Homework

LAMINAR VISCOUS FLOWS

Problem Conical Diffurer Laminar BL
Use the method of Thwaites to make an approximate analysis of a laminar boundary layer
on the inner wall of a conical diffuser of inner radius:
r0 = Ro (1 + x tan ! )

whose velocity distribution can be computed using the quasi-one-dimensional

approximation. Determine the axial position of the separation point as a function of the
relevant paramters.

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Homework

Solution
From Thwaites formula:

! 2 = 0.45

"
r U6
2
0

r02U 5 ds

where in the stated assumptions:

V!
V!
1
Uo
U= 2 =
2 =
2
! r0 ! Ro (1 + x tan " )
(1 + x tan " )2

x = s cos !
Therefore:
U=

V!
V!
1
Uo
=
2 =
2
2
! r0 ! Ro (1 + x tan " )
(1 + x tan " )2

U! = "

Uo tan #

2 (1 + x tan # )

and substituting:

! 2 = 0.45

x
"
dx
=
(1 + x tan # )10 $0
Uo cos #
(1 + x tan # )8
x

'
!
1 $
1
= 0.45
(1 + x tan " )10
&#
) =
Uo cos "
tan " %& 7 (1 + x tan " )7 )( 0
= 0.45

$
'
!
1
(1 + x tan " )10 &1 #
7 ) =
7Uo sin "
&% (1 + x tan " ) )(

= 0.45

!
(1 + x tan " )3 $%(1 + x tan " )7 # 1&'
7Uo sin "

Therefore:
U "# 2
0.45
'(1 + x tan & )7 % 1)
=%
*
$
14 cos & (
From the notes, at separation:

!=

!s = "

0.45 $
7
1 + x s tan # ) " 1& = "0.090
(
'
14 cos # %

which implies:
*$ 14 "s cos # ' 1 7 - 1
x s = ,& 1 !
) ! 1/
0.45 (
,+%
./ tan #

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