Republic of Iraq

Ministry of Higher Education And Scientific Research

Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University
Technical Engineering College / Najaf
Department of Mechanical Engineering Techniques of Power

Lecture -04
Internal Flows (Laminar Flow)
Master of Thermal Technologies Degree (M. Tech.)
Advanced Fluid Dynamics

Dr. Dhafer Manea Hachim AL-HASNAWI

Assist Proof
Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University
Engineering Technical College / Najaf
email:coj.dfr@atu.edu.iq
 INTRODUCTION
The material in this chapter is focused on the influence of
viscosity on the flows internal to boundaries, such as flow in a pipe
or between rotating cylinders. The parameter that is of primary
interest in an internal flow is the Reynolds number:

We will consider internal flows in pipes, between parallel

plates and rotating cylinders, and in open channels in some
detail. If the Reynolds number is relatively low, the flow is laminar;
if it is relatively high, then the flow is turbulent. For pipe flows, the
flow is assumed to be laminar if 𝑅𝑒 < 2300 ; for flow between
wide parallel plates, it is laminar if R 𝑅𝑒 < 1500; for flow between
rotating concentric cylinders, it is laminar and flows in a circular
motion below 𝑅𝑒 < 1700 ; and in the open channels of interest, it
is assumed to be turbulent. The characteristic lengths and
velocities will be defined later.
ENTRANCE FLOW (laminar-flow)
– The comments and Reynolds numbers mentioned above refer to developed
flows, flows in which the velocity profiles do not change in the stream-wise
direction. In the region near a geometry change, such as an elbow or a valve
or near an entrance, the velocity profile changes in the flow direction. Let us
consider the changes in the entrance region for a laminar flow in a pipe or
between parallel plates. The entrance length L is sketched in Fig. below. The
velocity profile very near the entrance is essentially uniform, the viscous wall
layer grows until it permeates the entire cross section over the inviscid core
length L; the profile continues to develop into a developed flow at the end of
the profile development region.

The laminar-flow entrance region in a pipe or between parallel plates.

 • For a laminar flow in a pipe with a uniform velocity profile at the entrance,

Where V is the average velocity and D is the diameter. The inviscid core is about half of the
entrance length. It should be mentioned that laminar flows in pipes have been observed at
Reynolds numbers as high as 40 000 in extremely controlled flows in smooth pipes in abuilding
free of vibrations; for conventional pipe with a rough wall, we use 2000 as the limit for a laminar
flow.
For flow between wide parallel plates with a uniform profile at the entrance,

Where h is the distance between the plates and V is the average velocity. A laminar flow
cannot exist for Re ˃ 7700; a value of 1500 is used as the limit for a conventional flow.
 LAMINAR FLOW IN A PIPE
• The element of fluid shown in below can be considered a control volume into and
from which the fluid flows or it can be considered amass of fluid at a particular
moment. Considering it to be an instantaneous mass of fluid that is not accelerating
in this steady, developed flow, Newton’s second law takes the form
Applying the Navier–Stokes Equations
Quantities of Interest
• EXAMPLE 7.1 The pressure drop over a30-m length of 1-cm-diameter
horizontal pipe transporting water at 20 C is measured to be 2kPa. A
laminar flow is assumed. Determine a)the maximum velocity in the pipe,
b)the Reynolds number, c)the wall shear stress, and d)the friction factor.
 LAMINAR FLOW BETWEEN PARALLEL
PLATES
• Steady, developed laminar flow between parallel
plates (one plate is moving with velocity U)
 Applying the Navier –Stokes Equations
• The x-component differential momentum equation in rectangular coordinates (see
Eq. (5.18)) is selected for this steady, developed flow with streamlines parallel to
the walls in a wide channel (at least an 8:1 aspect ratio):
Quantities of Interest
Quantities of Interest
• EXAMPLE 7.2 The thin layer of rain at 20 C flows down a parking lot at a
relatively constant depth of 4mm. The area is 40 m wide with a slope of
8cm over 60 m of length. Estimate: a)the flow rate, b)shear at the
surface, c)the Reynolds number, and the velocity at the surface.
 LAMINAR FLOW BETWEEN ROTATING
CYLINDERS
• Steady flow between concentric cylinders, as sketched in
Fig. below, is another relatively simple example a laminar
flow that we can solve analytically.

Flow between concentric cylinders.

Applying the Navier –Stokes Equations
Quantities of Interest
• EXAMPLE 7.3 The viscosity is to be determined by rotating along 6-cm-diameter, 30-cm-
long cylinder inside a 6.2-cm-diameter cylinder. The torque is measured to be 0.22 m
and the rotational speed is measured to be 3000 rpm. Use Eqs. (7.62) and (7.66) to
estimate the viscosity. Assume that S=0.86.