Conservation Equations of Mass,

Energy, and Momentum

1. Basics and Kinematics of Fluids

2. Conservation of Mass (The continuity Eq.)
3. Conservation of Energy (The Bernoulli Eq.)
4. Conservation of Momentum
 Introduction
Flow Classifications
Real vs. Ideal
Laminar vs. Turbulent
Compressible vs. Incompressible
Steady vs. Unsteady
Uniform vs. nonuniform
Pressurized vs. gravity
Subcritical vs. supercritical
subsonic vs. supersonic
 Introduction
• Kinematics deals with velocities and flow path
without considering forces or energy.
Streamlines
 Streamlines
Airplane surface pressure contours,
NASCAR surface pressure contours volume streamlines, and surface
and streamlines streamlines
 Introduction
• This chapter deals with 3 equations commonly
used in fluid mechanics
– The mass equation is an expression of the
conservation of mass principle.
– The Bernoulli equation is concerned with the
conservation of kinetic, potential, and flow
energies of a fluid stream and their conversion to
each other.
– The momentum equation is a statement of the
conservation of forces principle.
 Conservation of Mass
• Conservation of mass principle is one of the most
fundamental principles in nature.
• Mass, like energy, is a conserved property, and it
cannot be created or destroyed during a process.
• For closed systems mass conservation is implicit
since the mass of the system remains constant
during a process.
• For control volumes, mass can cross the boundaries
which means that we must keep track of the amount
of mass entering and leaving the control volume.
Average Velocity and Volume Flow Rate

Volume flow rate is given

by

Q = VavA

• Continuity Eq.

Q = Vav1 A1 = Vav 2 A2
 Average Velocity and Volume Flow Rate

• For pipes with variable diameter, Q is still the same

due to conservation of mass, but V1 ≠ V2
D1

D2

V1 Q V2 Q

1
Average Velocity and Volume Flow Rate
Volume flow rate is given
by

Q = VavA
Integral must be replaced
with average values

Q = ∫ vdA
Differential form of the Continuity Eq.

Physically possible flow

∂u ∂v ∂w
+ + =0
∂x ∂y ∂z

Vorticitiy

∂u ∂v
− =0
∂y ∂x
 The Energy Equation
• If we have piping losses, and have a system without pumps or
turbines

P1V12 P2 V22
z1 + + = z2 + + + hL
γ 2g γ 2g

• This is the Bernoulli equation

V12
P1 P2 V22
z1 + + = z2 + +
γ 2g γ 2g
HGL and EGL
• It is often convenient to
plot mechanical energy
graphically using
heights.
• Hydraulic Grade Line
P
HGL = +z
ρg
• Energy Grade Line (or
total energy)
P V2
EGL = + +z
ρ g 2g
The Bernoulli Equation
• The Bernoulli equation is
an approximate relation
between pressure, velocity,
and elevation and is valid in
regions of steady,
incompressible flow where
net frictional forces are
negligible.
• Equation is useful in flow
regions outside of boundary
layers and wakes.
 The Momentum Equation
• Flow on a bend

Fx = ρQ(V2 cos θ 2 − V1 cos θ1 ) + ( p 2 A2 cos θ 2 − p1 A1 cos θ1 )

Fy = ρQ(V2 sin θ 2 − V1 sin θ1 ) + ( p2 A2 sin θ 2 − p1 A1 sin θ1 )

Section 2:

• Losses due to sudden enlargement

Section 1:

2
1 2V
hL = (1 − ) − − where − − − n = A2 / A1
1
n 2g
Drag
Flow Separation
Drag
Drag and Lift
• Fluid dynamic forces are
due to pressure and viscous
forces acting on the body
surface.
• Drag: component parallel
to flow direction.
• Lift: component normal to
flow direction.
 Drag and Lift
• In addition to geometry, lift FL and drag FD forces are
a function of density ρ and velocity V.
• Dimensional analysis gives 2 dimensionless
parameters: lift and drag coefficients.

• Area A can be frontal area (drag applications),

planform area (wing aerodynamics), or wetted-
surface area (ship hydrodynamics).
 Example: Automobile Drag
Scion XB Porsche 911

CD = 1.0, A = 25 ft2, CDA = 25ft2 CD = 0.28, A = 10 ft2, CDA = 2.8ft2

• Drag force FD=1/2ρV2(CDA) will be ~ 10 times larger for Scion XB

• Source is large CD and large projected area
• Power consumption P = FDV =1/2ρV3(CDA) for both scales with V3!
Effect of Foil Shape
• Figures from NPS airfoil java
applet.
• Color contours of
pressure field
• Streamlines through
velocity field
• Plot of surface pressure
• Camber and thickness shown
to have large impact on flow
field.