Reynolds Transport Theorem (RTT)

Connection between Eulerian and Lagrangian descriptions

• The fundamental conservation laws

(conservation of mass, energy, and
momentum) apply directly to systems.
• However, in most fluid mechanics
problems, control volume analysis is
preferred over system analysis (for the
same reason that the Eulerian
description is usually preferred over
the Lagrangian description).
• Therefore, we need to transform the
conservation laws from a system to a
control volume. This is accomplished
with the help of Reynolds transport
theorem (RTT).
 Approaches to study fluid motion
System: It is collection of matter of fixed identity (Closed System). 
The motion of an individual fluid particle or group of particles is studied as they move through 
space. The motion of a particle (an infinitesimal) is studied by considering an infinitesimal fluid 
element leading to differential equations thus the method is called differential approach. 
Advantages: Direct application of physical laws (Mass, momentum energy etc.)
Disadvantages: Mathematics associated with this approach can become somewhat
complicated, usually leading to a set of partial differential equations.

Control Volume: A geometric entity (fixed or moving, rigid or deformable) in space

through which fluid flows (Open System)
The study of a region of space as fluid flows through it. This is called integral method as a finite 
region is studied.
Advantages: It is easier to apply without the knowledge each individual fluid particle.
Disadvantages: The physical laws apply to matter and not directly to regions of space, so we 
have to perform some mathematics to convert physical laws from the system formulation to a 
control volume formulation.

Basic Laws for a System:
dm
 0 where msystem   dm    dV Mass Conservation
dt system m ( system ) V ( system )

 dP   
Newtons 2nd Law: F where Fsystem   Vdm   V  dV
dt system m ( system ) V ( system )
 System and Control Volume

outflow

System System
deformable
Mass remains constant

• A system is a quantity of matter of

fixed identity. No mass can cross a
system boundary.
• A control volume is a region in
space chosen for study. Mass can
cross a control surface. Mass does not remain constant

CV fixed,
nondeformable
Conservation of mass (system) Conservation of mass (CV)

dmsys mCV
0  mass inflow rate at inlet 
dt t
mass outflow rate at outlet

dmsys mCV
RTT connects  with
dt t
 Extensive and Intensive Properties
Let’s set a fundamental equation of physical parameters
B  m

where B: Fluid property which is proportional to amount of mass (Extensive property)

: B per unit mass (Independent to the mass) (Intensive property)

 
Examples a) If B  mV (Linear momentum): Extensive property

 
Then   V , (Velocity) : Intensive property

b) If B  1 mV 2 (Kinetic energy) : Extensive property

2
1 2
then,   V : Intensive property
2
 Proof for fixed/non‐fixed CV
At  t  t0  t
Regions I and II 
together consist CV

Regions II and III 
together consist 
System
System and CV coincide System is partially outside CV
dB BS  BS
 lim
t0 t t0
BS  ( BII  BIII )  ( BCV  BI  BIII ) and BS  BCV t0
t
t0
t 0 t0 t t0 t t0 t
dt sys

dB ( BCV  BI  BIII )  BCV t0

 lim t0 t

dt sys
t 0 t
Since the limit of a sum is equal to the sum of the limits

dB BCV t t  BCV (BIII ) (BI )

 lim  lim  lim
0 t0 t0 t t0 t

dt sys t 0 t t 0 t t 0 t
1 2 3
BCV  BCV BCV 
   dV
t0 t

t0
lim Fixed or non‐fixed CV
1 t  0 t t t CV
 Enlarged view of a typical subregion (subregion (3)) 
of region III
 
Area       is at an angle  
dA to its length   l

     
2 dBIII
t0 t
   dV  t t0
l  V t     
dV   l  dA  cos   l . dA  V . dA  t 
 
dBIII
t0 t
  V . dA t  
 
( BIII )  dBIII    
 V . dA t  
lim
t 0 t
t0 t
 lim
t  0
CS III

t
t0 t
 lim
t  0
CS III

t

CS III
  
 V . dA

( BI )  
3 lim t0 t
   V  .  dA 
t 0 t CS I

    
dB
dt
   dV    V . dA    V . dA
t CV CS I CS III
     
sys

  
dB
   dV    V . dA
dt sys t CV CS
  
 outflow

CS
 
 V .n  dA 
Control Volume
߲
න ߚߩܸ݀
DB ߲‫ ݐ‬஼௏

Dt sys

Reynolds Transport Theorem (RTT)

For an extensive property B and intensive property , RTT can be written as 
 
DB
Dt
dB
dt t CV CS
 
   dV    V .n  dA 
sys sys

Material derivative n is the unit normal vector to area dA

Converts system‐based description to CV‐based description for an arbitrary volume of 
fluid.
 Physical Interpretation of RTT
  
dB
dt
   dV    V . dA
t CV CS
  
sys
Rate of change of B  Rate of change Rate of efflux of B
of the system of B in the CV through the CS

The theorem can also be proved for moving /deformable CVs


B  m and   1
t CV
 dV  0 As mass is getting 
depleted with time

 
  
dB
dt sys
0 CS
 V . dA  0
 Moving and/or deforming CV
The absolute fluid velocity in the last term is replaced by the relative velocity 
  
Relative Velocity: Vr  V  VCS
  
dB
   dV    Vr . dA
dt sys t CV CS
  

For a CV that moves and/or deforms with time, the
time derivative must be applied after integration


Vr is the fluid velocity expressed relative to a 
coordinate system moving with the control volume.
 Relationship between Material Derivative and RTT
dB B 

dt t

 V . B 

  
dB
dt sys t CV
   
 dV    V . dA
CS

The RTT for finite volumes (integral analysis) is analogous to the material derivative for 
infinitesimal volumes (differential analysis).

Reynolds transport theorem can be thought of as the integral counterpart of the

material derivative.
In either case, the total rate of change of some property following an identified portion
of fluid consists of two parts:
(a) There is a local or unsteady part that accounts for changes in the flow field with time.
(b) There is also an advective part that accounts for the movement of fluid from one
region of the flow to another (compare the second term on the right‐hand sides).
Just as the material derivative can be applied to any fluid property, scalar or vector, the
Reynolds transport theorem can be applied to any scalar orvector property as well.
 Conservation of Mass for Fixed CV
  
dB
   dV    V . dA
dt sys t CV CS
   B  m and   1
dB
Principle of conservation of mass 0
dt sys
  
t CV CS
  
 dV    V . dA  0 Conservation of 
mass in integral form
  
Also for fixed CV:   
CV t   dV   CS  V . dA  0 Since dV is not changing
    
Steady Flow:      
CV t   dV   CS  V . dA  CS  V . dA  0
   V  
Incompressible Flow: CV
t
  
  dV   CS  V . dA   CS V . dA  0
t
  
 
  
CS V . dA  0 True for both steady and unsteady cases (fixed CV)
 
Uniform Flow over areas:   
 V . dA  0
Take a CV, such that the velocity and surface normal are either 0 or 180 deg apart (either same or in opposite
directions)
  
   
V . dA  0
  
   
V . dA  0
 Conservation of Momentum for Fixed CV
     
dB
   dV    V . dA
dt sys t CV CS
   B  mV and   V

 
d mV 
F
dt

 
sys
d mV      
  
Conservation of momentum 
 F   VdV   V V . dA in integral form
dt t CV CS
sys
  
F  Fs  FB

Fs : Surface force, all forces acting at the CS

FB : Body forces (Gravity, electromagnatic, buoyancy etc.)

Surface forces usually come from pressure, shear and interaction with solid
objects/surfaces.
 Conservation of Momentum for Fixed CV

       
F  Fs  FB   VdV   V V . dA
t CV CS
  
     
Steady Flow:
CS
  
F  Fs  FB   V V . dA

       
Incompressible Flow:
t CV CS
  
F  Fs  FB    VdV    V V . dA

     
Steady Incompressible Flow:
CS
  
F  Fs  FB    V V . dA