Armfield – Complete Fluid Mechanics Laboratory – S16 Hydraulic Flow Demonstrator

The flow channel of the S16 Hydraulic Flow Demonstrator is constructed using clear acrylic for visibility and is supported by a floor-standing, metal frame fitted with castors for mobility.

The flow channel consists of an inlet tank with overflow and flow stilling arrangement, a rectangular working section and a discharge tank.

Control valves and adjustable weirs allow the flow conditions to be varied independently at the entry to and exit from the working section. The working section can be flooded to create a closed conduit or operate partially filled as an open channel.

The most important feature of this equipment is the adjustable section of the bed which, together with its transition section (ramps), may be raised and lowered using an external actuator while the water is still flowing. This facility affords a striking demonstration of the significance of channel critical depth. It is also used to vary the cross section for demonstration of the Bernoulli equation in closed conduit flow.

A removable panel in the roof of the working section allows models of typical hydraulic structures to be installed, namely; a sharp-crested weir, broad-crested weir (also used to create a culvert) and ogee weir.

Pitot tubes and tappings connected to a multi-tube manometer allow total and static heads to be measured and compared at three locations in the working section. The height of the Pitot tubes is adjustable allowing the velocity profile to be determined at any position between the bed and the roof of the working section. Transparent scales allow all important heights and levels to be measured throughout the working section.

The S16 Hydraulic Flow Demonstrator is designed to be used in conjunction with an Armfield F1-10 Hydraulics Bench, which provides a recirculating water supply and a volumetric measuring facility. The Flow Demonstrator can be used with an independent water supply of up to 1.6 l/s provided that water discharging from the channel can be intercepted.

An optional direct reading flow meter is available that allows rapid adjustment to the required flow conditions.

Key Features

S16 Hydraulic Flow Demonstrator

• A floor-standing flow channel for use with a hydraulics bench
• Working section 77mm wide, 150mm high and 1100mm long
• Can be configured to demonstrate flow in open channels and closed conduits
• Clear acrylic sides for good visibility of flow patterns created
• Stilling arrangement at inlet to promote smooth flow into the working section
• Section of bed can be elevated continuously and locked at the required height
• Discharge tank incorporates flow-control valve for convenience in setting up
• Total and static heads indicated on multi-tube manometer connected to Pitot tubes and static tappings at three locations in working section
• Pitot tubes mounted through bed of channel for ease of priming and height adjustment (can be traversed from floor to roof to measure velocity profile)
• Transparent scales allow measurement of all important heights and levels
• Models of hydraulic structures supplied include undershot weir (sluice gate) at the inlet, overshot weir at the outlet, sharp-crested weir, broad-crested weir (also used to create a culvert) and ogee weir
• Suitable for project work with alternative hydraulic structures (user created)
• Optional direct reading flow meter to aid setting up of demonstrations
• Comprehensive instruction manual supplied