MASS, ENERGY AND MOMENTUM BALANCES

MASS, ENERGY AND MOMENTUM BALANCES

THE GENERAL CONSERVATION LAWS

1. Mass Conservation
2. Total Energy Conservation
3. Momentum Conservation
For a system viewed as a whole, conservation means that there is no net gain nor loss of any of these
three quantities, even though there may be some redistribution of them within a system. A general
conservation law can be phrased relative to the general system shown in the figure, in which can be
identified:

1. The system V
2. The surrounding S
3. The boundary B, also known as the control surface, across which the system interacts in some
manner with its surroundings

The interaction between system and surroundings is typically by one or more of the following
mechanisms:
1. A flowing stream, either entering or leaving the system.
2. A “contact” force on the boundary, usually normal or tangential to it, and commonly called a
stress.
3. A “body” force, due to an external field that acts throughout the system, of which gravity is the
prime example.
4. Useful work, such as electrical energy entering a motor or shaft work leaving a turbine.

Let X denote mass, energy, or momentum

Over a finite time period, the general conservation law for X is:
 Nonreacting system
𝑋𝑖𝑛 − 𝑋𝑜𝑢𝑡 = ∆𝑋𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚

 For a mass balance on species i in a reacting system

𝑋 𝑖 𝑖𝑛 − 𝑋 𝑖 𝑜𝑢𝑡 + 𝑋 𝑖 𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 + 𝑋 𝑖 𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑦𝑒𝑑 = ∆𝑋 𝑖 𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚

CHE 153: MOMENTUM TRANSFER Engr. Sharona Barroga

MASS, ENERGY AND MOMENTUM BALANCES

The equation for the nonreacting system can also be considered on a basis of unit time, in which
case all quantities become rates; for example, ΔXsystem becomes the rate, dXsystem/dt, at which the X-
content of the system is increasing, xin (note the lower-case “x”) would be the rate of transfer of X into
the system, and so on:

𝑑𝑋𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚
𝑥𝑖𝑛 − 𝑥𝑜𝑢𝑡 =
𝑑𝑡

MASS BALANCE

The general conservation law is typically most useful when rates are considered. For nonreacting
system:

𝑑𝑚𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚
𝑚̇𝑖𝑛 − 𝑚̇𝑜𝑢𝑡 =
𝑑𝑡

Symbol Meaning
𝑚̇𝑖𝑛 Rate of addition of mass into the system
𝑚̇𝑜𝑢𝑡 Rate of removal of mass from the system
𝑑𝑚𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚 Rate of accumulation of mass in the system
𝑑𝑡 (will be negative for the depletion of mass)

Example:

The tank has a volume V = 1m3 and contains air that is maintained at a constant temperature by
being in thermal equilibrium with its surroundings. If the initial absolute pressure is Po= 1 bar, how long
will it take for the pressure to fall to a final pressure of 0.0001 bar if the air is evacuated at a constant rate
of Q = 0.001 m3/s, at the pressure prevailing inside the tank at any time? (Ans. 2.56 hours)

CHE 153: MOMENTUM TRANSFER Engr. Sharona Barroga

MASS, ENERGY AND MOMENTUM BALANCES

Steady-State Mass Balance for Fluid Flow

A particularly useful and simple mass balance—also known as the

continuity equation—can be derived for the situation shown in the Figure,
where the system resembles a wind sock at an airport. At station 1, fluid
flows steadily with density ρ1 and a uniform velocity v1 normally across that
part of the surface of the system represented by the area A1. In steady flow,
each fluid particle traces a path called a streamline. By considering a large
number of particles crossing the closed curve C, we have an equally large
number of streamlines that then form a surface known as a stream tube, across which there is clearly no
flow. The fluid then leaves the system with uniform velocity v2 and density ρ2 at station 2, where the area
normal to the direction of flow is A2.

The mass flowrate equation is 𝑚̇ = 𝜌𝑄 = 𝜌𝑣𝐴

The mass balance equation for nonreacting system:

𝑑𝑚𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚
𝑚̇𝑖𝑛 − 𝑚̇𝑜𝑢𝑡 =
𝑑𝑡

Under steady state condition ( no accumulation of mass balance):

𝜌1 𝑣1 𝐴1 − 𝜌2 𝑣2 𝐴2 = 0

𝒎̇ = 𝝆𝟏 𝒗𝟏 𝑨𝟏 = 𝝆𝟐 𝒗𝟐 𝑨𝟐

𝑪𝑶𝑵𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑼𝑰𝑻𝒀 𝑬𝑸𝑼𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵

where: 𝑚̇ = mass flowrate entering and leaving the system

For incompressible fluid: (density is constant)

𝒎̇
𝒗𝟏 𝑨𝟏 = 𝒗𝟐 𝑨𝟐 = =𝑸
𝝆
where: Q = volumetric flowrate

Solving for v2
𝑨𝟏
𝒗𝟐 = 𝒗
𝑨𝟐 𝟏

This equation illustrates that if the volumetric flowrate is constant in the tube in steady
compressible flow, the velocity increases as the section area decreases.

CHE 153: MOMENTUM TRANSFER Engr. Sharona Barroga

MASS, ENERGY AND MOMENTUM BALANCES

ENERGY BALANCES

Illustration:
dmin

dq dmout

Symbol Meaning
𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑛 Differential amount of mass entering the system
𝑑𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡 Differential amount of mass leaving the system
dq Differential amount of heat added to the system
dW Differential amount of useful work done on the
system
g Gravitational acceleration
m Mass of the system
v velocity
 density

By Convention:
 The work done onto the system is positive and the work done by the system is negative
 The heat added to the system is positive and the heat released by the system is negative

Observe that there are two transfers into the system (incoming mass and heat) and two transfers out of
the system (outgoing mass and work). Since the mass transfers also carry energy with them, a differential
energy balance results:

𝑃 𝑣2 𝑃 𝑣2 𝑣2
𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑛 (𝑈 + + 𝑔𝑍 + ) − 𝑑𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡 (𝑈 + + 𝑔𝑍 + ) + 𝑑𝑞 + 𝑑𝑊 = 𝑑 [𝑚 (𝑈 + 𝑔𝑍 + )]
𝜌 2 𝑖𝑛 𝜌 2 𝑜𝑢𝑡 2 𝑠𝑦𝑠

Overall Energy Equation

Steady-State Energy Balance

In the following, all quantities are per unit mass flowing:

𝑣1 2 𝑃1 𝑣2 2 𝑃2
𝑈1 + + 𝑔𝑍1 + + 𝑞 = 𝑈2 + + 𝑔𝑍2 + − 𝑊
2 𝜌 2 𝜌

CHE 153: MOMENTUM TRANSFER Engr. Sharona Barroga

MASS, ENERGY AND MOMENTUM BALANCES

For an infinitesimal small system in which differential changes are occurring, it can be rewritten as:
𝑣2
𝑑𝑈 + 𝑑 ( ) + 𝑑(𝑔𝑍) + 𝑑(𝑃𝑉𝑠 ) = 𝑑𝑞 + 𝑑𝑊
2

In an increase in internal energy, dU, which arises from

1. Frictional work df dissipated into heat
2. Heat addition dq from the surroundings
3. Work (-PdV) done by the fluid
𝑑𝑈 = 𝑑𝑓 + 𝑑𝑞 − 𝑃𝑑𝑉

𝑣2
𝑑𝑓 + 𝑑𝑞 − 𝑃𝑑𝑉 + 𝑑 ( ) + 𝑑(𝑔𝑍) + 𝑃𝑑𝑉 + 𝑉𝑑𝑃 = 𝑑𝑞 + 𝑑𝑊
2
dU d(PV)

Simplifying to the differential form of the mechanical energy balance with heat terms are absent:

𝑣2
𝑑𝑓 + 𝑑 ( ) + 𝑑(𝑔𝑍) + 𝑉𝑑𝑃 − 𝑑𝑊 = 0
2
where: 𝑉𝑑𝑃 = 𝑑𝑃/

For a finite system, for flow from point 1 to point 2:

𝑣2 2
𝑑𝑃
 ( ) + (𝑔𝑍) + ∫ − ∆𝑊 + ∆𝑓 = 0
2 1 𝜌

A steady-state energy balance for an incompressible fluid at constant density permits the integral to be
evaluated easily, giving:
𝒗𝟐 ∆𝑷
( ) + 𝒈∆𝒁 + −𝑾+𝒇= 𝟎
𝟐 𝝆

Generalized Bernoulli’s Equation

where: f = frictional dissipation

W = work done on (+) /by the system (-)
General Formula: W = -PdV

Note: f can never be negative, it is impossible to convert heat entirely into useful work
W (+) if fluid flows through a turbine and performs work on the event
(-) if fluid flows through a pump and has work done on it

Power ()

= rate of expending energy in order to perform work

Dimensions: ML2/t3
Units: Watts (W) 1W = 1 J/s
ft-lbf/s

CHE 153: MOMENTUM TRANSFER Engr. Sharona Barroga

MASS, ENERGY AND MOMENTUM BALANCES

The relations shown in the Table are available, depending on the particular context

Expressions for Power in Different Systems

SYSTEM EXPRESSION FOR 
𝑚̇ = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒
Flowing stream 𝑚̇𝑊
𝑊 = 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠
𝐹 = 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
Force displacement 𝐹𝑣
𝑣 = 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑇 = 𝑇𝑜𝑟𝑞𝑢𝑒
Rotating shaft 𝑇𝜔
𝜔 = 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑄 = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒
Pump 𝑄∆𝑃
∆𝑃 = 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒

Problems:

1. Air and coal are contained in the constant pressure cylinder (see illustration). This cylinder has a
frictionless weightless piston, so the pressure inside the cylinder is always exactly the same as the
pressure of the atmosphere. A small spark is now introduced causing the coal to burn. When the
burning is over, the piston has moved so that the volume of the contents has increased by 1ft 3.
The heat transferred to the surroundings was 42 Btu. What is the internal-energy change of this
reaction?

2. A steady flow power plant has its water inlet 15m above its water outlet. The water enters the
plant with a velocity of 3 m/s and leaves with a velocity of 10 m/s. What is the work done by the
plant per kilogram of water passing through it?

3. The figure shows an arrangement for pumping n-pentane (ρ = 39.3 lbm/ft3) at 25 °C from one tank
to another, through a vertical distance of 40 ft. All piping is 3-in. I.D. Assume that the overall
frictional losses in the pipes are given by:

𝑓𝑡 2 𝑣 2 𝑓𝑡 𝑙𝑏𝑓
𝑓 = 2.5𝑣 2 = 2.5
𝑠2 𝑔𝑐 𝑙𝑏𝑚

For simplicity, however, you may ignore friction in the

short length of pipe leading to the pump inlet.
Also, the pump and its motor have a combined efficiency of 75%. If
the mean velocity v is 25 ft/s, determine the following:
(a) The power required to drive the pump.
(b) The pressure at the inlet of the pump, and compare it
with 10.3 psia, which is the vapor pressure of n-pentane
at 25 °C.
(c) The pressure at the pump exit

CHE 153: MOMENTUM TRANSFER Engr. Sharona Barroga

MASS, ENERGY AND MOMENTUM BALANCES

BERNOULLI’S EQUATION

For simplifications, the following assumptions were made:

1. The flow is steady.
2. There are no work effects; that is, the fluid neither performs work (as in a turbine) nor has work
performed on it (as in a pump). Thus, W = 0 in the generalized Bernoulli’s equation.
3. The flow is frictionless, so that f = 0 in the generalized Bernoulli’s equation. Clearly, this
assumption would not hold for long runs of pipe.
4. The fluid is incompressible; that is, the density is constant. This approximation is excellent for the
majority of liquids, and may also be reasonable for some cases of gas flows provided that the
pressure variations are moderately small.

Under these circumstances, the general energy balance reduces to:

𝒗𝟐 ∆𝑷
( ) + 𝒈∆𝒁 + =𝟎
𝟐 𝝆

Bernoulli’s Equation

For flow between points 1 and 2 on the same streamline, or for any two points in a fluid under static
equilibrium (in which case the velocities are zero), Bernoulli’s Eqn. becomes:

𝑣1 2 𝑃1 𝑣2 2 𝑃2
+ 𝑔𝑍1 + = + 𝑔𝑍2 +
2 𝜌 2 𝜌

Head of Fluid (H)

A quantity closely related to energy per unit mass may be obtained by dividing the above equation
by the gravitational acceleration g:
𝑣1 2 𝑃1 𝑣2 2 𝑃2
+ 𝑍1 + = + 𝑍2 + = 𝐻
2𝑔 𝜌𝑔 2𝑔 𝜌𝑔

velocity + static + pressure velocity + static + pressure Total head

heads heads

𝑣1 2 𝑃1 𝑣2 2 𝑃2
+ 𝑍1 + = + 𝑍2 + = 𝐻
2𝑔 𝛾 2𝑔 𝛾
Dimension: L

CHE 153: MOMENTUM TRANSFER Engr. Sharona Barroga

MASS, ENERGY AND MOMENTUM BALANCES

Applications of Bernoulli’s Equation

Useful equation (Bernoulli’s equation):
𝑣2 ∆𝑃
( ) + 𝑔∆𝑍 + =0
2 𝜌

Tank Draining
Consider the figure shown, in which a tank is draining through an orifice of cross sectional area A
in its base.

If the orifice is rounded,

 the streamlines will be parallel with one another at the exit and the
pressure will be uniformly atmospheric there.
 There are no work effects between 1 and 2
 The fluid is incompressible
 Because the liquid is descending quite slowly, there is essentially
no frictional dissipation (unless the liquid is very viscous)
 The flow is virtually steady.

Hence, Bernoulli’s Eqn. can be applied between 1 and 2, giving:

𝑣1 2 𝑃1 𝑣2 2 𝑃2
+ 𝑔ℎ + = + 𝑔(0) +
2 𝜌 2 𝜌

But 𝑣1 = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑃1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑃2 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑡𝑚𝑜𝑠𝑝ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑐

𝒗𝟐 = √𝟐𝒈𝒉

𝑸 = 𝒗𝟐 𝑨 = 𝑨√𝟐𝒈𝒉

If the orifice is sharp-edged,

The cross-sectional area of the jet continues to contract after

it leaves the orifice because of its inertia to a value a at a location,
known as the vena contracta, where the streamlines are parallel to
one another. In this case, if Cc is the coefficient of contraction, the
following relations give the area of the vena contracta and the total
flow rate:
𝒂 = 𝑪𝒄 𝑨

𝑸 = 𝑪𝒄 𝑨√𝟐𝒈𝒉

the coefficient of contraction is found in most instances to have the value: CC = 0.63

CHE 153: MOMENTUM TRANSFER Engr. Sharona Barroga

MASS, ENERGY AND MOMENTUM BALANCES

Orifice-plate “meter”

The Bernoulli principle—of a decrease in pressure in an accelerated stream—can be employed

for the measurement of fluid flow rates in the device shown:

There, an orifice plate consisting of a circular disc with a central hole of area Ao is bolted between
the flanges on two sections of pipe of cross-sectional area A1.

Bernoulli’s equation applies to the fluid as it flows from left to right through the orifice of
a reduced area. Contracting stream is relatively stable so the frictional dissipation can be ignored,
especially over such a short distance. Hence, as the velocity increases, the pressure decreases. By
measuring the pressure drop P1 – P2, it is possible to determine the upstream velocity v1. Let v2
be the velocity of the jet at the vena contracta.

Bernoulli’s equation applied between pts 1 and 2, which have the same elevation (Z1 = Z2), gives:

𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣2 2
+ + 𝑔𝑍1 = + + 𝑔𝑍2
𝜌 2 𝜌 2

Conservation of mass between points 1 and 2 gives the continuity equation:

𝑣1 𝐴1 = 𝑣2 𝐴2

Elimination of v2
𝑃1 𝑣1 2 𝑃2 𝑣1 2 𝐴1 2
+ + 𝑔𝑍1 = + + 𝑔𝑍2
𝜌 2 𝜌 2 𝐴2 2

Then,
𝟐(𝑷𝟏 − 𝑷𝟐 )
𝒗𝟏 =
√ 𝑨 𝟐
𝝆 ( 𝟏 𝟐 − 𝟏)
𝑨𝟐

CHE 153: MOMENTUM TRANSFER Engr. Sharona Barroga

MASS, ENERGY AND MOMENTUM BALANCES

The volumetric flow rate Q is:

𝟐(𝑷𝟏 − 𝑷𝟐 ) 𝟐(𝑷𝟏 − 𝑷𝟐 )
𝑸 = 𝒗𝟏 𝑨𝟏 = 𝑨𝟏 = 𝑨𝟏
√ 𝑨 𝟐 √ 𝑨𝟏 𝟐
𝝆 ( 𝟏 𝟐 − 𝟏) 𝝆( 𝟐 − 𝟏)
𝑨𝟐 𝑪𝑪 𝟐 𝑨𝒐

However, Q can also be solved using the discharge coefficient, CD where:

𝟐(𝑷𝟏 − 𝑷𝟐 )
𝑸 = 𝑪𝑫 𝑨𝟏
√ 𝑨𝟏 𝟐
𝝆 ( 𝟐 − 𝟏)
𝑨𝒐

CHE 153: MOMENTUM TRANSFER Engr. Sharona Barroga