Lesson 2 - Principles of Fluid Mechanics 1
This lesson considers the unique property of viscosity of fluids (gases and liquids) which allows them to flow. It explores the classification of fluid viscosity behaviour by so-called Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. It will also examine the nature of static fluids, which will include the concept of pressure and head. The lesson finishes with a discussion on the different types of instrumentation for measuring pressure.
Fluid Statics & Dynamics
Fluid statics and dynamics are two related areas of fluid mechanics that deal, not surprisingly, with the consideration of stationary or static fluids, and those which are moving (dynamics).
Static fluids are everywhere in a brewery as brewing is a process which, by its nature, takes place in tanks often under static conditions. For example, process water tanks, many brewhouse vessels, yeast tanks, fermenters, bright beer tanks, carbon dioxide storage tanks, and ammonia tanks can all contain fluids which are often static, or at rest.
Dynamic fluids are also everywhere within a brewery, and ironically are often the same fluids from the above section describing static fluids, just at different stages of processing! Examples can be liquids being pumped through a pipe, mash within a mash vessel undergoing agitation, and beer circulating within a fermenter at peak fermentation activity.
Let us consider fluid statics in some more detail.