Virtual tour of the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford: Fluids lab
![Fluids tunnel with water flowing](/media/3226/headstart2013_fluids4156-crop.jpg?width=1920&height=520&rnd=133386329532800000&quality=75&format=webp)
Fluids Lab
Fluids Lab
Equipment includes 3 flumes, 2 wind tunnels, a Pelton wheel turbine, Francis turbine and 3 Hilton refrigeration rigs.
The wind tunnels were new in summer 2016, following refurbishment of the lab in the previous year.
Activities include:
- Thermofluids lab: a 2nd year lab consisting of two sets of experiments; one fluid mechanics involving air flow past model circular cylinders and aerofoils, and the other concerned with a practical refrigeration cycle. Both experiments are concerned with thermo-fluid processes that involve energy flows and energy conservation.
- 3rd year Hydraulics lab: To confirm the theory relating to the flow under a sluice gate, and the associated hydraulic jump, in a rectangular channel.
- Turbomachinery CAD coursework module using the Francis turbine. Evaluating the turbine efficiency for calculated runner blade angles (inlet and outlet), for a given operating condition. Evaluating the mechanism for controlling the guide vane angles.
- Fluids coursework module using the Pelton wheel turbine.
![1960s photo of engineer in a fluids laboratory](/media/3227/fluidslab1960s.jpg?width=950&height=460&rnd=133386329567400000&quality=75&format=webp)
The Fluids lab in the 1960s
![Large clear plastic machinery with several tubes](/media/3197/2nd-yr-thermofluids-ht-2017-_dsc2140.jpg?width=1200&height=850&rnd=133386329548500000&quality=75&format=webp)
![Side view of wind tunnel](/media/3276/2nd-yr-thermofluids-ht-2017-_dsc2490.jpg?width=1200&height=850&rnd=133386329557670000&quality=75&format=webp)
![Small wind tunnel in lab](/media/3277/2nd-yr-thermofluids-ht-2017-_dsc2498.jpg?width=1200&height=850&rnd=133386329539730000&quality=75&format=webp)
![Student using hydraulics lab equipment](/media/3278/3rdyrhydraulics_ht_2013_3378.jpg?width=1200&height=850&rnd=133386329533670000&quality=75&format=webp)
![Water levels in a lab](/media/3279/3rdyrhydraulics_ht_2013_3384.jpg?rxy=0.47619047619047616,0.55980861244019142&width=1200&height=850&rnd=133386329564530000&quality=75&format=webp)