PTP Matlab Assignment 2025:
Mechanical Energy Balance
This assignment focuses on applying the mechanical energy balance (Bernoulli equation) to
analyze a fluid transport system involving a pump. Students will be required to define a
control volume, apply appropriate fluid mechanics equations, compute relevant quantities in
MATLAB, and visualize their results. The total score is 10 points.
Instructions and rules
- The assignment must be handed in as a report, along with the related Matlab file. PDF format
is preferred, but docx is also accepted. Screenshots of hand-written operations pasted into
the report are not allowed. Please rename the files according to your group number before
handing in the report.
- The report must incorporate all the information/equation/assumption/simplifications
sketch of the control volume used to solve the problem. Only when all the
equations/balances are developed you can then solve the problem in Matlab
- The deadline to hand in the assignment is the 23rd of May 2025 at midnight. Use BrightSpace
to upload the files. Do not send them by email, nor with delay. NO reports will be accepted
after the deadline.
More…
- Justify all assumptions made (e.g., thermophysical properties, boundary conditions, etc…)
- Include sketches or plots wherever required, labeling axes and units appropriately.
- Discuss your results in the context of real-world engineering applications, including any
limitations or uncertainties in the analysis.
- The maximum number of points for this assignment is 10.
- Guidelines on how to structure a report are uploaded on BrightSpace.
HINT: Always start a problem by sketching the CONTROL VOLUME!
Note: your solutions must include original analysis and reasoning. Plagiarism will not
be tolerated. Make sure your submission reflects your understanding of the concepts
and ability to apply them to new challenges.
Good Luck!
Problem Statement
Water is pumped from a large open reservoir (Point A) at ground level to a storage tank
located 30 meters above (Point B). The pipe has two segments:
- Segment AB: 50 m long, 0.1 m diameter steel pipe
- Segment BC: 30 m long, 0.05 m diameter steel pipe
There is a 90° elbow between segments and a fully open globe valve before the tank. The
flow rate is 0.02 m³/s. The internal roughness of the pipe is 0.00015 m. Assume steady,
incompressible flow at 20°C. The tank is vented to atmosphere.
1: Define the Control Volume and Assumptions (2 pts)
- Draw a schematic of the system.
- Clearly define the control volume(s).
- State all assumptions (e.g., steady flow, incompressibility, negligible heat transfer).
- Write the extended Bernoulli equation across relevant sections.
2: Compute Fluid Velocity and Reynolds Number (1 pt)
- Calculate the velocity in each pipe segment.
- Determine the Reynolds number.
- Assess whether the flow is laminar or turbulent.
3: Use the Moody Diagram to Determine Friction Factor (2 pts)
- Use the Moody diagram or appropriate empirical correlations.
- Justify your choice of method.
- Calculate the Darcy friction factor for each segment.
4: Compute Head Losses and Pump Power (2 pts)
- Compute major head losses*.
- Include minor losses (90° elbow and globe valve).
- Apply the mechanical energy balance to find the pump head.
- Calculate the required power input to the pump (in watts).
Checkpoint 5: MATLAB Simulation and Plots (3 pts)
- Write a MATLAB script to perform all calculations.
- Plot head loss vs. flow rate (0.01 to 0.03 m³/s).
- Plot required pump power vs. flow rate.
- Comment on trends and implications for system design.
*Head losses refer to loss of mechanical energy per unit weight of fluid due to friction and or
other resistances as the fluid flows through the piping system. Head losses are expressed in
meters.
