CHE 303: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA

LECTURE SERIES: TWO

SHELL MOMENTUM BALANCES AND VELOCITY DISTRIBUTIONS IN
LAMINAR FLOW
The focus of this lecture will be to obtain the velocity profiles for laminar flows of fluids in simple flow systems. Such
flow systems as
a) Flow of a falling film
b) Flow through a circular tube
c) Flow through an annulus
d) Flow of two adjacent immiscible fluids
e) Creeping flow around a sphere
The mentioned profiles shall be developed using the shell momentum balance and suitable & necessary boundary
conditions. Later on, the class will be introduced to the use of equations of continuity and motion which can be used
as well to derive these equations.
By the orientation of the fluid layers, a flow is said to be laminar when the fluid layers move smoothly over one another
in the direction of flow. The flow is said to be turbulent, however, when the flow pattern is complex and time dependent
with considerable motion in the direction perpendicular to the principal flow direction.

Shell Momentum Balances and Boundary Conditions

The development of the expressions for the velocity profiles of the laminar flow cases listed above, except the creeping
flow case, shall be made by setting up momentum balance over a thin shell of the fluid.

 Rateof momentum in    Rateof momentumout    forceof gravity acting onthe system   0 ... ... ... 1

This is a restricted statement of the law of conservation of momentum, the statement is applied only to one
component of the momentum-namely, the component in the direction of flow. It is worthy to note that the
momentum consideration in the balance here involves the molecular and the convective momentum fluxes. Similarly,
the molecular momentum flux is the sum of the pressure and the viscous forces.
The procedure for setting up and solving viscous flow problems is as follows:

 Identify the nonvanishing velocity component and the spatial variable on which it depends.
 Write a momentum balance of the form of equation 1 over a thin shell perpendicular to the relevant spatial
variable.
 Let the thickness of the shell approach zero and make use of the definition of the first derivative to obtain the
corresponding differential equation for the momentum flux.
 Integrate this equation to get the momentum - flux distribution.
 Insert the Newtonian’s law of viscosity and obtain a differential equation for the velocity.
 Integrate this equation to get the velocity distribution.
 Use the velocity distribution to get other quantities, such as the maximum velocity, average velocity or force
on solid surfaces.

The constant(s) of the integration recommended above are better evaluated using suitable and sufficient boundary
condition(s). Boundary conditions implies the statements about the velocity or stress at the boundaries of the system.
The most commonly used boundary conditions are as follows:

a) At the solid-fluid interface, the fluid velocity equals the velocity with which the solid surface is moving, under
no-slip condition.
b) At the liquid-liquid interfacial plane, the momentum flux perpendicular to the interface and the velocity are
continuous across the interface
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CHE 303: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA
c) At the liquid-gas interface, the momentum flux in the liquid phase is very nearly zero and can be assumed zero
in most calculations.

Flow of a Falling Film

Considering the flow of an “incompressible”, or “simply a constant density- and constant viscosity-” liquid down an
inclined flat plate of length L and width W, shown below. It is essential to consider this as it has connection with wetted-
wall towers, evaporation and gas-absorption experiments, and applications of coatings.

a) Falling film experiment with end effects b) Shell of thickness ∆𝑥 over which a z-
momentum balance is made. The dashed-
underlined terms are not to be considered
since 𝑣𝑥 and 𝑣𝑦 as well as terms containing
these go to zero by postulations

Assumptions and postulations

 Neglecting disturbances at the edges

 W and L are large compared to the film thickness 𝛿
 𝑣𝑧 ≠ 𝑣𝑧 (𝑧) since viscous forces will prevent continued acceleration down the wall

Hence, it can be taken that 𝑣𝑧 = 𝑣𝑧 (𝑥), 𝑣𝑥 = 0 and 𝑣𝑦 = 0, then 𝑝 = 𝑝(𝑥). Similarly, from the generalized Newtonian
law of viscosity giving the relation of stresses 𝜏𝑖𝑗 to velocity gradients, in vector-tensor notation, in the fluids:
2
𝜏 = −𝜇(∇𝑣 + (∇𝑣)+ ) + ( 𝜇 − 𝜅) (∇ ∙ 𝑣)𝛿
3
The nonvanishing components of 𝜏 are
𝑑𝑣𝑧
𝜏𝑥𝑧 = 𝜏𝑧𝑥 = −𝜇( )
𝑑𝑥
Then for the thin shell shown above, setting up a z-momentum balance over the shell of thickness ∆𝑥, bounde by the
planes 𝑧 = 0 and 𝑧 = 𝐿, and extending a distance 𝑊 in the 𝑦-direction:

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rate of z  momentum in across the surface at z  0 : W x  zz z 0
rate of z  momentum out across the surface at z  L : W x  zz z  L
rate of z  momentum in across the surface at x :  LW  xz x
rate of z  momentum out across the surface at x  x :  LW  (xz ) xx
gravity force acting on fluid in the z  direction : ( LW x )(  g cos  )
Substituting into the momentum balance equation gives
LW (xz x  xz x x
)  W x(zz z 0
 zz z L
)  ( LW x)(  g cos  )  0

Dividing through by 𝐿𝑊∆𝑥 and taking the limit as ∆𝑥 tends to zero gives
 xz  xz x  zz z 0  zz
lim  x x
 
zL
  g cos  ... ... 3
x  0
 x  L
xz zz z 0  zz z  L
   g cos 
x L
Substituting for 𝜙𝑥𝑧 and 𝜙𝑧𝑧 which are expressed as

vz
xz   xz   vx vz      vx vz
x
v
zz  p   zz   vz vz  p  2  z   vz vz
z
In accordance with the postulates listed

d xz
  g cos 
dx
Integrating the differential form of the momentum flux  xz , gives

 xz  (  g cos  ) x  C1
Using the boundary condition for the gas-liquid interface, to evaluate the constant of integration: at x  0 ,  xz =0.
Hence, C1 = 0. Therefore, the momentum flux distribution is

 xz  (  g cos  ) x
Thus, substituting the Newton’s law of viscosity

dvz
 xz  (  g cos  ) x   
dx
Which becomes

dvz   g cos  
  x
dx   
Integrating

  g cos   2
vz     x  C2
 2 
The constant of integration can be evaluated using the boundary condition: at x   , vz  0 and simplifying gives
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CHE 303: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA
 g 2 cos    x  
2

vz  1    
2     
From the velocity distribution, other quantities can be calculated

i. The maximum velocity v z ,max is clearly velocity at x  0 ; that is,

 g 2 cos 
vz ,max 
2
ii. The average velocity vz over a cross section of the film is obtained as follows:

W 

  v dxdy
z

vz  0 0
W 

  dxdy
0 0

 g 2 cos  1   x    x 
2
1
  vz dx  0 1      d   
 0 2  
 g 2 cos  2
  vz ,max
3 3
iii. The mass flowrate is obtained from the average velocity or by integration of the velocity distribution
W 
 2 gW  3 cos 
     vz dxdy W  vz 
0 0
3
The film thickness can be evaluated from either the average velocity or the mass flowrate.
iv. The z-component of the force F of the fluid on the solid surface is obtained by integrating the shear stress
over the fluid-solid interface
LW LW
 
Fz     xz  dv
0 0
x 
dydz  0 0    dxz x 
dydz

  g cos  
 ( LW )(  )      g LW cos 
  
For falling films the Reynolds number is defined by

Re  4 vz  / 
Flow through a Circular Tube

The laminar flow of fluids in circular tubes may be analyzed by means of the momentum balance. Suitably, the
natural coordinates for describing positions in a circular tube such as a pipe of circular cross section is the cylindrical
coordinate system.

Considering the steady-state, laminar flow of a fluid of constant density  and viscosity  in a vertical tube of length
L and radius R. the liquid flows downward under the influence of a pressure difference and gravity; and taking “end-
effects” as unimportant throughout the tube.

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CHE 303: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA
Applying the postulates: vz  vz (r ), vr  0; v  0, and p  p( z ) . Hence, the nonvanishing components of are
 rz   zr   (dvz / dr ) . Selecting a cylindrical shell of thickness r and length L,

rate of z  momentum in across the annular surface at z  0 :  2 r r  zz z 0

rate of z  momentum out across the annular surface at z  L :  2 r r  zz z  L
rate of z  momentum in across cylindrical surface at r :  2 rLrz  r
rate of z  momentum out across cylindrical surface at r  r :  2 (r  r ) L  (xz ) r r  (2 rLrz ) r r
gravity force acting on fluid in the z  direction on cylindrical shell : (2 r rL)  g

Substituting into the momentum balance equation, simplifying, dividing through by 2 Lr and taking the limit as
r  0 , gives

 (rrz ) r r  (rrz ) r   zz  zz 

lim    
z 0 zL
  g  r
r 0
 r   L 
  zz  zz 
(rrz )   z 0 zL
  g  r
r  L 
Evaluating the components of rz and zz

 o L 
 rz   r
 2L 

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CHE 303: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA
vz
rz   rz   vr vz      vr vz
r
v
zz  p   zz   vz vz  p  2  z   vz vz
z

Considering the postulates above, since  vz vz will be the same at both ends of the tube

  ( p   g 0)  ( pL   gL)   o L 
(r rz )   o r   r
r  L   L 
Where  p   gz

Integrating, gives

 o L C1
 rz   r 
 2L  r
The constant C1 is evaluated by using the boundary condition: at r  0,  rz  finite . Consequently, C1 must be zero

 o L 
 rz   r
 2L 
dv
Substituting the Newton’s law of viscosity:  rz    z
dr

dvz  L 
  o r
dr  2 L 
On integration becomes,

 L  2
vz    o  r  C2
 4 L 
The constant C2 is evaluated using the boundary condition: at r  R, vz  0 , C2  (o L ) R2 / 4 L . Therefore,

(o L ) R 2   r 2 
vz  1    
4 L   R  

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CHE 303: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA
Using the velocity profile derived,

i. The maximum velocity v z ,max occurs at r = 0 and is

(o L ) R 2
vz ,max 
4 L
ii. The average velocity vz is obtained by dividing he total volumetric flowrate by cross-sectional area

2 R

  v rdrd
z
(o L ) R 2 vz ,max
vz  0 0
2 R
 
8 L 2
  rdrd
0 0
iii. The mass flowrate is the product of the density and the volumetric flowrate: product of density, cross-
sectional area and average velocity

 (o L ) R 4 
 (Hagen-Poiseuille equation)
8 L
iv. The z-component of the force, Fz , of the fluid on the wetted surface of the pipe is just the shear stress  rz
integrated over the wetted area

 dv 
Fz  (2 RL)    z    R 2 (o L )   R 2 ( po  pL )   R 2 L g
 dr  r  R
Note: The following are the assumptions that were made to arrive at the Hagen-Poiseuille equation stated above

 The flow is laminar (i.e. Re must be less than about 2100 )

 The density of the fluid is constant
 The flow is steady
 The fluid is Newtonian
 End effects are neglected
 The fluid behaves as a continuum
 There is no slip at the wall

Flow through an Annulus

Consider a viscous, steady state axial upward flow of an incompressible liquid in annular region between two coaxial
cylinders of radii 𝜅𝑅 and 𝑅 as shown below.

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CHE 303: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA

Same postulates as of the case of flow through a cylindrical tube are still useful in this case:
vz  vz (r ), vr  0; v  0, and p  p( z ) .

Then, momentum balance over a thin cylindrical shell of liquid will give

  ( p   g 0)  ( pL   gL)   o L 
(r rz )   o r   r
r  L   L 
Here,  p   gz , since the coordinate z is in the direction opposed to gravity. Integrating gives

 o L  C1
 rz   r 
 2L  r

A certain fact about this current flow case is that the velocity is maximum at somewhere at r   R . Hence,
momentum flux will be zero at r   R .

 o L  C1
 rz  0   R 
 2L  R
Solving for C1 and substituting gives

(o L ) R  r  2  R 
 rz        
2L  R   r 

dvz
Substituting Newton’s law of viscosity,  rz    , gives
dr

( L ) R 2  r  2 r 
vz   o    2 ln    C2 
2

4 L  R  R 
To evaluate the constants  and C1 , using he no-slip condition on each solid boundary:

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CHE 303: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA
at r   R, vz  0
at r  R, vz  0
Substitution of these boundary conditions gives the simultaneous equations
0   2  2 2 ln   C2 ; 0  1  C2
1  2
 C2  1; 2 2 
 
ln 1

Substituting into the momentum flux distribution and the velocity distribution expressions gives

 
(o L ) R  r  1   2  R 
 rz  
2L  R  2 ln 1  r    
  

 
(o L ) R 2   r  1  2
2
 R 
vz   1 
  R  ln 1
ln  
4 L
 
 r 
  
Hence,

i. The maximum velocity is

(o L ) R 2
vz ,max  vz  1   2 (1  ln  2 ) 
r  R
4 L
1  2
2 
 
where
ln 1
ii. The average velocity is given by
2 R

  v rdrd
z 
(o L ) R 2 1   4 1   2

vz  0 R
  
2 R

  rdrd
8 L 1   2 ln 1
    

0 R
iii. The mass rate of flow is

 
 (o L ) R 4   (1   2 ) 2 
   R (1   )  vz 
2 2
(1   2 ) 
8 L 

ln 1 
   
iv. The force exerted by the fluid on the solid surface is obtained by summing the forces acting on the inner
and outer cylinders, as follows:

Fz  (2 RL)( rz r  R
)  (2 RL)( rz r R
)   R 2 (1   2 )(o L )

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CHE 303: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA
Flow of two Adjacent Immiscible Fluids

Having considered, so far flow situations with solid-fluid and liquid-gas boundaries, another possibility is the case of
liquid-liquid interface.

Two immiscible, incompressible liquids are flowing in the z direction in a horizontal thin slit of length L and width W
under the influence of a horizontal pressure gradient (po - p,)/L. The fluid flow rates are adjusted so that the slit is half
filled with fluid I (the more dense phase) and half filled with fluid I1 (the less dense phase). The fluids are flowing
sufficiently slowly that no instabilities occur-that is, that the interface remains exactly planar. It is desired to find the
momentum-flux and velocity distributions.
A differential momentum balance leads to the following differential equation for the momentum flux:
d xz po  pL

dx L

Integration of the equation for the phase I and phase II of the fluid gives
 po  pL 
 xzI    x  C1
I

 L 
 p  pL 
 xzII   o  x  C1
II

 L 
Using the boundary condition: at x  0,  xz   xz (i.e. momentum flux is continuous through the fluid-fluid
I II

I
interface). This results in C1 = C1II = C1 . Substituting the Newton’s law of viscosity gives
dvzI  po  pL 
 I   x  C1
dx  L 
dv II  p  pL 
  II z   o  x  C1
dx  L 
Integrating
p p  C
vzI    o I L  x 2  1I x  C2I
 2 L  
p p  C
vzII    o II L  x 2  II1 x  C2II
 2 L  

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