BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2B.

8 Page 1 of 5

Problem 2B.8
Analysis of a capillary flowmeter (see Fig. 2B.8).

Determine the rate of flow (in lbm /hr) through the capillary flow meter shown in the figure. The
fluid flowing in the inclined tube is water at 20°C, and the manometer fluid is carbon
tetrachloride (CCl4 ) with density 1.594 g/cm3 . The capillary diameter is 0.010 in. Note:
Measurements of H and L are sufficient to calculate the flow rate; θ need not be measured. Why?

Solution

For the capillary flow meter, choose a cylindrical coordinate system with the positive z-direction
pointing in the direction of the flow. The fluid velocity is assumed to vary as a function of radius
r.
vz = vz (r)
As a result, only φrz (the z-momentum in the positive r-direction) and φzz (the z-momentum in
the positive z-direction) contribute to the momentum balance. Figure 1 on the next page shows
the shell the momentum balance is made over.

Rate of z-momentum into the shell at z = 0: (2πr∆r)φzz |z=0

Rate of z-momentum out of the shell at z = L: (2πr∆r)φzz |z=L
Rate of z-momentum into the shell at r: (2πrL)φrz |r
Rate of z-momentum out of the shell at r + ∆r: [2π(r + ∆r)L]φrz |r+∆r
Component of gravitational force on the shell in z-direction: (2πr∆rL)ρg sin θ
If we assume steady flow, then the momentum balance is
Rate of momentum in − Rate of momentum out + Force of gravity = 0.
Considering only the z-component, we have
(2πr∆r)φzz |z=0 − (2πr∆r)φzz |z=L + (2πrL)φrz |r − [2π(r + ∆r)L]φrz |r+∆r + (2πr∆rL)ρg sin θ = 0.

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2B.8 Page 2 of 5

Figure 1: This is the shell over which the momentum balance is made for fluid going through the
capillary flow meter.

Factor the left side.

−2πr∆r( φzz |z=L − φzz |z=0 ) − 2πL[ (r + ∆r)φrz |r+∆r − rφrz |r ] + 2πr∆rLρg sin θ = 0

Divide both sides by 2π∆rL.

φzz |z=L − φzz |z=0 (r + ∆r)φrz |r+∆r − rφrz |r

−r − + ρgr sin θ = 0
L ∆r
Take the limit as ∆r → 0.
φzz |z=L − φzz |z=0 (r + ∆r)φrz |r+∆r − rφrz |r
−r − lim + ρgr sin θ = 0
L ∆r→0 ∆r
The second term is the definition of the first derivative of rφrz .

φzz |z=L − φzz |z=0 d

−r − (rφrz ) + ρgr sin θ = 0
L dr
Now substitute the expressions for φrz and φzz .

φrz = τrz + 
ρv
rv
 z = τrz
2
φzz = pδzz + H
τzz
H + ρvz vz = p + ρvz

Since vz does not depend on z, the ρvz2 terms cancel.


2 

2 
p|z=L +  z z=L − p|z=0 − 
ρv ρv
z z=0 d
−r − (rτrz ) + ρgr sin θ = 0
L dr
Make it so that ρgr sin θ is in the fraction.

p|z=L − p|z=0 − ρgL sin θ d

−r − (rτrz ) = 0
L dr

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2B.8 Page 3 of 5

From the schematic in Fig. 2B.8, we see that h = L sin θ. It is here where θ disappears from the
equation; hence, it does not need to be measured.

p|z=L − p|z=0 − ρgh d

−r − (rτrz ) = 0
L dr
So we have
d ρgh + ( p|z=0 − p|z=L )
(rτrz ) = r.
dr L
It is thanks to the manometer underneath the capillary that the principles of fluid statics can be
applied to compute the quantity in the numerator. Let

ρ = the density of water

ρC = the density of CCl4
H 0 = the distance between points B and C in Fig. 2B.8.

D and E are at the same height in the CCl4 ; thus, the pressures at these levels must be equal.

p| + ρgH 0 + ρC gH = p|z=0 + ρgh + ρgH 0 + ρgH

| z=L {z } | {z }
pressure at D pressure at E

The ρgH 0 terms cancel, so the distance between points B and C is not needed. Solve this
equation for the quantity in the numerator

ρgh + p|z=0 − p|z=L = (ρC − ρ)gH

and substitute it into the differential equation.

d (ρC − ρ)gH
(rτrz ) = r
dr L
From Newton’s law of viscosity we know that τrz = −µ(dvz /dr), so
 
d dvz (ρC − ρ)gH
−µr = r.
dr dr L

We thus have a differential equation for the velocity distribution in the capillary. The boundary
conditions for it are obtained from the assumptions that the velocity is maximum furthest from
the wall (at r = 0) and that no slipping occurs between the fluid and the wall (at r = R).

dvz
B.C. 1 : = 0 when r = 0
dr
B.C. 2 : vz = 0 when r = R

Integrate both sides of the differential equation with respect to r.

dvz (ρC − ρ)gH 2

−µr = r + C1
dr 2L
Apply the first boundary condition now to determine C1 .

dvz  (ρC − ρ)gH 2
−µ(0) = (0) + C1 → 0 = C1
dr r=0
 2L

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2B.8 Page 4 of 5

Divide both sides by −µr.

dvz (ρC − ρ)gH
=− r
dr 2µL
Integrate both sides of the differential equation with respect to r once more.

(ρC − ρ)gH 2
vz (r) = − r + C2
4µL
Apply the second boundary condition now to determine C2 .

(ρC − ρ)gH 2 (ρC − ρ)gH 2

vz (R) = − R + C2 = 0 → C2 = R
4µL 4µL
With the constants of integration in hand, the velocity distribution is known.

(ρC − ρ)gH 2 (ρC − ρ)gH 2

vz (r) = − r + R
4µL 4µL
(ρC − ρ)gH 2
= (R − r2 )
4µL
This result can be used to obtain the mass rate of flow w.
dm d(ρV ) dV
w= = =ρ
dt dt dt
The volumetric flow dV /dt is equal to the average velocity in the capillary times its
cross-sectional area.
w = ρhvz i · πR2
The average velocity is found by integrating vz over the area of the cross-section and then
dividing by that area.
 ˆ 
1 2
w=ρ 2
vz dA ·  πR 

πR
ˆ R


=ρ vz (2πr dr)
0
ˆ R
= 2πρ rvz dr
0
ˆ R
(ρC − ρ)gH 2
= 2πρ r (R − r2 ) dr
0 4µL
ˆ
πρ(ρC − ρ)gH R
= (rR2 − r3 ) dr
2µL 0
R
πρ(ρC − ρ)gH r2 R2 r4 

= −
2µL 2 4 0
 4
R4

πρ(ρC − ρ)gH R
= −
2µL 2 4
πρ(ρC − ρ)gHR 4
=
8µL

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2B.8 Page 5 of 5

Use Eq. 1.1-3, ν = µ/ρ, to write the density of water ρ in terms of the kinematic viscosity ν and
viscosity µ. Also, write the radius in terms of the diameter.
µ
D 4


π ρC − ν gH 2
w=
8νL
π (ρC ν − µ) gHD4
=
128ν 2 L
Before we plug in the numbers, convert the units so that the desired units of lbm /hr are obtained.
µ and ν for water at 20°C are given on page 14 in Table 1.1-2. Other conversion factors are on
page 868 and 870.
 3
g
2.54 H
cm 1@kg
@ × 2.2046 lbm ≈ 0.0575863 lbm
ρC = 1.594 H 3 × ×
H
cmH 1 in 1000 g
1@kg
@ in3
2
cm2 in2
 
 1 in 3600 As
ν = 0.010037 × × ≈ 5.60066
As 2.54 
cm 1 hr hr
lbm
2.4191 1@
ft lbm
· s × ft·hr
µ = 1.0019 
mPa × ≈ 0.201975
 A
1 ·s
mPa
 
12 in in · hr
 2
m 3.28 @
ft 12 in 3600 As in
g = 9.81 2 × × × ≈ 5.00414 × 109

s@
@ 1
m
 1@
ft 1 hr hr2
H = 1.0 in
D = 0.010 in
L = 120 in

Therefore,
lbm ·in5
π(0.0576 · 5.6 − 0.202)(5 × 109 )(1.0)(0.010)4 hr3
w≈
in5
128(5.6)2 (120) hr2
lbm
≈ 3.9 × 10−5 .
hr

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