CL 254: Process Fluid Mechanics 2022 (s1)

Tutorial 1: Due date – 17 Jan 2022, 23:59

1. The velocity distribution for laminar flow between parallel plates is given by
𝑢 2𝑦 2
=1−( )
𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑥 ℎ

Where ℎ is the distance separating the plates and the origin is placed midway between
the plates. Consider a flow of water at 15° 𝑐 , with 𝑢𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 0.10 𝑚𝑠 −1 and ℎ =
0.1 𝑚𝑚. calculate the shear stress on the upper plate and give its direction. Sketch the
variation of shear stress across the channel. Take 𝜇 = 1.14 × 10−3 𝑁 𝑠 𝑚−2

2. A flow field is given by 𝑣⃗ = 𝐴𝑥𝑖̂ + 2𝐴𝑦𝑗̂, where A = 2 s-1. Verify that the parametric
equations for particle motion are given by 𝑥𝑝 = 𝑐1𝑒𝐴𝑡 and 𝑦𝑝 = 𝑐2𝑒2𝐴𝑡. Obtain
the equation for the pathline of the particle located at the point (𝑥, 𝑦) = (2, 2) at the
instant 𝑡 = 0. Compare this pathline with the streamline through the same point.

3. The Blake-Kozeny equation for the pressure drop (𝑝1 − 𝑝2) in laminar flow of a
fluid of viscosity μ through a packed bed of length L, particle diameter DP and void
fraction ε is
𝑝1 − 𝑝2 𝜇𝑢0 (1 − 𝜀)2
= 150 ( 2 ) [ ]
𝐿 𝐷𝑝 𝜀3

(a) Giving your reasons, suggest appropriate units for ε.

(b) If 𝑝1 − 𝑝2 = 517 kPa, DP = 2.54 mm, L = 1.83 m, μ = 0.022 Pa.s and 𝑢0 = 0.03048
𝑚 𝑠 −1 , compute the value of ε.

4. The pressures at A and B are the same, 100 kPa. If water is introduced at A to
increase pA to 130 kPa, find and sketch the new positions of the mercury menisci. The
connecting tube is a uniform 1-cm in diameter. Assume no change in the liquid
densities. Density of water and mercury at 25oC is 997 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 and 13500
𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 respectively.
5. The Stokes formula for drag force F on a sphere of diameter D in a fluid stream of
low velocity V, density ρ, and viscosity μ, is
𝐹 = 3𝜋𝜇𝐷𝑉
For small particles at low velocities. F ≈ KV, where K is a constant.
Suppose a particle of mass m is constrained to move horizontally from the initial
position x = 0 with initial velocity V0. Show (a) that its velocity will decrease
𝑚𝑉0
exponentially with time and (b) that it will stop after traveling a distance 𝑥 = 𝐾 .

6. Panel BCD is semi-circular and line BC is 8cm below the surface. Determine
(a) The hydrostatic force on the panel
(b) The moment of this force about D.

7. A pipeline system carries crude oil of density 800 𝑘𝑔 𝑚−3 . The volumetric flow rate
at point 1 is 0.28 𝑚3 𝑠 −1 . The cross sectional areas of the branches 1, 2 and 3 are
0.012, 0.008 and 0.004 𝑚2 respectively. All the three branches are in a horizontal
plane and the friction is negligible. If the pressures at the points 1 and 3 are 270 kPa
and 240 kPa respectively, then calculate the pressure at point 2