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Continuity Equation
Lecture 9

Some Definitions
Discharge or Volume Flow Rate: For variable velocity distribution: Mass Flow Rate: For variable velocity distribution: (cross section of area must be perpendicular to velocity)

System, Control Volume, and Control Surface

A fluid system is a continuous mass of fluid that always contains the same fluid particles. By definition, the mass of a system is constant. A control volume is some selected volume in space which can deform, move and rotate. Mass (i.e., particles) can flow into or out of the control volume. A control surface is the surface that encloses the control volume.

Tube of Flow

Tube of flow is an imaginary tube whose boundary consists of streamlines The volume flow rate must be the same for all cross sections of the tube of flow

Continuity Equation
One Dimensional
A stream tube is a tubular surface generated by a group of stream lines For the shown stream tube: Input volume Output volume = storage

Continuity Equation (cont.)

Continuity Equation

(cont.)

Assuming that there is no storage inside Input volume = Output volume

A1 ds1 = A2 ds 2 A1ds1 = A2 ds2

no change inside the tube ( steady condition )

ds1 ds2 A1 = A2 dt dt A1V1 = A2V2

Continuity Equation
1 1

(cont.)

is the same for incompressible fluid

AV = A2V
2

= constant =Q ( discharge )

Flow Rate & Mean Velocity

Flow rate is quantity of fluid flowing per unit time across any section Usually expressed as either:
volume flow rate or discharge (Q )
SI units m3/s, BG units ft3/sec ) mass flow rate ( m SI units kg/s, BG units slugs/sec

AV , and = Q = m = AV Q

Continuity Equation
Example 1

Gas flows at a steady rate in a pipeline which increases diameter from 150 mm to 200 mm. The upstream gas density = 1.75 kg/m3 and its velocity = 18 m/s, decreasing to 12 m/s downstream. Calculate the gas density in the 200 mm pipe section.

Solution
A1 = x 0.152 / 4 = 0.0177 m2, A2 = x 0.22 / 4 = 0.0314 m2
Continuity: 2 = 1 A1 V1 / (A2 V2) = 1.75 x 0.0177 x 18 / (0.0314 x 12) = 1.48 kg/m3

Continuity Equation
Example 2

Benzene (SG = 0.879) flows through a 100 mm diameter pipe at a mean velocity of 3 m/s. Find the volume and mass flow rates.

Solution Q = AV = ( x 0.12 / 4) x 3 = 0.0236 m3/s = 23.6 L/s = 1416 L/min = 0.879 x 1000 x 0.0236 = 20.7 kg/s = Q m

Conservation of Mass

In general, continuity equation cannot be used by itself to solve for flow field, however it can be used to
1.

2.

Determine if velocity field is incompressible Find missing velocity component

Mass Balance

Consider flow into and out of small fixed control surface of sides dx, dy and dz At any instant, mass in control volume = dx dy dz Rate of mass accumulation = rate of mass inflow rate of mass outflow rate of mass accumulation = m

Mass Balance

Rate of increase of mass in fluid element equals the net rate of flow of mass into element. Rate of increase is:

( dxdydz ) = dxdydz = m t t

Conservation of Mass

Differential CV and Taylor series

First, define an infinitesimal control volume dx x dy x dz Next, we approximate the mass flow rate into or out of each of the 6 faces using Taylor series expansions around the center point, e.g., at the right face
Ignore terms higher than order dx

Conservation of Mass

Differential CV and Taylor series

Infinitesimal control volume of dimensions dx, dy, dz

Area of right face = dy dz

Mass flow rate through the right face of the control volume

Conservation of Mass

Differential CV and Taylor series

Now, sum up the mass flow rates into and out of the 6 faces of the CV Net mass flow rate into CV:

Net mass flow rate out of CV:

Plug into integral conservation of mass equation

Conservation of Mass

Differential CV and Taylor series

After substitution,

Dividing through by volume dxdydz

Or, if we apply the definition of the divergence of a vector

Conservation of Mass
Alternative form
Use product rule on divergence term

Conservation of Mass
Cylindrical coordinates

There are many problems which are simpler to solve if the equations are written in cylindrical-polar coordinates Easiest way to convert from Cartesian is to use vector form and definition of divergence operator in cylindrical coordinates

Conservation of Mass
Cylindrical coordinates

Conservation of Mass
Special Cases

Steady compressible flow

Cartesian Cylindrical

Conservation of Mass
Special Cases

Incompressible flow
and = constant

Cartesian Cylindrical

General Continuity Equation

For steady compressible 3-D flow: For incompressible 3-D flow:

u v w + + = 0 x y z
( u ) ( v) ( w) + + + = 0 t x y z

For incompressible 2-D & 1-D flows:

u v + = 0 x y

and

u =0 x

General Continuity Equation

Examples Which of the following velocity fields satisfies conservation of mass (continuity) for incompressible 2-D flow?

(a) u = x, v = y (b) u = y, v = x (c) u = 2x, v = -2y (d) u = 3xt, v = -3yt (e) u = xy + y2t, v = xy + x2t (f) u = 3x2y2, v = -2xy3

General Continuity Equation

Examples - Solutions

u v For incompressible 2-D flow, + = 0 x y (a) u x = No 1 1 , v y = 0 , v y = 0 (b) u x = Yes 2 , v y = 2 (c) u x = Yes 3t , v y = 3t (d) u x = Yes
(e) u x = y , v y = x (f) u x = 6 xy , v y = 6 xy No Yes