Design and construction of a versatile test bench for non-stationary fluid systems

Abstract

To establish a versatile platform for research and education in fluid engineering and science, a specialized test bench was designed and built for the Universidad Metropolitana. This bench focuses on evaluating non-stationary fluid systems, prioritizing precise measurements of flow rate, pressure, and tank level. The development emphasized the selection of low-cost sensors and materials, underscoring the importance of reliable and accurate measurements. An algorithm was formulated in Matlab® for the systematic calculation of parameters. Automation was achieved using an Arduino Mega, with the Human-Machine Interface in Matlab® to facilitate operation. Rigorous testing demonstrated the bench's effective simulation of real-world conditions. Results, obtained through experiments and Matlab® analyses, supported the effectiveness and reliability of the developed system, contributing to research and education in fluid engineering and science.