Process Fluid Flow (PFF260S)

Semester 1, 2021
-Dr. Buntu Godongwana
 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.1 Dimensions, Dimensional Homogeneity, and Units

• Fluid characteristics can be described qualitatively in terms of

certain basic quantities (primary quantities):

 Length (L)
 Mass (M)
 Time (T)
 Temperature ()

• These primary quantities can be used to provide a qualitative

description of any other secondary quantity.

Dr B. Godongwana, Semester 1 2
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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.1 Dimensions, Dimensional Homogeneity, and Units

Dimensions associated with common physical

quantities
FLT System MLT System
Acceleration LT-2 LT-2
Density FL-4T2 ML-3
Energy FL ML2T-2
Force F MLT-2
Power FLT-1 ML2T-3
Pressure FL-2 ML-1T-2
Specific heat L2T-2-1 L2T-2-1
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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.1 Dimensions, Dimensional Homogeneity, and Units

• All theoretically derived equations are dimensionally homogenous

(i.e. dimensions of the LHS must be the same as those on RHS).

• Some equations known to be valid contain constants having

dimensions, e.g. the equation:

𝑑 = 16.1𝑡 2

• The constant 16.1 must have dimension LT-2 for dimensional

homogeneity.

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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.1 Dimensions, Dimensional Homogeneity, and Units

• Complete the following exercises (Munson et al., 2006):

 Exercise 1.1; Exercise 1.2; Exercise 1.3; Exercise 1.4; Exercise1.5

 Exercise 1.6; Exercise 1,7; Exercise 1.8; Exercise 1.14; Exercise 1.17

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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.2 Measures of Fluid Mass and Weight

1.2.1 Density
• The density of a fluid () is defined as its mass per unit volume.

1.2.2 Specific Weight

• The specific weight of a fluid () is defined as its weight per unit
volume.

1.2.3 Specific Gravity

• The specific gravity of a fluid (SG) is defined as the ratio of the
density of the fluid to the density of water at 4°C.

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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.2 Measures of Fluid Mass and Weight

1.2.4 Class Exercise

Estimate the density of a mixture of 60% methanol and 40% water at

25°C. Given the following:
 Density of water 25°C 997.5 kg/m3
 Densitiy of methanol at 25°C 788.7 kg/m3

Dr B. Godongwana, Semester 1 7
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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.3 Ideal Gas Law

• Gases are highly compressible compared to liquids.
• The density is related to pressure and temperature by the following:

𝑝 = 𝜌𝑅𝑇

• Most accurate for monatomic gases at high temp and low pressures
• R = 8.314 J/mol K

• What is the density of air at 25°C at 1atm?

Dr B. Godongwana, Semester 1 8
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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.4 Viscosity
1.4.1 Definition
• Viscosity is a measure of the degree of “fluidity” of a fluid/or the
resistance that the fluid offers against deforming by a shear stress.

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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.4 Viscosity
1.4.1 Definition

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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.4 Viscosity
1.4.1 Definition
• The shear rate is directly proportional to the external force F

𝑑𝑣
𝐹∝
𝑑𝑦
• For equilibrium to occur the drag force is equal to the external force

𝐹 = 𝜏𝐴

• Viscosity is a proportionality constant (Newton’s law of viscosity)

𝑑𝑣
𝜏 = −𝜇
𝑑𝑦
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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.4 Viscosity
1.4.2 Newton’s law of viscosity

• Constitutive equation: relates flux to a concentration gradient

• Other constitutive relations (Fourier’s law, Fick’s law, Ohm’s law,
etc.)
• Applies to laminar flows of low molecular weight fluids.
• Applies to Newtonian fluids

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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.4 Viscosity
1.4.3 Fluid classification

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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.4 Viscosity
1.4.3 Fluid classification

• Shear thining fluids – apperent viscosity decreases with increasing

shearing. Examples???

• Shear thickening fluids – apparent viscosity increases with

increasing shearing. Examples???

• Bingham plastics – can withstand a finite shear stress without

motion, but once the yield stress is exceeded it flows. Examples???

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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)

1.5 Vapour pressure

• Vapour pressure is the pressure exerted by the vapour on the surface

of the liquid at equilibrium.
• Evaporation happens at any temperature above absolute zero.
• Boiling occurs when the vapour pressure is equal to or greater than
the prevailing atmospheric pressure.

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 1. Introduction (PFF260S)
Syllabus

 Introduction to Fluid Mechanics and its Basic Concepts

 Properties of Fluids
• Pressure and Fluid Statics
• Mass, Bernoulli and Energy Equations
• Flow in Pipes
• Losses in Piping System
• Piping Network and Pump Selection

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 References (PFF260S)

• Munson, B. R., Young, D. F., and Okiishi, T. H. 2006.

Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics. 5th ed. Wiley: New York.
• White, F.M. 1998. Fluid Mechanics. 4th edition. McGraw-Hill: New
York.
• Geankoplis. C.J. 1993. Transport Processes and Unit Operations.
Prentice Hall: New Jersey.
• Fox, R.W., McDonald, A.T. & Pritchard, P.J. 2004. Introduction to
Fluid Mechanics. 6th edition. Wiley: New York.
• Holland, F.A. 1995. Fluid Flow for Chem. Engineers. 2nd edition.
Edward Arnold: London.
• Welty, J.R., Wicks, C. E., Wilson, R. E. 2001. Fundamentals of
Momentum, Heat and Mass Transfer. 4th ed. John Wiley: New
York.

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 References (PFF260S)

• Perry, R.H., Green, D.W. & Maloney, J.O. (eds). 1998. Perry’s
chemical engineer’s handbook. 7th ed. McGraw Hill: New York.
• Anderson, J.D. 1995. Computational fluid dynamics: the basics
with applications. New York: McGraw-Hill.

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