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2.5.2 FLOW THROUGH A CIRCULAR

TUBE

Consider: Steady state, Laminar flow through a vertical tube length (L)
& radius (R) where L>>>R with fluid 𝜌 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝜇 = constant
Liquid flows is continuous downward under pressure difference and
gravity

1. Choose the suitable coordinate : cylindrical (z, r, θ)

Tips: select one of the axis to follow the direction of flow, (z, r, θ)
2. Visualize the flow and identify in which direction the velocity = zero
& which are not
𝑣𝑧 = 0? 𝑣𝑟 = 0? 𝑣𝜃 = 0?
𝑣𝑧 ≠ 0 𝑣𝑟 = 0 𝑣𝜃 = 0
3. Find out if this v ≠ 0 is a function of z, r or θ
Does vi changes with z ?
vi = f (z,r,θ) ? Does vi changes with r ?
Does vi changes with θ?
Note: would there be any changes to p with z, r or θ? Velocity profile
4. Identify the shell, which one will the thinner part?
(∆𝑟)

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 We consider then the steady-state, laminar flow of a

fluid of constant density ρ and viscosity μ in a vertical
tube of length L and radius R.
 The liquid flows downward under the influence of a
pressure difference and gravity; the coordinate system
is that shown in Fig. 2.3-1.
 We specify that the tube length be very large with
respect to the tube radius, so that "end effects" will be
unimportant throughout most of the tube; that is, we can
ignore the fact that at the tube entrance and exit the flow
will not necessarily be parallel to the tube wall.

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 We postulate that vz = vz(r), vr = 0, vθ = 0, and p = p(z). With

these postulates it may be seen from Table B.l that the only
nonvanishing components of τ are τrz = τzr = -μ(dvz/dr).

 We select as our system a cylindrical shell of

thickness ∆r and length L and we begin by listing
the various contributions to the z- momentum
balance:

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 add up the contributions to the momentum

balance

 Divide by 2 L∆r and take the limit as ∆r → 0,

we get

 rrz with respect to r:

 evaluate the components rz and zz from Eq.

1.7-1 and Appendix B.1.

 Integration:

 B.C 1

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 C1 must be zero, for otherwise the momentum flux

would be infinite at the axis of the tube:

 Substitute Newton’s law of viscosity:

 Integration:

 B.C 2

Finally, we get velocity profile/distribution:

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 From velocity profile, we can obtained:

Total volumetric flow rate

Area

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mass ρ × volume ρ Area Velocity

Mass Flowrate, 𝝎 = =
time time time

= 𝜌 𝜋𝑅2 𝑣𝑧

Po − PL
= 𝜌 × 𝜋𝑅2 𝑅2
8𝜇𝐿
Po − PL
= 𝜌𝜋𝑅4 Hagen-Poiseuille Equation
8𝜇𝐿

Force of fluid on the wetted surface of the pipe, 𝑭𝒛

Po − PL 𝑟
𝐹𝑧 = 2𝜋𝑅𝐿 𝜏𝑟𝑧 |𝑟=𝑅 𝜏𝑟 = Shear Stress Profile
𝐿 2
= 𝜋𝑅2 Po − PL Po= 𝑝𝑜 − 𝜌𝑔𝑧𝑜 PL= 𝑝𝐿 − 𝜌𝑔𝑧𝐿

= 𝜋𝑅2 𝑝𝑜 − 𝑝𝐿 − 𝜌𝑔 𝑧𝑜 − 𝑧𝐿

= 𝜋𝑅2 𝑝𝑜 − 𝑝𝐿 + 𝜌𝑔𝐿

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For circular tubes the Reynolds number is defined by:

𝐷 𝑣𝑧 𝜌
𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇
where D = 2R is the tube diameter.

We now summarize all the assumptions that were made in obtaining the Hagen Poiseuille equation.

(a) The flow is laminar; that is, Re must be less than about 2100.
(b) The density is constant ("incompressible flow").
(c) The flow is "steady" (i.e., it does not change with time).
(d) The fluid is Newtonian (Eq. 2.3-14 is valid).
(e) End effects are neglected. Actually an "entrance length," after the tube entrance, of the order of Le = 0.035D Re,
is needed for the buildup to the parabolic profile. If the section of pipe of interest includes the entrance region, a
correction must be applied. The fractional correction in the pressure difference or mass rate of flow never exceeds
Le/L if L > Le.
(f) The fluid behaves as a continuum-this assumption is valid, except for very dilute gases or very narrow capillary
tubes, in which the molecular mean free path is comparable to the tube diameter (the "slip flow region") or much
greater than the tube diameter (the "Knudsen flow" or "free molecule flow" regime).
(g) There is no slip at the wall, so that B.C. 2 is valid; this is an excellent assumption for pure fluids under the
conditions assumed in (f). See Problem 2B.9 for a discussion of wall slip.

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