A versatile apparatus, based around a multi-stage, air compressor, designed to teach the concepts of compressible flow. The basic unit contains all that is required to demonstrate the fundamental principles, but also an accessory (C1-MKII-30) is available containing a number of interchangeable test sections to give a wider knowledge and understanding to the student.
A further accessory (C1-MKII-35) allows full compressor performance and characterisation tests to be carried out.
This new MkII version offers greatly improved flexibility and ease of use. It also benefits from electronic instrumentation avoiding the need for mercury manometers.

The Armfield Wind Tunnel provides a comprehensive facility for the study of subsonic aerodynamics. The performance of the tunnel and its instrumentation also make it suitable for simple research projects.

The Armfield Multi-Pump Test Rig has been designed to demonstrate the operating characteristics (head-flow curves and efficiency) of a series of different types of pumps, each having a broadly similar input power.
The rig can accommodate both rotodynamic and positive displacement pumps, and is supplied with the most common example of each type as standard (i.e. a centrifugal pump and a gear pump).
A range of other pump types is available as accessories, (including axial, turbine, flexible impellor, diaphragm and plunger, plus a second centrifugal pump for series/parallel demonstrations). Up to four pumps can be accommodated within the rig simultaneously for use within a single laboratory period, and each can be run without disconnecting any pipework or connections. Further pumps can also be interchanged straightforwardly by the customer, (but not recommended to be done by students).

The Armfield Multi-purpose Teaching Flume has been specifically designed to demonstrate the principles of fluid mechanics when applied to engineering structures in open channel flow.

The Armfield Fluid Friction Measurements unit provides facilities for the detailed study of fluid friction head losses which occur when an incompressible fluid flows through pipes, fittings and flow metering devices. The unit is designed for use with the Armfield F1-10 Hydraulics bench.

Pipe surge and water hammer are two related but independent phenomena which arise when fluid flowing in a pipe is accelerated or decelerated. The associated pressure transients can be damaging to pipework or components and systems must be designed to avoid or withstand them.
The equipment designed by Armfield clearly demonstrates the different effects resulting from gradual or instantaneous changes in fluid velocity (created by slow and fast valve closure). Effect of initial fluid velocity can also be investigated.
Pipe surge resulting from a gradual change in fluid velocity is clearly seen as fluctuating changes in head in a surge shaft.
Water hammer resulting from a rapid change in fluid velocity is clearly seen as large changes in pressure monitored using a pair of transducers and indicated using an oscilloscope.

The Armfield Laminar Flow Table has been designed to simulate ideal fluid flow and give clear visualisation of the flow patterns created using water as the working fluid. This enables a comprehensive investigation into the principles of potential flow and allows modelling of appropriate physical systems.

A common problem in pipeline hydraulics is the determination of the pressures and flows in a system of interconnected pipes, often known as a 'pipe network'. Such networks range from a single pipe to complex systems involving many pipes of different lengths and diameters, incorporating distributed off-tube and supply points. A town water supply is a good example of a very complex network. A good understanding of the behaviour of pipe networks and the ability to predict flow and pressure distributions are essential in the design of systems for the transportation of fluids.

A small, benchtop wind tunnel, with visible working section. A wide range of accessories and instrumentation options are available, allowing a comprehensive study of subsonic aerodynamics. The facility is suitable for undergraduate training and project work.