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Numerical Investigation of Flow through Convergent or Divergent Channel

with Finite Difference Method

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GMSARN International Conference on Sustainable Development: Challenges and Opportunities for GMS 12-14 Dec. 2007

Numerical Investigation of Flow through Convergent or Divergent

Channel with Finite Difference Method
-1-

M. Gorji-Bandpay, M. Famouri, and F. Gholipour-Baboli

Abstract— In this paper, the laminar incompressible flow in convergent-divergent channel is modeled and the Non-linear
Navier-Stokes equations are solved with the finite difference method. The integral boundary condition form was transformed
to another form and was solved using iteration procedure. The results indicate that for divergent channel, the maximum
velocity reduces with increasing angel of plates whereas for convergence channel back flow not occurs at any Reynold’s
number.

Keywords— Finite Difference Method (FDM), Laminar flow, Convergent-divergent channels.

walls meeting at a vertex and with a source or sink at the

1. INTRODUCTION vertex. A wealth of information and references about
Jeffery-Hamel flow can be found in [4], where, for
The incompressible viscous fluid flow through
example, we find references to [1] and [3], both of which
convergent-divergent channels is one of the most
use elliptic functions to study Jeffery-Hamel flow. We
applicable cases in fluid mechanics, civil, environmental,
confine ourselves here to certain symmetric solutions of
mechanical and bio-mechanical engineering. The
the flow, although symmetric solutions are both possible
mathematical investigations of this problem were
and of physical interest [6]. Consider the following quote
pioneered by [1] and [2], (i.e. Jeffery–Hamel flows).
from [5, p. 15]: "A general solution of these equations
Jeffery-Hamel flows are an exact similarity solution of
can be obtained in terms of elliptic functions."
the Navier-Stokes equations in the special case of two-
dimensional flow through a channel with inclined plane
walls meeting at a vortex and with a source or sink at the
vertex and have been extensively studied by several
authors and discussed in many textbooks [3-9,12-15].
These kind of flows are used as asymptotic boundary
conditions to examine steady two-dimensional flow of a
viscous fluid in a channel [5]. But we confine ourselves
here to certain symmetric solutions of the flow, although
asymmetric solutions are both possible and of physical
interest [6].
Most scientific problems such as Jeffery-Hamel flows
and other fluid mechanics problems are inherently of
nonlinearity. Except a limited number of these problems, Fig. 1. Physical problem of flow through divergent channel.
most of them do not have analytical solution. Therefore,
these nonlinear equations should be solved using other The two-dimensional fluid flow problem is assumed to
methods. Some of them are solved using numerical be incompressible and steady state and is modeled by the
techniques [5] and some are solved using the analytical Navier-Stokes equations. We have no slip at interface
method of perturbation [9, 12]. In the numerical method, between fluid and wall of channel. The approximate
stability and convergence should be considered so as to solution to the flow problem is obtained by applying the
avoid divergence or inappropriate results. asymmetric Finite Difference method.
Consider two plates forming a convergent channel with
2α as the angel between them. The physical problem 2. MATHEMATICAL FORMULATION
considered in the present study is shown in Figure 1.
Jeffery-Hamel is an exact similarity solution of the Consider the steady two-dimensional flow of an
Navier-Stokes equations, in the special case of two- incompressible conducting viscous fluid from a source or
sink at the intersection between two rigid plane walls that
dimensional flow through a channel with inclined plane
the angel between them is 2α as shown in Fig. 1. We
assume that the velocity is only along radial direction and
M. Gorji (corresponding author), M. Famouri, and F. Gholipour-
depend on r and θ, V (Vr, 0) [10, 11]. The continuity and
Baboli are with Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mazandaran momentum equations for two dimensional laminar flows
University, P. O. Box 484, Babol, Iran. Fax: 00981113234205; E-mail: are written. Assumptions are as follows:
gorji@nit.ac.ir.
1. the fluid is Newtonian and incompressible
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 2. the gravity acts in perpendicular to the surface conditions:
3. fluid properties are constant f (θ ) θ =α = 0 (2.10)
Considering cylindrical coordinate system for simple
f (θ ) θ =−α = 0 (2.11)
formulation and investigation plane flow as well as not
assumption of flow along z-coordinate, whereas velocity α
along r-coordinate is function of r and θ, we finally have, q = ∫ f (θ )dθ (2.12)
−α
the last assumption as:
4. Vθ=0 3. NUMERICAL METHOD
The assumption coordinate are shown in Figure 2, If we use central finite difference for discritizing, our
notice that z-coordinate is perpendicular to plane: solution will not converge to good answer, so we use
finite difference method with four point asymmetric
formulas for first and 3rd derivative of discritization. We
also use Newton-Raphson method to convert set of
nonlinear equations to a linear set one, and inverse matrix
used to solve the linear set of equations [13]:
f i −2 − 6 f i −1 + 3 f i + 2 f i +1
f ′i = (3.1)
6 ∆x
− 6 f i −2 + 18 f i −1 − 18 f i + 6 f i +1 (3.2)
f ′′′ i =
6 ∆x 3
Since we have symmetric problem [5], we just solve
model for half of geometry. As a result, the boundary
conditions changed to:
Fig. 2. Assumption coordinate. f (θ ) θ =α = 0 (3.3)

∂f (3.4)
ρ∂ =0
( rVr ) = 0 (2.1) ∂θ θ =0
r∂r
α
∂V 1 ∂P ⎡ ∂ 2V ∂V ∂ 2V V ⎤ q = 2 ∫ f (θ )dθ (3.5)
Vr r = − + υ ⎢ 2r + r + 2 r 2 − 2r ⎥ (2.2) 0
∂r ρ ∂r ⎣ ∂r r∂r r ∂θ r ⎦
Now, we consider a dimensionless parameter as
1 ∂P 2ν ∂Vr Reynolds number with following equation [6]:
− + =0 (2.3)
ρr ∂θ r 2 ∂θ umax d h
Re = (3.6)
From Eq.(2.1) we have: ν
f (θ ) ≡ rVr (2.4) That umax is maximum velocity and dh is height of
channel at the section.
In terms of the above definitions, the governing Replacing last boundary condition with:
Navier-Stokes equations expressing conservations of α
momentum and mass reduce to the following equations: q = 2 ∫ f (θ )dθ → f (θ ) θ =0 = f max (3.7)
0
∂ Vr (2.5)
( )=0 Hence the Reynolds number changes to:
∂r r
f max
× 2 rα
⎛ ∂ V ⎞ 2f α
− ∂P
+ ν ⎜⎜
V ∂ 2V ∂V
(r r ) + 2 r 2 − 2r ⎟⎟ = Vr r (2.6) Re = r = max (3.8)
ρ∂r r∂r ∂r r ∂ θ r ∂r ν ν
⎝ ⎠
Now we have iterative process for finding fmax that
− ∂P ⎛ 2 ∂V ⎞ (2.7) satisfies this boundary condition. Indeed we must solve
+ν ⎜ 2 r ⎟ = 0
ρr∂θ ⎝ r ∂θ ⎠ this equation:
Now, by replacing Vr with f (θ)/r and eliminating the P α

term, we have: q − 2 ∫ f (θ ) dθ = 0 (3.9)

0

− 2 f (θ ) ∂f (θ ) ν ∂ 3 f (θ ) 4ν ∂f (θ ) (2.8)
With guessing fmax, f (θ) will be founded and then we
= 3 + 3 can calculate q' and compare it with q. since the flux
r3 ∂ν r ∂θ 3 r ∂θ
increase with increasing maximum of velocity (or fmax)
It’s simplify to: then the diagram of flux versus of fmax is ascendant
2 ff ′ +νf ′′′ + 4νf ′ = 0 (2.9) .Therefore several methods can be used to find out the
roots of this equation as Bisection method, secant
Now, we have a nonlinear differential equation method, linear interpolation method and finally Newton’s
problem by power of three that it has three boundary method. We have used Bisection method since it is

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simplest method.

4. NUMERICAL RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In this section, numerical results for the velocity (or fmax)
and flux for various values of the Reynolds numbers (Re)
and angel between the plates (2α) is illustrated. All
results are computed when the kinematics viscosity is
assumed to be ν=1.E-6 .The variable f has been
dimensionless by division of fmax and θ by division of
θmax=α.
a) Results for divergence channel:
In Fig.3 and Fig.4 the output data for various Re numbers
at same angel of plate has been shown. The results
indicate that by assumption of the same angle of plate ,by
Fig.5. Effects of angel of plates on flux profile versus of fmax that
increasing the value of Re number, the value of f goes to kinematics viscosity is ν=1.E-6.
zero, and back flows occurs . For 2α=10°, back flow
starts at Re number about 340° whereas for 2α=10°
occurs at about 60°.

Fig.6. Effects of angel of plates on flux profile versus of Re

number that kinematics viscosity is ν=1.E-6.

Fig. 3. Effects of Re number on f profile for the case which in

angel of plates is2α=10°. b) Result for convergence channel:
In Fig.7 the output data for various Reynolds numbers in
convergence channel has been shown. As the figure
illustrates due to positive pressure gradient at any
Reynolds number back flow does not occur.

Fig. 4. Effects of Re number on f profile for the case which in

angel of plates is 2α=20°.

In Fig.5 and Fig.6 the value of flux versus of fmax and

Re number are shown for various angels of plates. It is Fig. 7. Effects of Re number on f profile for the case which in
shown that fmax reduces with increasing angel of plates at angel of plates is 2α=10°.
the same flux and Re number also reduces as similar.

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 5. CONCLUSIONS [9] Makinde. O.D, Mhone P.Y, “Hermite–Pade´
approximation approach to MHD Jeffery–Hamel
In this paper, the laminar incompressible flow in
flows”, Applied Mathematics and Computation,
convergent-divergent channel is modeled and the
181, (2006), pp. 966–972.
governing equations were solved with finite difference
[10] Schlichting, Herrmann, “Boundary-layer Theory”,
method. The results indicates that for divergent channel,
McGraw-Hill Press, New Yourk, (2000).
the maximum velocity reduces with increasing angel of
[11] Rathy, R.K, “An introduction to Fluid Dynamics”.
plate whereas for convergence channel there is not any
Oxford and IBH Pl. New Delhi, (1976).
back flow occurrence at any Reynolds numbers. For
[12] Makinde, O. D., “Laminar flow in a channel of
divergence channel, back flow starts at Reynolds number
varying width with permeable boundaries”,
about 340 whereas for 2α=20° occurs about 160. The
Romanian Journal of Physics. Vol. 40, (1995), pp.
maximum velocity reduces with increasing angel of
403-417.
plates at the same flux. But at convergence channel back
[13] Makinde, O.D., “Steady flow in a linearly
flow not occurs at any Reynolds numbers.
diverging asymmetrical channel”, CAMES 4,
(1997), pp. 157-165.
[14] Makinde, O.D., (1997), Steady flow in a linearly
Nomenclature diverging asymmetrical channel, CAMES 4, 157-
165
Vr radial velocity (m/s)
q Mass flow rate (m3/s)
f auxiliary function
p pressure (N/ m2)
Re dimensionless Re number
r distance from center source or sink (m)
Greek symbols
α angel between the plate and reference θ
coordinate(Rad)
ρ fluid density (Kg/m3)
ν fluid viscosity (m2/s)
θ angel from reference coordinate(Rad)

6. REFERENCES
[1] Jeffery .G.B, “The two-dimensional steady motion
of a viscous fluid”, Philos. Mag. 6, (1915), pp.
455–465.
[2] Hamel G, “Spiralfo¨rmige Bewgungen Za¨her Flu¨
ssigkeiten”, Jahresbericht der Deutschen Math.,
Vereinigung, 25, (1916), pp. 34–60.
[3] Rosenhead L., “The Steady Two-Dimensional
Radial Flow of Viscous Fluid between Two
Inclined Plane Walls”, Proc. Royal Soc. A, 175, no.
963, (1940), pp. 436-467.
[4] Batchelor .K, “An Introduction to Fluid
Dynamics”, Cambridge University Press, (1967).
[5] Sadri.Reza M, “Channel Entrance Flow”, Ph.D.
Thesis, Dept. Mechanical Engineering, the
University of Western Ontario, (1997).
[6] SobeyI J., and Drazin P.G., “Bifurcations of two-
dimensional channel flows”, J. Fluid Mech. 171,
pp. 263-287.
[7] Hamadiche. M., J. Scott, Jeandel D., “Temporal
stability of Jeffery–Hamel flow”, J. Fluid Mech.
268, (1994), pp. 71–88.
[8] Fraenkel L.E., “Laminar flow in symmetrical
channels with slightly curved walls I: On the
Jeffery–Hamel solutions for flow between plane
walls”, Proc. R. Soc. Lond. A267, (1962), pp. 119–
138.

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