The Refurbishment Of Fluid Flow Demonstration Unit (PDF/DOC)
The refurbishment of the fluid flow demonstration unit was carried out in the Chemical Engineering pilot plant laboratory of the Institute of Management and Technology Enugu.
The refurbishment process was carried out to ensure adequate functioning of the unit, to allow the continuous use of equipment in the pilot plant, so that student would use it in understanding the nature of the flow of fluid through pipe lines, these process was also for the development of the knowledge of every one who carried out the operation.
The process involved in the refurbishment of the fluid flow demonstration unit were in stages and it started with the finding of faults, at this stage the equipment was operated to know where the possible fault would arise from, while water was passing through the cylindrical glass tube, it was not visible, which we noted was due to dirt’s cloged in the pipes internal surface. The storage tank was filled with clean water, when this water was pumped out, it was dirty then we noted also the storage tank was dirty. Some pipes were not held firmly to the board this was due to worn out clips, bolts and nuts, we also noticed leakages in some hose pipes.
Since the faults has been found we started servicing by first decoupling of the cylindrical glass tubes from the board one after the other with utmost care using screw drivers, spanners and pliers gradually all the tubes were removed from the board. After dismantling these tubes, sulphuric acid {H2S04}, detergent, water and brush which would be used for washing the pipes were brought in place, the sulphric acid was passed through the pipe to soften the dirt’s in the pipe, then the detergent was dissolved in water, with brushes of different sizes all the pipe were washed and rinsed with clean water and allowed to dry. After these a dry rag was soaked in detergent and water which was used in cleaning the board removing the stains and dirts from it, then it was allowed to dry. The board was later painted with a white oil paint using a brush to coat it first and allowed to dry then finally painted. The storage tank was also washed with detergent and water the allowed to dry, then it was painted with the aid of a brush both internally and externally. Some bolts, nuts, chips and hosepipe that was leaking were replaced.
Finally the fluid flow demonstration unit was brought back in place for use, giving the unit along lasting use, enabling the use in the Chemical Engineering pilot plant.
INTRODUCTION
The fluid flow demonstration unit is a piece of equipment that was designed specially for instructional purposes. The main part of the equipment consist of five parallel glass pipe lines carrying a metered supply of pumped water from a water reservoir. Each line possess it’s own entry and exit valves so that the water supply may be diverted through any of the lines at will.
The four lines contain a demonstration insert viz. An orifice plate, a venturi, a series of bend, a date valve and globe valve line also one of the lime contain no insert. Each of these lines possess a manometer leg attachment points so that pressure difference across the demonstration can be measured. The flow rate is measured or obtained by measuring the pressure differences between the inlet of the meter and a point of reduced pressure, where the orifice meter, ventari, series of bend, date and globe valve have flow rates which can be varied by means of the flow control valve and metered by the flow meter, while used water is returned to the reservoir to facilitate continuous operation.
The type of flow common in these demonstration unit is laminar flow, because the fluid flowing (water) move along a straight, parallel paths in layers or laminar. This type of flow is governed by the law of relating shear stress to rate of angular deformation that is the product of viscosity of the fluid is dominant and this suppresses any tendency to turbulent condition.
This equipment could be used for operation such as: measuring pressure drop during flow in a straight pipe, flow through the venturi meter, flow through the orifice meter also calibration of the rota meter.
The process “refurbishment” has been of great concern in our Chemical Engineering section, industries etc. Refurbishment is actually the ability to bring back and equipment to a good working condition, these makes an equipment to be operated with less errors, following commissioning instruction, service requirement, repairs and maintenance. The inevitability less than 100% reliability of any equipment ultimately necessitates it’s repair and maintenance.
When one is refurbishing a particular equipment some techniques are used such as:
– Close inspection of the equipment to find faults
– Inspecting to find out any damage
– Operating different parts to find out if there is any malfunction. For an equipment such as the “fluid flow demonstration unit” when those steps are taken the possible faults would be listed out these is in order to make the refurbishment process easier.
In refurbishing the fluid flow demonstration unit after all of the above techniques, each components of the equipment will be dismantled one after the other, washed with brush and H2S04 and rinsed properly, surface treatment operation would also be carried out which include.
The cleaning of the board, painting of the board to avoid any pest attach, cleaning of the water tank also painting to reduce the formation of dirts in the tanks. Those part that need repair were repaired, parts that ought to be replaced were replaced while those that could not be purchased were improvised.
During the maintenance and service operation that is refurbishment, a knowledge of the working principle of the equipment is required since it is used to correct errors in measuring devices such as manometer, repair of damage part and replacement of the worn out parts of the equipment.
The need for refurbishment is to increase the workability of an equipment and enhance flow parameter studies in the fluid flow demonstration unit. The performance and efficiency of the fluid floro demonstration unit has electrode the poor maintenance, non-monitoring of operating during use, failure to report faults early and inadequate servicing of the parts.
Therefore the refurbishment of these equipment and any other Chemical Engineering Instrument promote performance, maximizes efficiency of the equipment, and also assures satisfactory result.
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