Flow Visualisation Table

Chain for securing the cover plate

Hook

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03/99

Cover plate

Fig. 2.2

Securing the cover plate

2.4.3

Filling and injecting the dye

For good results it is sufficient to dilute the dye to
the ratio 1:5.

2 Description of unit

Shut contrast medium valve (15).

Fill supply tank (5) 2/3 full with diluted dye.

Open the contrast medium valve (15) slightly

and wait until dye flows from every injection
nozzle.

Install the distributing tube to the unit so that

the injection nozzles are between the cover
plate and base plate.
DANGER! Sharp injection nozzles!
Serious risk of injury.

HM 152

To avoid the formation of bubbles, take care to

ensure that there is always a sufficient amount
of dye in the supply tank!

The dye can be removed from textiles by washing. However, it will adhere to aluminium and
plastics. Remove any droplets of dye on the
unit immediately with water.

The glass plates must be kept extremely clean

to ensure the faultless function of the unit. Use
a lint-free cloth and degreasing cleaning agent
(e.g. Spiritus).

Plugged injection nozzles can be flushed open

or cleaned using a thin wire.

To prevent dried dye from plugging the distributing tube, flush the distributing tube with
water after each use:
Shut the contrast medium valve and connect
the connecting hose to the cleaning valve.
Open cleaning valve and flush the distributing
tube.

After use, allow the water to drain from the unit

(open discharge valve (20)). It is very important to dry and clean the glass plates!

Maintenance and care

All rights reserved G.U.N.T. Gertebau GmbH, Barsbttel, Germany

03/99

2.4.4

Flow Visualisation Table

2 Description of unit

HM 152

Flow Visualisation Table

Safety instructions

3.1

Risk of injury or death

All rights reserved G.U.N.T. Gertebau GmbH, Barsbttel, Germany

03/99

3.2

DANGER! Do not allow cover plate to fall!

The cover plate is very heavy and presents a
great risk of injury. Students should especially
be made aware of this danger and receive
thorough instruction on the unit.

DANGER! Do not use glass plates that have

damaged edges!
Risk of injury.

DANGER! Sharp injection nozzles!

Risk of injury.

IMPORTANT! Operate unit only with supervision!

Unfavourable settings of valves and weir create the risk of overflow.

IMPORTANT! Secure the open cover plate

with chains!
A falling cover plate can result in considerable
damage to the unit and in some cases to personal injury.

Risk to unit and function

3 Safety instructions

HM 152

Flow Visualisation Table

Theoretical basis and experiments

4.1

Definitions
The flow of fluid (such as water) around a body can
be observed by making the streamlines visible. In
the case of stationary flow, the streamlines coincide with the flow lines, i.e. the paths of motion of the
individual fluids.

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03/99

The closer the proximity of the streamlines, the

greater the flow velocity.
4.2

Experiments

4.2.1

Flow configuration - cylinder

Fig. 4.1 illustrates the circulation around the cylinder. It is apparent that the flow around the body is
smooth. The pattern of the streamlines is symmetrical and shows no turbulence or stalling. The
approximation of the streamlines indicates the areas with higher velocities.

Fig. 4.1

Cylinder

4.2.2

Flow configuration around an aerofoil

Turbulence

The circulation of fluid around an aerofoil (Fig. 4.2)

clearly shows that the flow configuration is relatively small. However, the turbulence will increase
as the Reynolds number Re decreases:
Re =

Fig. 4.2

wl

(4.1)

Aerofoil

4 Theoretical basis and experiments

HM 152

Flow Visualisation Table

Re: Reynolds number

w: Flow velocity in m/s
l: Length of aerofoil in m
: Density of water in kg/m3
(at 20C =890kg/m3)
: Dynamic viscosity in kg/ms
(=1.002 10-3 kg/ms)

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03/99

The approximation of streamlines on the top of the

profile and the contrasting larger intervals on the
bottom demonstrate the differences in pressure.
4.2.3

Sources and sinks

Interesting flow configurations can be created by
adding additional water (source) or discharging
water (sink).
Fig. 4.3 and Fig. 4.4 show examples.

Fig. 4.3

Flow configuration with one

source

Fig. 4.4

Flow configuration with one

sink

4 Theoretical basis and experiments

In reality - in the case of a sink, for example the

flow characteristics of an aeroplane lifting surface
are improved by vacuuming air in the rear section
of the lifting surface so that the flow is in contact
for a longer.

10

HM 152

4.2.4

Flow Visualisation Table

Additional drag bodies

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03/99

In addition to the drag bodies described above,

other models are also supplied and can be examined as well. It is also possible for the user to create
individualised models.

4 Theoretical basis and experiments

11

HM 152

Flow Visualisation Table

Annex

5.1

Symbols and Units

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03/99

5.2

5 Annex

Flow velocity

m/s

Length of aerofoil

Density of water

kg/m3

Dynamic viscosity

kg/ms

Supplied model body

12

HM 152

5.3

Flow Visualisation Table

Technical Data
Suitable contrast medium: dye
Volume of supply tank:
200

ml

Inlet (hose nozzle):

external 13

mm

03/99

Drain (hose nozzle):

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external 25 mm
Weight:

ca. 140

Main dimensions (l x w x h):

1400 x 810 x 1310

5 Annex

kg

mm3

13