SOLTEQ ® EQUIPMENT FOR ENGINEERING EDUCATION AND RESEARCH

OPERATIONS MANUAL

HYDRAULIC
BENCH
MODEL: FM110

SOLUTION ENGINEERING SDN. BHD.

PT 13796, JALAN TEKNO USAHAWAN 2,
TECHNOLOGY PARK MALAYSIA, 57000 KUALA LUMPUR,
FEDERAL TERRITORY OF KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA.
TEL: +603-2780 3890 / +603-2780 3891
E-MAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.solution.com.my

1158-0923-FM
SOLTEQ® HYDRAULIC BENCH (Model: FM110)

Table of Contents

Page

List of Figures.............................................................................................................................. i

1.0 INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................... 1

2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................... 2

2.1 Unit Assembly ..................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Specifications ...................................................................................................... 4
2.3 Overall Dimensions ............................................................................................. 4
2.4 Utilities Requirements ......................................................................................... 4

3.0 GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURE…………………………………………………... 5

3.1 General Start-Up Procedures .............................................................................. 5
3.2 General Shut-Down Procedures.......................................................................... 5
3.3 Volumetric Flow Rate Measurement Procedures ................................................ 5

4.0 EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE ...................................................................................... 6

5.0 SAFETY PRECAUTION ............................................................................................... 6

SOLTEQ® HYDRAULIC BENCH (Model: FM110)

List of Figures

Page

Figure 1 Unit Construction for Hydraulic Bench (Model: FM110) 3

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SOLTEQ® HYDRAULIC BENCH (Model: FM110)

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This SOLTEQ® Hydraulic Bench (Model: FM110) has been designed to complement a
wide range of equipment and accessories for experiments on the subject of fluid mechanics.
The unit consists of upper and lower molding mounted on top of a stainless-steel frame
fitted with lockable castor wheels. The moldings are made of fiber-reinforced plastic for its
light weight and corrosion resistant properties. An open channel volumetric flow measuring
section is incorporated in the bench.

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SOLTEQ® HYDRAULIC BENCH (Model: FM110)

2.0 GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The SOLTEQ® Hydraulic Bench (Model: FM110) consists of a sump tank, volumetric tank
and a centrifugal pump. Water is stored in a sump tank located in the lower part of the
bench. The centrifugal pump functions to draw the water from the sump tank through a
control valve to an outlet in the bed of the open channel. A flexible hose may be used to
connect this outlet to an equipment or test unit.

After passing through the equipment, water is led into the volumetric tank which is stepped
to accommodate high and low flow rates. The volumetric tank incorporates a drain port and
level sight tube with a calibrated volumetric scale. A plug can be placed into the drain port
for volumetric flow rate measurements. An overflow opening at the top of the plug allows
water to be drained into the sump tank below in case the unit is unattended while the port is
plugged. A drain valve accessible from the back allows water to be drained from the sump
tank if the hydraulic bench will not be used for an extended period.

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SOLTEQ® HYDRAULIC BENCH (Model: FM110)

2.1 Unit Assembly

1 6

2
7
3
8
4

9
5
10

11

Figure 1: Unit Construction for Hydraulic Bench (Model: FM110)

Table 1: Main Components of Hydraulic Bench (Model: FM110)

1. Open Channel 7. Volumetric Tank

2. Working Bench 8. Level Sight Tube
3. Main Switch 9. Sump Tank
4. Flow Control Valve 10. Drain Valve
5. Centrifugal Pump 11. Lockable Castor Wheel
6. Plug

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SOLTEQ® HYDRAULIC BENCH (Model: FM110)

2.2 Specifications

The SOLTEQ® Hydraulic Bench (Model: FM110) comes complete with the
followings:

a. Sump Tank
Water reservoir tank. Strong, light weight and corrosion resistant. Comes with a
drain valve accessible from the back of the unit.
Material : Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP)
Capacity : 120 Litres

b. Volumetric Tank
Volumetric flow rate measurement tank. Strong, light weight and corrosion
resistant. Comes with a level sight tube with a calibrated volumetric scale.
Material : Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP)
Capacity : 85 Litres

c. Centrifugal Pump
Delivery pump activated with a manual on-off switch and flow rate regulated
with a diaphragm valve.
Material : Stainless Steel
Motor : 0.55 kW / 50 Hz / 1-phase
Capacity : 80 LPM

2.3 Overall Dimensions

Length: 1.30 m
Width: 0.80 m
Height: 1.05 m

2.4 Utilities Requirements

Electrical : 220-240VAC/1-phase/50Hz

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SOLTEQ® HYDRAULIC BENCH (Model: FM110)

3.0 GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURE

3.1 General Start-Up Procedures

1. Ensure the hydraulic bench is located on level ground and lock the castor
wheels.
2. Fill water into the sump tank until approximately 80% full.
3. Connect the water supply to any SOLTEQ® fluid mechanics series equipment
with the appropriate connector and flexible hose. Then, secure the hose end
firmly with hose clips.
4. Lead any drain hose from the test equipment into the volumetric tank. Ensure
the flow control valve is fully closed.
5. Connect the main input power supply plug to the nearest single-phase electrical
supply of 220-240VAC/1-phase/50HZ.
6. Switch on the main power supply.
7. Then, switch on the pump switch.
8. The centrifugal pump will have to be primed each time the sump tank is fully
drained. To prime the pump, follow the steps below:
i. With the pump switched on, loosen the air bleed screw on the pump
housing.
ii. Allow any trapped air to be released, until water starts to bleed out.
iii. Re-tighten the screw until there is no leakage.
9. Gradually open the flow control valve to allow water to flow through the test unit
and expel all air in the system.
10. The hydraulic bench and test unit is now ready for experiments.

3.2 General Shut-Down Procedures

1. Fully close the flow control valve and switch off the pump switch.
2. Switch off the main power supply.
3. Retain the water for next use, or fully drain the sump tank if the unit will not be
used for an extended period of time.

3.3 Volumetric Flow Rate Measurement Procedures

1. Ensure constant flow of water through the unit and drainage into the volumetric
tank.
2. Prepare a stopwatch.
3. Plug the volumetric tank drain port.
4. Observe the rise of water level through the level sight tube.
5. Decide on a desired volume to be collected and measure the time taken to
obtain this volume. With this, the volumetric flow rate can be calculated.
a) For example, start the stopwatch when the water level reaches 4L.
This is to create a buffer volume in order to increase accuracy as water
cannot be completely drained from the volumetric tank due to
continuous flow.
b) Stop the stopwatch when the water level reaches 8L. This gives a total
of 4L of water collected within the measured time.
c) The volumetric flow rate, Q, can then be calculated with the formula:

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SOLTEQ® HYDRAULIC BENCH (Model: FM110)

𝑉
𝑄=
𝑡
d) Where, V = volume of water collected, L
t = time taken to achieve the specific volume, s
e) Repeat the measurement for increased accuracy.

4.0 EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE

1. Only properly trained staff shall be allowed to carry out any servicing.
2. Always check and rectify any leaks.
3. Drain all water from the sump tank if the hydraulic bench is not used for an extended
period of time.
4. Clean and wipe the working surface of the bench after use.
5. Always restore the unit to working condition after any maintenance or cleaning work.

5.0 SAFETY PRECAUTION

1. The unit should be operated under the supervision of an authorised staff who has been
properly trained to handle the unit.
2. All operating instructions supplied with the unit must be carefully read and understood
before attempting to operate the unit.
3. Do not leave the equipment unattended during operation or experiments.
4. The unit must not be subjected to shock, sudden impact, excessive vibration or
additional load.
5. In the case of flexible hose used to connect the water supply port to an equipment,
always secure the connection with a hose clip.