Combined subjects: Fluid mechanics, Physics and Process chemistry, Mathematics, Introductory chemistry and Process Fundamentals engineering
-Questions required to check the calculated work of a canal company, therefore a set of data has been given to answer the questions provided.

Question 1
A canal operating company is proposing to build an inclined plane to lift boats between two points with a vertical height difference of 55m. Currently the boats have to travel a distance of 6km through 19 canal locks to achieve the same vertical height.
An example of a successful inclined plane at St Louis/Arzviller, in North East France, will be used as the model for the design. Details of this inclined plane are given in the following web sites:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Louis-Arzviller_inclined_plane
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Afg5pz23SZw
www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8zXeYJqM5U
The company proposes to lift a moving canal lock which has the same dimensions as the existing static locks on the canal. The lock is supported on 32 wheels across 4 axles which run on rails. The moving canal lock will be counterbalanced by two counterweights attached to the moving canal lock by two groups of 14 cables winding onto two winch drums at the top of the structure. The winch drums are powered by two electric motors which power the start of the lift and control the speed of the lock or counterweight in its descent.
Initial design work has been completed which proposes that:
When descending the incline the moving canal lock is 25T heavier than the total mass of the counterweights and when ascending the incline the moving canal lock is 25T lighter than the total mass of the counterweights.
The moving lock is sealed at either end by a solid steel plate forced onto neoprene seals by hydraulic rams exerting 5T pressure.

As an independent consultancy you have been employed to:
(i) check the calculation work of the canal company. You must present to the canal company a set of calculations to confirm :
(a) The linear length of the canal track associated with the proposed angle of the incline
(b) The velocity of the moving canal lock
(c) The water saving achieved per lift compared to original series of locks
(d) The cost of each lift
and
(ii) Design a solution to the worst case disaster situation where a barge carrying 300T of fuel oil suffers a catastrophic hull failure and empties its load into the moving lock.
Your solution must
(a) Have minimal impact on the surrounding environment
(b) Achieve minimal interference to the normal operation of the canal
(c) Allow >90% recovery of the fuel oil
(d) Include calculation to support the solution

Data / information
Vertical displacement 55m
Moving canal lock size 40.0m long, 6m wide, 3.5 m height allowing 0.5m of height above the water level
Mass of empty lock 300T
Density of water 1kg / m3
Angle of incline 24.25o
Electric motor power 90kW each (operating at 70% efficiency)
Transit time ascent and descent ) 4 minutes
Average displacement of loaded pleasure boat 20T
Average displacement of commercial barge fully laden, 400T including 300T of load
Pleasure boat average fuel consumption 0.2 litres /km
Laden commercial barge, average fuel consumption 10 litres /km
Fuel oil = dodecane C12 H26 , Density = 0.755g/cm3 , long term BOD high
Cost of diesel fuel to power barges and pleasure craft=£1.50 per litre
Cost to users of using incline plane =£0.1 per ton of loaded boat for each lift.
Cost to canal company of replacement water = £0.10 per m3
Cost of electricity £0.20 per unit (1 unit =1 kWh)
A duplicate moving lock (kept as a spare) is located 25m away from the incline plane at the same level as the bottom canal
Estimated capital cost of build £1.5 million
On average there are 10 lifts per day to carry commercial barge traffic and 30 lifts per day for pleasure traffic.
Also supplied (i) Moody diagram
(ii) Fluid mechanics formula sheet
(iii) Periodic table

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