AE 301 – Aerodynamics I – Spring 2015

Answers to Problem Set 3

1. (5 pts) Show (separately) how the integral and differential forms of the continuity equation
can be simplified for application to fluid problems involving: (a) steady flow, (b) steady,
incompressible flow, (c) unsteady, incompressible, two-dimensional flow, (d) steady, incom-
pressible, three-dimensional flow, (e) compressible, one-dimensional flow. In each case,
explain the physical meaning of the terms in the respective equations. Hint: You may find it
convenient to write down the integral and differential forms in parallel.

We are asked to first examine the integral form of the continuity equation. The general form
is ˚ ‹
∂
ρd V + ρ~V · d~S = 0
∂t V S

(a) Steady flow. In this case ∂/∂t ≡ 0 so that

‹
ρ~V · d~S = 0
S

(b) Steady, incompressible flow. In this case, ρ = constant so that we can write
‹
~V · d~S = 0
S

(c) Unsteady, incompressible, two-dimensional flow. In this case if the flow is incompress-
ible, even though it may be unsteady, then there can be no accumulation of fluid mass
within a fixed control volume. If the flow is two-dimensional then the surface inte-
grals basically become contour line integrals, e.g., the form of the applicable equation
integrated over the line L = L(x, y) with appropriate limits of integration is
‹ ˛
~V · d~S = (u nx dx + v ny dy) = 0
S L

(d) Steady, incompressible, three-dimensional flow. In this case we are back to a full sur-
face integral and we would integrate over the surface in three-dimensions using
‹
~V · d~S = 0
S

(e) Compressible, one-dimensional flow. In this case we must again retain the density in
the integral but if the flow is one-dimensional then the flow properties can change only
in one dimension, so for a fixed control volume with an inlet and and outlet defined
accordingly, by conserving mass we would end up with something like
‹
~V · d~S = ṁ = constant = ρ1U1 x1 = ρ2U2 x2
S
 Next, we are asked to look at the differential form of the continuity equation. The general
form is
∂ρ  
+ ∇ · ρ~V = 0
∂t
(a) For a steady flow then ∂/∂t ≡ 0, but we must assume that the flow is compressible
unless the problem lends itself to that assumption. So, we are left with
 
∇ · ρ~V = 0

(b) Steady, incompressible flow. In this case, ∂/∂t ≡ 0 and ρ = constant so that

∇ · ~V = 0

(c) Unsteady, incompressible, two-dimensional flow. In this case if the flow is incompress-
ible then the equation is
∂u ∂v
∇ · ~V = + =0
∂x ∂y
(d) Steady, incompressible, three-dimensional flow. In this case, we are back to three space
components without the time derivative so that

∂u ∂v ∂w
∇ · ~V = + + =0
∂x ∂y ∂z

(e) Compressible, one-dimensional flow. In this case we must again retain the density in
the equations because the flow is compressible and we will assume that the flow can be
unsteady, i.e.,
∂ρ   ∂ρ ∂u
+ ∇ · ρ~V = + =0
∂t ∂t ∂x

2. (5 pts) Show (separately) how the integral and differential forms of the momentum equa-
tions, can be simplified for application to fluid problems involving: (a) steady flow, (b)
steady, compressible, inviscid flow, (c) steady, incompressible, viscous flow, (d) steady, in-
compressible, inviscid, two-dimensional flow, (e) compressible, inviscid, one-dimensional
flow. In each case, explain the physical meaning of the terms in the respective equations.

First we are look at the integral form of the momentum (Navier–Stokes) equations. The
general form is
˚ ‹ ˚ ‹
∂ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
ρV d V + (ρV · d S)V = ρ f dV − pdS + ~Fµ
∂t V S V S

where ~f is the body force per unit mass and we have lumped all the viscous effects into the
term ~Fµ .
 (a) For a steady flow then ∂/∂t ≡ 0. So, the reduced form of the equations is:
‹ ˚ ‹
(ρ~V · d~S)~V = ρ~f d V − pdS + ~Fµ
S V S

(b) For a steady, compressible, inviscid flow then ~Fµ = 0 so:

‹ ˚ ‹
~ ~ ~
(ρV · d S)V = ~
ρ f dV − pdS
S V S

(c) For a steady, incompressible, viscous flow then

‹ ˚ ‹
~ ~ ~
ρ (V · d S)V = ρ ~f dV − pdS + ~Fµ
S V S

(d) For a steady, incompressible, inviscid flow then we would drop the viscous terms, i.e.,
‹ ˚ ‹
ρ (~V · d~S)~V = ρ ~f d V − pdS
S V S

and solve in this case applied to a 2-d control volume, i.e., across a surface lying in
a plane for a two-dimensional flow. This means that volume integrals become area
integrals per unit depth of flow and the surface integrals become line integrals per unit
depth that circumvent the path around the control surface.
(e) For a compressible, inviscid, one-dimensional flow then
˚ ‹ ˚ ‹
∂ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
ρV d V + (ρV · d S)V = ρ f dV − pdS
∂t V S V S

In this case we must again retain the density in the integral but if the flow is one-
dimensional then the flow properties can change only in one dimension so that we
would end up conserving momentum flow across 2 successive downstream planes in
the flow bounded by a control surface using something like

(p1 x1 − p2 x2 ) = (ρ2U22 x2 − ρ1U12 x1 )

Next, we look at the differential forms. The general form of the equations is

∂(ρu) ∂p
+ ∇ · (ρu~V ) = − + ρ fx + ( fx )µ
∂t ∂x
∂(ρv) ∂p
+ ∇ · (ρv~V ) = − + ρ fy + ( fy )µ
∂t ∂y
∂(ρw) ∂p
+ ∇ · (ρw~V ) = − + ρ fz + ( fz )µ
∂t ∂z
(a) For a steady flow then ∂/∂t ≡ 0. So, the reduced form is

∂p
∇ · (ρu~V ) = − + ρ fx + ( fx )µ
∂x
∂p
∇ · (ρv~V ) = − + ρ fy + ( fy )µ
∂y
∂p
∇ · (ρw~V ) = − + ρ fz + ( fz )µ
∂z

(b) For a steady, compressible, inviscid flow then ~Fµ = 0 so:

∂p
∇ · (ρu~V ) = − + ρ fx
∂x
∂p
∇ · (ρv~V ) = − + ρ fy
∂y
∂p
∇ · (ρw~V ) = − + ρ fz
∂z

(c) For a steady, incompressible, viscous flow then

∂p
ρ∇ · (u~V ) = − + ρ fx + ( fx )µ
∂x
∂p
ρ∇ · (v~V ) = − + ρ fy + ( fy )µ
∂y
∂p
ρ∇ · (w~V ) = − + ρ fz + ( fz )µ
∂z

(d) For a steady, incompressible, inviscid, two-dimensional flow then

∂u ∂u 1 ∂p
u +v = − + fx
∂x ∂y ρ ∂x
∂v ∂v 1 ∂p
u +v = − + fy
∂x ∂y ρ ∂y

(e) For a compressible, inviscid, one-dimensional flow then

d(ρu) dp
u = − + fx
dx dx
3. (5 pts) Consider the steady inviscid, incompressible flow of air through a converging duct.
The area of the entrance to the duct is 5 m2 and the area of the exit is 1.5 m2 . If the entrance
velocity of the flow is 20 ms−1 then determine the exit velocity. If a small bleed valve on
the duct is now opened to give a mass flow of 0.5 kg s−1 then calculate the new exit velocity
from the main duct.

With all of these types of problems we start with continuity equation in general form, i.e.,
˚ ‹
∂
ρd V + ρ~V · d~S = 0
∂t V S

If the flow is steady, which we are told it is and so we do not have to justify it, then
‹
ρ~V · d~S = 0
S

If ṁ1 is the mass flow rate at section (1) and ṁ2 is the mass flow rate at section (2) then we
have ‹
ρ~V · d~S = −ṁ1 + ṁ2 = 0
S
remembering that positive is when the flow is out of the control volume, or just

−ṁ1 + ṁ2 = 0

If the flow is incompressible, ρ = constant so

ṁ1 = ρA1V1 = ṁ2 = ρA2V2

or in terms of volume flow rates then

A1V1 = A2V2 = Q

where Q is the volume flow rate in units of m3 s−1 . In this case, Q =100 m3 s−1 and
 
A1
V2 = V1 = 66.67 m s−1
A2

If the bleed valve is opened giving a mass flow rate of ṁ3 = 0.5 kg s−1 then in this case
continuity gives us
−ρA1V1 + ρA2V2 + ṁ3 = 0
We assume the same inlet conditions so rearranging to solve for V2 gives
ρA1V1 − ṁ3 1.225 × 5.0 × 20.0 − 0.5
V2 = = = 66.39 m s−1
ρA1 1.225 × 1.5
4. (5 pts) An airplane moves forward at a speed of 971 km/hr. The frontal area of the intake to
one of the jet engines is 0.80m2 , and the entering air density is 0.736 kg/m3 . A stationary
observer estimates that relative to earth, the jet engine exhaust gases move away from the
engine with a speed of 1,050 km/hr. The engine exhaust area is 0.558 m2 and the exhaust
gas density is 0.515 kg/m3 . Estimate the mass flow rate of fuel into the engine in kg/hr.

In this case, we have a simple example of where the control volume is moving and we must
apply the continuity equation to the moving control volume, i.e., in a Lagrangian reference
frame. Again, we start with continuity equation in general form, i.e.,
˚ ‹
∂
ρd V + ρ~V · d~S = 0
∂t V S

If the flow is steady, for which it is reasonable to assume in this case based on the information
given, then ‹
ρ~V · d~S = 0
S
If we assume quasi-1-dimensional flow, we can evaluate the surface integral to get

−ṁfuel − ρ1 A1Vr,1 + ρ2 A2Vr,2 = 0

where Vr,1 and Vr,2 are velocities relative to the moving control volume. Therefore,

ṁfuel = ρ2 A2Vr,2 − ρ1 A1Vr,1

The intake velocity is just the velocity of the airplane, i.e., Vr,1 = 971 km/hr. Relative to the
fixed observer on the ground the exhaust gases move away from the engine at a speed of
1,050 km/hr so that the exhaust gases must be moving at a speed of 971+1050 = 2,021 km/hr
relative to the engine. Therefore, in the Lagrangian frame of reference then

ṁfuel = ρ2 A2Vr,2 −ρ1 A1Vr,1 = (0.515)(0.558)2021×103 −(0.736)(0.8)971×103 = 9050 kg/hr

5. (5 pts) Consider a two-dimensional flow in the x-y plane. The velocity components in this
flow are given by
Cy −Cx
u= 2 2
and v = 2
x +y x + y2
where C is a constant.

(a) Prove that this flow is physically possible.

(b) Find the equation of the streamlines.
(c) Plot some streamlines to show what the flow pattern looks like.
(d) If C = 0.2 find the velocity of a fluid particle at (x, y)=(1,2)
(a) The flow is physically possible if the flow components given satisfy conservation of
mass, i.e., they satisfy the continuity equation, i.e.
∂u ∂v
+ =0
∂x ∂y
In this case,
∂u ∂v Cy(−2x) −Cx(−2y) 2Cxy 2Cxy
+ = 2 + = − =0
∂x ∂y (x + y2 )2 (x2 + y2 )2 (x2 + y2 )2 (x2 + y2 )2
so it is a physically possible flow.
(b) The equations of the streamlines are found using
dy v −x
= =
dx u y
Separating the variables and integrating gives
ˆ ˆ
ydy = − xdx + constant

or
y2 x2
= − +C1
2 2
or
x2 + y2 = constant = C2
which for different values of C2 are concentric circular streamlines centered around the
origin.
(c) See below for a figure of the streamlines. These are created by setting the value of the
constant to successively larger values, i.e.,
p
y = ± C2 − x2 for C2 equal to a constant

It is easier to solve this problem in polar coordinates with x = C2 sin θ and y = C2 cos θ.
Note the direction of the streamline flow can be confirmed to the clockwise based on
the signs of the velocity components in each quadrant of the plot.
(d) If C = 0.2 then at point (x, y)=(1,2) we have
Cy (0.2)(2) −Cx −(0.2)(1)
u= = = 0.08 and v = 2 = 2 = −0.04
x2 + y2 2 2
(1 + 2 ) x +y 2 (1 + 22 )
so the velocity of the fluid particle is

V = 0.08~i − 0.04~j in appropriate units

i.e., downward and to the right.