Laminar Flow

Laminar Flow
Some flows are smooth and orderly while others are rather chaotic. The highly ordered fluid motion characterized
by smooth layers of fluid is called laminar. The word laminar comes from the movement of adjacent fluid particles
together in “laminae.” The flow of high-viscosity fluids such as oils at low velocities is typically laminar. Laminar flow
is commonly found in many chemical and process engineering applications.

LAMINAR FLOW THROUGH POROUS MEDIA

There are many instances of the flow of fluids through porous materials. For example, the movement of water, oil
and natural gas through the ground, seepage underneath dams and large buildings, flow through packed towers in
some chemical processes, filtration, fluidization, moisture removal during drying of food materials etc. Since the
velocity is so small and the flow passages so narrow fluid flow under these conditions are essentially laminar.

FLOW OF A FALLING FILM

A falling film is the gravity flow of a continuous liquid film down a solid tube (or inclined plane) having one free
surface. Such films have been extensively studied in connection with wetted-wall towers and the normal practice is
with a vertical tube and countercurrent gas flow. Falling films are used in industry for evaporation, distillation, gas-
absorption, reactions, condensation and applications of coating. Its advantages are that liquid residence time is
small, transfer rates are high for comparatively small pressure losses and it possesses a large interface of simple
geometry. Design and operation of the equipment need careful attention to eliminate flooding or poor wetting
phenomena.

HYDRODYNAMIC LUBRICATION
Another important application of laminar flow arises in the lubrication of various types of bearings. In these, laminar
motion may always be assumed because, although high velocities may be involved, the thickness of the film of
lubricant is so small that the Reynolds number is usually well below its critical value for that system.
The primary function of the lubricant is to separate bearing surfaces, and so long as the lubrication is effective there
is no direct contact between properly finished surfaces. If the film of the lubricant is to keep the bearing surfaces
apart, it must be capable of sustaining a load. One way of achieving this is to supply the fluid lubricant to the space
between the surfaces at a sufficiently high pressure from some external sources. This provides hydrostatic
lubrication. But in many instances a high pressure may be more readily produced in the lubricant as a result of shape
and relative motion of the bearing surfaces themselves. This action gives hydrodynamic lubrication.

Analysis of laminar flow

Analysis start with obtaining the velocity profiles for laminar flows of fluids in simple flow systems. These derivations
make use of the definition of viscosity, the expressions for the molecular and convective momentum fluxes, and the
concept of a momentum balance. Once the velocity profiles have been obtained, we can then get other quantities
such as the maximum velocity, the average velocity, or the shear stress at a surface. Often it is these latter
quantities that are of interest in engineering problems.

In this lecture we will analyze the flow problems related to

1. Flow between two parallel plates
2. Flow in circular cross section pipes
3. Flow down an inclined surface
4. Flow through an annulus

Fully developed flow in closed conduits

Consider steady flow of a fluid entering
from a large tank into a circular pipe.
The fluid velocity everywhere on the
pipe surface is zero because of the no-
slip condition, and the flow is two-
dimensional in the entrance region of the pipe since the velocity changes in both the r- and z-directions, but not in
the u-direction. The velocity profile develops fully and remains unchanged after some distance from the inlet (about
10 pipe diameters in turbulent flow, and less in laminar pipe flow).

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Tutorial –Laminar Flow
Power transmission

Q1
(a) Figure Q1 shows a simple fluid coupling for power transmission between input and out put shafts. It
comprises two flat circular discs of 300 mm diameter D separated by a 1.2mmspace h filled with oil
having a coefficient of dynamics of viscosity  of 0.5Ns/m2. Assuming that the velocity variation
between the rotating discs is linear,
Show that the torque T available at the out put shaft is
 D 4  (1 − 2 )
T=
32h
Where 1, 2 = input and out put shaft speeds (rad/s) [10]

(b) The input shaft is rotating at 900rev/min and is supplied with a powder of 500w.
Calculate the speed, torque and power available at the output shaft.
Explain the difference in shaft powers. [5]

(c) If the input speed reminds constant at 900rev/min, determine the maximum output power available
from the coupling and the corresponding output speed. [5]

Q2
The 25mm diameter vertical shaft in figure Q2 rotates at 1200rev/min in a 75mm long bearing. The
thrust at the lower end of the shaft is transferred by a flat 100mm diameter disc to a flat housing.
The space between the shaft and the bearing and between the disc and the housing is filled with oil
of dynamic velocity 0.10Nsm2. In each case the oil film is 0.20mm thick.
Assuming that the velocity gradient is constant across the thickness of each oil film, calculate the
power absorbed in fluid friction. [20]

25mm dia.

75mm
300mm dia.

Oil Film

1.2mm

Figure Q1 100mm
diameter
Figure Q2

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 Laminar Flow
Flow through circular pipes

Q3
(a) For laminar flow in the Circular pipe, derive from first principles the following equation relating the
head loss H L , the pipe diameter d, the pipe length L, the mean velocity of flow V , the flow
density  , the fluid dynamics viscosity  and the acceleration due to gravity g .
32VL
HL = [12]
gd 2
(b) A 20mm diameter, 5m long pipe conveys oil of dynamic viscosity 1.20N/sm2 and density 900kg/m3
at a mean velocity of 0.30m/s.
Show that the flow condition is laminar and determine
(i) The head loss
(ii) The centerline velocity
(iii) The radial location at which the velocity is equal to the mean velocity [8]

Flow through an annulus

Q4
Laminar flow of a fluid of dynamic viscosity  take place in a horizontal annular pipe with internal and
external Radii R1 and R2 respectively when subjected to a longitudinal pressure gradient of dp dx .
Assuming Steady, Fully developed Flow,
dp d  du 
(a) Show that the equation governing the Fluid motion is; r =  r 
dx dr  dr 
Where r is a radius in the annulus and u is the fluid velocity at radius r [5]

− 1 dp  2 R 
(b) Hence, Show that the fluid velocity in the annulus is given by; u =  R2 − r 2 − a ln  2 
4 dx   r 
R22 − R12
Where a = [9]
R 
ln  2 
 R1 
a
(c) Show that the Maximum Velocity in the annuls occurs at a radius given by r = [4]
2

dp
(d) In a particular situation, with R1 =0.1m, R2 =0.2m,  =0.29Ns/m2 ,and = −400 N/m3,
dx
Determine the maximum fluid velocity in the pipe. [2]

Q5
(a) Describe and briefly discuss the design and operation of two commonly used devices for measuring
the velocity of liquids. [6]

(b) A Fluid of viscosity  flows through a long, horizontal annular pipe of internal and external
diameters D and 3D under the influences of pressure gradient dp dl .

Assuming laminar flow, derive

(i) An expression relating the shear stress  at radius r to the shear stress  0 on the inner
boundary and the parameters specified in the above data. [5]
(ii) An expression relating the local velocity u to the radius r and the parameters specified in the
data. [9]

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 Laminar Flow
Flow between parallel plates

Q6
(a) Figure Q6 shows two stationary horizontal flat circular discs separated by distance t and with
external radius R2 . The lower disc is attached to a small diameter pipe with internal radius R1 through
which liquid of dynamic viscosity  is supplied to the space between the discs. The liquid flows
radially outwards to surrounding at atmospheric pressure.
dp d 2u
(i) Show that for laminar flow, the radial pressure gradient = 2 [3]
dr dy
Where y is measured from the centerline of the space between the discs and u is the liquid
velocity at y.
1 dp 2
(ii) Neglecting entry or exit losses show that u = − (t − 4 y 2 ) [3]
8 dr
Where u= liquid velocity at y between the discs.
t 3 p1
(iii) Hence Show that the volumetric flow rate Q is given by Q = [8]
 R2 
6 ln  
 R1 
Where Q=Volumetric flow rate
p1 =gauge pressure in the supply pipe at R1

(b) Two Concentric horizontal discs are 5mm apart and 300mm diameter. Oil with density 800kg/m 3
and dynamic viscosity 0.25Ns/m2 flows radially outwards between the discs from a 50mm diameter
pipe at the centre of the lower disc. The pressure at the outer edge of the discs is atmospheric and
the mean velocity in the pipe is 5m/s. Assuming laminar flow conditions,
Calculate
(i) The oil flow rate. [2]

(ii) The pressure in the supply pipe [2]

(iii) The maximum oil velocity at exit from the periphery of the discs. [2]

Q7
Two large horizontal flat plates are separated by a distance h and the space between them is filled with a
liquid having a dynamic viscosity  . The lower plate is held stationary and the upper plate is moving
with velocity U in the positive x direction, as shown in the Figure Q7.In addition, a constant pressure
gradient dp dx is applied to the liquid.

dp d 2u
(a) Given that the fluid motion is governed by the equation, = 2
dl dy

u y y y
Show that the velocity distribution in the liquid is = − P 1 − 
U h h h

h 2 dp
Where P = [5]
2U dx

(b) Hence, show that the volumetric flow rate per unit width of plate Q is given by
hU
Q= (3 − P) [5]
6

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 Laminar Flow
(c) For the case describe by Figure Q9, U = 1.5 m s , h = 2mm , and  = 0.01Ns / m 2

(i) Determine the flow rates which result when dp dx =15kN/m3 and
When dp dx = (-15) kN/m3, respectively. [4]

(ii) Determine the maximum and minimum fluid velocity for each of these two cases. [4]

(iii) Comment on the results of (ii) in terms of the flow conditions. [2]

r
R2

R1

Figure Q6

h
y

Figure Q7

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 Laminar Flow
Flow of a falling film

Q8
A layer of oil of thickness h flows at a steady rate down a flat plate inclined at an angle  to the horizontal.
The air in contact with free surface of the oil layer at atmospheric pressure and the oil flow rate is such that
the air exerts a negligible drag force on the oil.
d 2u
a) Show that for laminar flow of the oil the governing equation is  2 = − g sin 
dy
where
(i) y is the distance from the flat plate across the oil layer thickness
(ii) u is the oil velocity at distance y
(iii)  is the kinematic viscosity of the oil
(iv) g is the acceleration due to gravity
b) Hence show that the velocity distribution in the oil layer is
u=
g
2
(2hy − y 2 )sin 

c) For an oil with kinematic viscosity 8.0  10-5 m2/s, calculate

(i) the flow rate of oil required per unit width of the plate to maintain an oil layer thickness of 5 mm when
the plate is inclined at 40
(ii) the maximum oil velocity in the layer under these conditions.

Q9
A wide, flat belt moves vertically upwards at a constant speed U through a container of lubricating oil as
shown in Figure Q9. The presence of viscous forces in the oil causes the belt surface to remove from the
container a film of oil of thickness h. Assume steady, fully developed laminar flow in the oil film on the belt
and negligible drag force on the free surface of the film.
a) Show that the velocity distribution in the film is given by
g 2 gh
u= y − y +U
2 
b) Derive a conditional expression for the belt speed in terms of the other variables that will ensure that oil
in the film does not drain back into the container.
c) For oil with a kinematic viscosity of 1.0  10-4 m2/s, calculate
(i) the minimum belt speed needed to maintain a film thickness of 5 mm on the belt and avoid oil
draining back into the container
(ii) the rate of oil removal from the container per unit width of the belt for the operating conditions
given in part (i) above
d) Laminar flow occurs in part c if the Reynolds number based on film thickness and mean film velocity is
 1000. Verify that the assumption of laminar flow is justified.

Oil film

Belt

Figure Q9

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