Front dynamics in exchange flow of two

immiscible iso-viscous fluids in two-

dimensional straight and curved plane
channels
Cite as: Phys. Fluids 31, 092105 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5108748
Submitted: 03 May 2019 • Accepted: 01 September 2019 • Published Online: 18 September 2019

Mohammadreza Yavari, Majid Bazargan, Nasim Kazemi, et al.

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Phys. Fluids 31, 092105 (2019); https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5108748 31, 092105

© 2019 Author(s).
 Physics of Fluids ARTICLE scitation.org/journal/phf

Front dynamics in exchange flow of two

immiscible iso-viscous fluids in two-dimensional
straight and curved plane channels
Cite as: Phys. Fluids 31, 092105 (2019); doi: 10.1063/1.5108748
Submitted: 3 May 2019 • Accepted: 1 September 2019 •
Published Online: 18 September 2019

Mohammadreza Yavari,1,a) Majid Bazargan,1,b) Nasim Kazemi,1,c) Elaheh Bagherizadeh,2,d)

and Jordi Estevadeordal3,e)

AFFILIATIONS
1
K. N. Toosi University of Technology, 7 Pardis St., Vanak Sq., Tehran, Iran
2
Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Rd., Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA
3
North Dakota State University, 1319 Centennial Blvd., Fargo, North Dakota 58102, USA

a)
Electronic mail: Mohammadreza.yavari@ndsu.edu
b)
Electronic mail: Bazargan@kntu.ac.ir
c)
Electronic mail: na.Kazemi@gmail.com
d)
Electronic mail: elaheh.bagherizadeh@stonybrook.edu
e)
Electronic mail: jordi.estevadeordal@ndsu.edu

ABSTRACT
Exchange flow of two immiscible fluids at a low Atwood number in a straight and curved plane channel is considered in this analytical study.
The fluids are considered immiscible, but practically, the results can be applied to miscible fluids for short times and in nearly horizontal
channels where mixing is negligible due to strong segregation. The exchange flow and displacement flow in pipes at different inclinations
with respect to vertical have been extensively studied and have many applications in industry or environmental settings. For the case of
plane two-dimensional channels, however, because of the simpler geometry, it is more convenient to understand the physics of the problem
and formulate the physical phenomena mathematically. An equation has been derived that describes the transient front velocity in exchange
flow in a straight plane channel. The steady state front velocity in straight channels is estimated. The exchange flow in curved channels
demonstrates an unstable front or a separated trail because of the curvature of the path. In the case of curved channels, some of the general
behavior of the interface is predicted and validated against some experimental observations in curved pipes but quantitative analysis of the
interface and the flow requires more advanced mathematical formulation and more detailed experiments for validation.
Published under license by AIP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5108748., s

I. INTRODUCTION the fluids are considered immiscible to facilitate the mathematical

Buoyancy-driven flows in the form of an exchange flow or
displacement flow may occur in oceanography, meteorology, and
chemical and petroleum engineering along other industrial or nat-
ural settings. Those flows are driven mainly by buoyancy, but the
balancing forces for the buoyancy depend on the configuration
of the flow.1 In previous studies by Séon et al.2–6 and Taghavi et
al.1,7 for the case of miscible fluids, the flows have been catego-
rized as inertial or viscous. The viscous regime occurs in near hor-
izontal pipes where little mixing happens, and viscous forces are
the main balancing force for inertia.1 Here in this analytical study,
formulation of the problem without considering mixing or diffu-
sion effects, and so the inclination with respect to horizontal does
not matter. However, it should be noted that the results should be
compared only with the viscous parts of previous studies considering
miscible fluids.
Considering the literature related to this study, gravity cur-
rents have been studied by many researchers, most notably by
Benjamin,8 Simpson,9 and Britter and Simpson.10 Those clas-
sic studies revealed important aspects of the dynamics of grav-
ity currents, mostly by considering energy conservation in their
analysis.

Phys. Fluids 31, 092105 (2019); doi: 10.1063/1.5108748 31, 092105-1

Published under license by AIP Publishing
 Physics of Fluids
Exchange flow in inclined pipes has been extensively stud-
ied experimentally and analytically by Séon et al.2–6 Considering
isoviscous fluids and low Atwood numbers, Séon et al.3 classi-
fied exchange flows phenomenologically as either inertial or vis-
cous according to which effect is dominant in balancing buoyancy
forces as was noted earlier and this terminology has been adopted
in many papers on exchange or displacement flows afterward. Séon
et al.2–6 and Taghavi et al.1,7 could derive experimental and analyti-
cal estimation of the front velocity, displacement efficiency, etc., for
exchange flow or displacement flow in pipes.
For the case of plane channels, numerous studies have also been
conducted. Sahu et al.11 studied the linear stability and simulation
of miscible two-layer channel flow in a numerical study. In another
paper, Sahu et al.12 considered pressure-driven miscible two-fluid
channel flow at different densities numerically. Sahu and Vanka13
have considered immiscible exchange flows in two-dimensional
plane channels, using both a lattice Boltzmann method and a finite
volume method. Hallez and Magnaudet14 studied pure exchange
flows in pipes and channels in the inertial dominated regime in
a numerical study and focused on the effect of the geometry on
buoyancy induced mixing.
In the current analytical study, the focus is both on the tran-
sient regime and longer time behavior during the interpenetration
of two immiscible fluids at different densities but the same viscos-
ity. Previous studies in pipes have revealed that when the pipe is
in near horizontal condition, little or no mixing occurs even in the
case of miscible fluids. As such, miscible fluids have been used to
show the behavior of immiscible fluids in experimental studies con-
sidering exchange or displacement flows at nearly horizontal tubes.
That is because for nearly horizontal flows, strong segregation effects
dominate the flow and Poiseuille-like counterflows in each layer of
the fluid occur with viscous forces being the main balancing effect
for buoyancy. Of course in the case of perfectly horizontal tubes,
the slope of the interface is the only driving force to commence and
maintain the flow. The exchange flow in curved channels has also
been considered in this study which has not been adequately inves-
tigated before, neither experimentally nor analytically. The analyt-
ical findings of this study on the exchange flow in a curved chan-
nel has been compared with experimental observations from the
exchange flow in curved pipes which are expected to follow the gen-
eral behavior of the exchange flow in plane channels. The current
study is organized as follows. First, the flow in straight plane chan-
nels is analyzed followed by an estimation of the front velocity. The
exchange flow in curved plane channels is studied next and is used
to predict the qualitative behavior of the interface. These analyses
are mostly based on the axial rate of the change of the flow of the
lighter fluid along the channel. The predictions based on the analy-
sis are also validated against some experiments carried out in curved
pipes.15–25
A. Flow configurations
A long and wide rectangular straight or curved plane channel
with small a height to length ratio and closed ends is considered so
that the flow can be considered two dimensional. The straight plane
channel may be horizontal or inclined with respect to the horizontal
position and the curved channel consists of only a downsloping or
upsloping section. The heavier fluid is located at the top portion of
Phys. Fluids 31, 092105 (2019); doi: 10.1063/1.5108748
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ARTICLE scitation.org/journal/phf
the channel so that a density unstable configuration is considered.
A gate valve with a thin wall separates the heavier and lighter fluids
from each other. The Atwood number which is a measure of density
contrast is assumed to be small so that the Boussinessq approxima-
tion is valid and the flow becomes symmetrical in the case of straight
channels. As the gate valve opens and the fluids are allowed to inter-
act, the heavier fluid starts to exchange its position with the lighter
fluid. In the past studies by Séon et al.2,3 a Poiseuille-like flow has
been observed with the interface of the fluids being almost parallel to
the axis of the pipe for the case of nearly horizontal pipes except close
to the tips. So they have concluded that the quasiparallel approx-
imation is valid except near the front tips. The same channel but
with a small radius of curvature is considered in the next part of this
study. It implies that the channel inclination with respect to vertical
is not constant along its axial position. It should be noted that like
the case of the straight channel, the heavier fluid is assumed to be
initially in the upper part before opening of the gate valve. The flow
configuration in straight channels is represented in Fig. 1.
B. General governing equations for straight 2D plane
channels
An inclined plane rectangular channel with long dimensions
inside the two-dimensional 2D plane is considered in this problem,
as depicted in Fig. 1. As the gate valve opens, the fluids are allowed
to interact with each other and a condition similar to what shown in
Fig. 1 arises. If a Poiseuille flow is assumed at any position along the
channel and at each portion of the channel which is occupied by only
one fluid, the equations of motion for each portion can be stated by
considering the thickness of the fluid at any respective position. h1 is
the distance from the upper surface for the section that is occupied
by fluid 1.
By writing the equation of motion in fluid 1 and 2, considering
a Poiseuille flow in each portion, we can get the following equations:
1 ∂P1
u1 = ( + ρ1 g cos θ)y(y − h1 ), (1)
2μ ∂x
where y in Eq. (1) is calculated from the top plane. For the heavier
fluid section which is in the lower portion of the channel, it yields
1 ∂P2
u2 = ( + ρ2 g cos θ)y(y − (D − h1 )), (2)
2 μ ∂x
where y is measured from the lower plane in this case. At the same
time, the corresponding average velocities in the respected regions
FIG. 1. General configuration of the flow in straight channel.3
31, 092105-2
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are calculated from the relationships related to the plane Poiseuille Equation (10) is based on the symmetry assumption which can
flow relationship as follows: be proved mathematically in straight channels or pipes. The mean
velocity then becomes
1 ∂P1
U1 = − ( + ρ1 g cos θ)h21 (3) (ρ1 − ρ2 ) At
12 μ ∂x U1 = − g cos θD2 = g cos θD2 = −U2. (13)
96 μ 48ν
and
1 1
1 ∂P2 The coefficient 48 in Eq. (13) was shown to be 16 − 2π1 2 in the analysis
U2 = − ( + ρ2 g cos θ)(D − h1 )2 . (4) 6
made on pipe flow by Séon et al. which is much smaller because
12 μ ∂x
of the confined geometry of the pipe compared to the less confined
These equations are more difficult to be calculated for pipes as geometry of the plane channel with the same height as the diameter
demonstrated by Séon et al.2–6 because of the fact that the Poiseuille of the pipe. The general equation with respect to the front velocity
counterflows take place at portions of the circular cross section of can also be derived. The pressure gradient at the position of the gate
the pipe which brings more geometrical complexity into the formu- valve, where h1 and D − h1 are both equal to D/2 due to symmetry,
lation. The continuity equation which dictates the zero net flux of is calculated from Eq. (9),
the volumetric flow rate at each cross section implies that
∂h
∂P1 −g cos θ(ρ1 + ρ2 ) − (ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ ∂x
U1 h1 = −U2 (D − h1 ). (5) = (14)
∂x 2
So U 2 can be written as and, substituting it in Eq. (3) and noting that h1 = D/2 leads to
1 ∂P1 h31 g cos θ ∂h
U2 = ( + ρ1 g cos θ) . (6) U1 = − (ρ1 − ρ2 )(1 + tgθ )D2 . (15)
12 μ ∂x (D − h1 ) 96 μ ∂x
By combining Eqs. (3)–(5), it is possible to reach to the following D
As h1 = 2
in the position of the gate valve, the flow rate will be
system of equations which can be solved for pressure gradients in
g cos θ ∂h
both of the fluids: Q1 = − (ρ1 − ρ2 )(1 + tgθ )D3 . (16)
192 μ ∂x
∂P2 ∂P1 3
(D − h1 )3 + h1 = −ρ2 g cos θ(D − h1 ) − ρ1 g cos θh31 (7) Equation (16) describes the flow to the right of the gate valve
∂x ∂x
and at the location of the gate valve. We can have an estimation of
and
the transient front velocity by considering the physics of the flow.
∂P2 ∂P1 ∂h If we consider the flow to the right of the gate valve as a form of
− = (ρ2 g sin θ − ρ1 g sin θ) . (8)
∂x ∂x ∂x Poiseuille flow but with the difference that the top part always is in
Equation (8) was addressed by Séon et al.6 and can be justified contact with the upper wall, the front velocity can be estimated by
based on the geometry and continuity of the pressure at the interface. considering Fig. 2 as follow:
It should be noted however that in Eq. (8), h = −h1 . Solving Eqs. (7) d 3D Xf
and (8), it is possible to obtain the pressure gradient in the lighter (Q= ). (17)
dt 4 2
fluid
Combining Eqs. (16) and (17) leads to
∂P1 −ρ2 g cos θ(D − h1 )3 − ρ1 g cos θh31 dXf g cos θ D
tgθ)D2 .
=
∂x (D − h1 )3 + h31 =− (ρ1 − ρ2 )(1 + (18)
dt 72 μ 4Xf
[(ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ ∂h
∂x
](D − h1 )3 Equation (18) can be rearranged in the following form:
− . (9)
(D − h1 )3 + h31 dXf g sin θ(ρ1 − ρ2 )D3 g cos θ
+ =− (ρ1 − ρ2 )D2 . (19)
It is possible to solve the above system of equations at any time dt 288 μXf 72 μ
and location by knowing the slope of the interface, and it is possible
to solve the above system of equations and calculate the pressure
gradients for both fluids as was done for the lighter fluid in Eq. (8).
One important case is when the interface becomes almost parallel to
the channel axis, i.e., at longer times where
D
h1 = D − h1 = (10)
2
and
∂h1
= 0, (11)
∂x
which yields
∂P1 ∂P2 ρ1 + ρ2 FIG. 2. Geometry of the flow to the right of the gate valve; the flow of the light fluid
= =− g cos θ. (12) to the right of the gate valve is equal to Q1 from Eq. (16).
∂x ∂x 2

Phys. Fluids 31, 092105 (2019); doi: 10.1063/1.5108748 31, 092105-3

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For simplicity, the following group of parameters is defined:

g cos θ
a= (ρ1 − ρ2 )D2 . (20)
72 μ

Rewriting Eq. (19) leads to the differential equation of (21) and

can be solved to reach Eq. (22),

dXf aDtgθ
+ = −a, (21)
dt 4Xf

D 4at
Xf = − tgθ[W−1 (c1 exp( cot θ − 1)) + 1], (22)
4 D
where W −1 is the −1 branch of the product logarithm function. Con-
sidering the initial condition X f (0) = 0, the constant c1 is found to
be −1. Equation (22) is transient in its nature and is more accurate
at the transient region. As the flow evolves, each half of the chan-
nel starts to become occupied by either of the fluids, the interface FIG. 4. Front velocity calculated from Eq. (22) for Δρ = 15, μ = 0.001, θ = 80○ , and
becomes almost parallel with the channel axis, and 4X D
is not the real 1.33 times of mean velocity.
f
slope of the interface at very long times. At such long times, the slope
of the interface is almost zero by getting closer to the gate valve and is
higher near the tips. Thus, Eq. (22) is valid at short times after open- One interesting case is when the plane channel is completely
ing of the gate valve. Figure 3 depicts the front position vs time for horizontal which means, θ = 90○ . Going through the same procedure
μ = 0.001, Δρ = 10 kg/m3 , and θ = 85○ for the first 3 s after opening practiced above, it yields
of the gate valve. It is seen that the front velocity starts to have high
theoretical values before being settled down to a long time constant U1,∞ = U2,∞ = 0. (23)
velocity as the interface slope becomes negligible. It means that at long times when the interface becomes parallel
Figure 4 displays the front velocity calculated numerically from to the pipe axis, it can be stated that
the results of Eq. (22) for θ = 80○ , Δρ = 15 kg/m3 , and μ = 0.001. The
red line is 1.33 times of the Poiseuille-like mean velocity of the flow. ∂P1 ∂P2
= = 0. (24)
1.33 comes from the assumption made earlier regarding the tip of ∂x ∂x
the flow touching the upper side of the channel. It should be noted Similarly, from equation Eq. (9),
that as was the case in Fig. 3, it shows the theoretically indefinite
∂h 3
velocity of the interface before coming down to the asymptotic value ∂P1 (ρ2 − ρ1 )g ∂x (D − h1 )
depicted in Fig. 4. =− . (25)
∂x h31 + (D − h1 )3
The same treatment applied for tilted channels is applied for
the horizontal plane channel to reach Eq. (26) for the front velocity.
D D
Note that ∂h/∂x can be replaced with 2X f
instead of 4X f
which was
used for tilted channels, and we can get the following relation for the
front velocity in horizontal channels:
¿
Á (ρ2 − ρ1 )
Xf = ÁÀ gD3 t. (26)
48 μ
Figures 5 and 6 depict the front position and velocity for
μ = 0.001 and Δρ = 10 kg/m3 in the horizontal channel, respectively.
It is observed that the front velocity decreases to zero as the inter-
face becomes parallel with the channel axis. These results are also
similar to the results in previous studies for the case of horizontal
pipes.2–6
When the channel is fully horizontal, there is no gravity com-
ponent to govern the flow and the flow is only commenced and kept
going by the pressure gradient which has to be different in each fluid
in order to satisfy the continuity. Therefore, the slope of the interface
exists as long as the flow is present. Otherwise, the same pressure
FIG. 3. Axial front position for Δρ = 10 kg/m3 , θ = 85○ , and μ = 0.001.
gradients which are equal to zero in horizontal channels would not

Phys. Fluids 31, 092105 (2019); doi: 10.1063/1.5108748 31, 092105-4

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FIG. 5. Front position for Δρ = 10 and μ = 0.001. FIG. 6. Front velocity for the same data in Fig. 5.

2 2 ∂h ∂h
be able to drive the flow. So in the case of horizontal channels, one ∂ 2 P1 3g(D − h1 ) h1 D(ρ2 − ρ1 ) ∂x1 (cos θ − sin θ ∂x1 )
= 2
can think of the flow at each side of the gate valve to fill a prism of ∂x2 [(D − h1 )3 + h31 ]
length X f . In the case of inclined channels however, even if the inter- 2
face is aligned with the channel axis, still the gravity component can (ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ(D − h1 )3 ∂∂xh21 [(D − h1 )3 + h31 ]
+ . (27)
interact with the same pressure gradient in each fluid to sustain the [(D − h1 )3 + h31 ]
2
flow. For this reason, one can think of the flow in inclined channels
(except at very short times after opening of the gate valve) as almost The derivative of the volume flow rate with respect to the axial
two Poiseuille flows at opposite directions. Of course, it was noted coordinate can be calculated from Eq. (3) to get
earlier that the tip of the flow tends to keep contact with the upper
wall rather than staying in the middle as is the case in Poiseuille flow ∂Q1 1 ∂ 2 P1 ∂P1 ∂h1
=− [( 2 )h31 + 3( + ρ1 g cos θ)h21 ]. (28)
and that happens because of buoyancy force acting on the lighter ∂x 12 μ ∂x ∂x ∂x
fluid.
The equation for the volume flow derivative should be negative
for positive values of the axial coordinate and positive for negative
C. Evolution of the interface values of the coordinate based on the experimental observation of
In the case of the straight tube, if the derivative of the the pipe flow. But it means that the volume flow rate should be
pressure gradient in the lighter fluid is calculated, Eq. (27) is negative and positive for values of h1 smaller and bigger than D2 ,
obtained, respectively. Combining Eqs. (27) and (28) gives

2
2 2 ∂h ∂h 3∂ h 3 3
∂Q1 h3 3g(D − h1 ) h1 D(ρ2 − ρ1 ) ∂x1 (cos θ − sin θ ∂x1 ) + (ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ(D − h1 ) ∂x21 [(D − h1 ) + h1 ]
=− 1 2
∂x 12 μ [(D − h1 )3 + h3 ] 1

⎛ ρ2 g cos θ(D − h1 )3 + ρ1 g cos θh31 − [(ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ ∂h

h21 ∂x
1
](D − h1 )3 ⎞ ∂h1
+ 3 3
− ρ1 g cos θ . (29)
4 μ⎝ (D − h1 ) + h1 ⎠ ∂x
Equation (30) is the general equation for the evolution of the interface as was addressed in Séon et al.6 for the case of pipes
∂Q1 ∂h1
=− . (30)
∂x ∂t
Combining Eqs. (29) and (30) leads to an equation for the evolution of the interface in straight channels as follows:
2
2 2 ∂h ∂h 3∂ h 3 3
h3 3g(D − h1 ) h1 D(ρ2 − ρ1 ) ∂x1 (cos θ − sin θ) ∂x1 + (ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ(D − h1 ) ∂x2 [(D − h1 ) + h1 ]
− 1 2
12 μ [(D − h1 )3 + h3 ] 1
3 3 ∂h 3
h2 ⎛ ρ2 g cos θ(D − h1 ) + ρ1 g cos θh1 − [(ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ ∂x1 ](D − h1 ) ⎞ ∂h1 ∂h1
+ 1 − ρ1 g cos θ + = 0. (31)
4 μ⎝ (D − h1 )3 + h31 ⎠ ∂x ∂t

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The above equation is a differential equation that can be D. Estimation of the steady state front velocity
numerically integrated for h1 (x, t). At t = 0, we have h1 = D and Using the same argument that there is a pseudo-Poiseuille flow
h1 = 0 for x < 0 and x > 0, respectively. Those equations have been with the tip touching the higher wall of the channel, the front veloc-
calculated numerically for the case of pipes in Ref. 6. ity of the lighter fluid for longer times can be estimated. Based on the
Equation (29) can be rewritten in the following form: depiction in Fig. 8, it can be assumed that all the points near the front
∂Q1 1 ∂h1 h31 D − h1 move with the same velocity after sufficient time past from the open-
=− (1 − tgθ )( − ) ing of the gate valve. By assuming over longer times that ∂h << tgθ
∂x 12 μ ∂x (D − h1 )3 + h31 D ∂x
and neglecting the curvature of the interface (which is true except
⎡ 1 2 ⎤
⎢ 3(ρ2 − ρ1 )g cos θ ∂h h (D − h1 )2 D ⎥
∂x 1 very close to the tip), Eq. (34) is obtained
×⎢⎢
⎥
⎥
⎢ (D − h1 )3 + h31 ⎥
h31
⎣ ⎦
2
1 D − h1
3 3∂ h ( − )
1 (ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ(D − h1 ) h1 ∂x21 12 μ (D − h1 )3 + h31 D
− . (32)
12 μ (D − h1 )3 + h31 ⎡ 1 2 ⎤
⎢ 3(ρ2 − ρ1 )g cos θ ∂h h (D − h1 )2 D ⎥ ∂h1
∂x 1
×⎢ ⎥ ∂t . (34)
⎥=
Neglecting the last term which contains the curvature of the ⎢
⎢ (D − h1 )3 + h31 ⎥
interface, the sign of ∂Q
∂x
1
can be figured out from the term in the ⎣ ⎦
parenthesis Based on the previous argument, it is possible to estimate the
h31 h1 h31 + D2 h1 + 3h31 − 3Dh21 steady state front velocity by considering ∂h
∂t
1
. Rewriting Eq. (34)
χ= 3 3
− 1 + = −1 yields
(D − h1 )3 + h1 D D3 − 3D2 h1 + 3Dh21
4a3 − 6a2 + 4a − 1 3(ρ2 − ρ1 )g cos θ h31 D − h1
= . (33)
3a2 − 3a + 1 12 μ
×(
(D − h1 )3 + h31
−
D
)
Note that h1 is replaced by a as 0 < a < 1. The plot of the above
h21 (D − h1 )2 D ∂h
∂x
1
∂h1
function vs a is depicted in Fig. 7. × 3
= . (35)
3
(D − h1 ) + h1 ∂t
It means that for values of h1 less than the half of channel’s
height, ∂Q
∂x
is negative, and for the values greater than 0.5, ∂Q ∂x
is pos-
itive. That is in accordance with physics of the problem and shows When the interface elongates along the axis of the channel, the
how the interface evolves to finally become aligned with the chan- terms to the right of cross sign can be plotted vs h1 as in Fig. 9 [For
nel axis (assuming infinite length for the channel). Furthermore, the = 0.02, (∂ 1 )/∂x = −0.01].
experiments reveal that the last term which is the curvature of the It should be noted that (1−tgθ ∂h∂x
1
) was just assumed to be equal
interface is also an odd function with appreciable values at the tips to one when the interface becomes almost parallel with the channel
only. So the graph in Fig. 7 still will be odd. It should also be noted axis, but it can be kept for further calculations if necessary. Neglect-
that the term (h21 (D − h1 )2 )/((D − h1 )3 + h31 ) is also a positive even ing the curvature of the interface is a valid assumption anywhere
function with respect to D2 and does not void our previous argument. except close to the tip of the front; in fact, Eq. (32) was rewritten. If
this assumption is valid, the front velocity can be estimated by con-
sidering Fig. 9. Point A in Fig. 8 is to be located in the plot shown in
Fig. 9. It must be in the descending part of the plot since it makes the
interface more parallel to the axis, while the ascending part may cor-
respond to the front tip where the curvature of the interface can be
neglected and should have received more detailed treatment because

FIG. 7. Plot of χ vs a = h1 /D. FIG. 8. Schematic of the interface evolution at longer times.

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FIG. 10. Schematic of a 2D exchange flow in a curved channel.

is true except near the tip of the flow. Then, the thickness of the
lighter fluid close to the tip, but still in the main part of the inter-
FIG. 9. Plot of the second term of Eq. (35) vs h1 . face which is not affected by the complex dynamics of the tip, may
be found. That thickness a is the thickness that according to Eq. (36)
gives us the front velocity which is also consistent with the plot of
of its more complicated dynamics. However, according to Fig. 9, the part of Eq. (35) in Fig. 9, where h1 is the distance of the interface
following equation may be derived: from the upper plane, x is the axial coordinate, and D is the height
of the channel. In other words, a = 0.454 was found as the ratio
d 0.5 + a D
( DXf ) = Vm (36) of the thickness of points A and A′′ to the diameter of the channel
dt 2 2 in Fig. 8.
or
Vf (0.5 + a) = Vm . (37) II. CURVED CHANNELS
If curved channels are considered as depicted in Fig. 10, the case
Substituting from Eq. (35), the following equation is obtained: of horizontal channels can no longer exist. The channel has differ-
3(ρ2 − ρ1 )g cos θ h31 D − h1 ent inclinations as one moves from one end to the other. Many of
12 μ
×(
(D − h1 )3 + h31
−
D
) the arguments of the Secs. I A and I B are valid at each respective
inclination. The assumption of opposite Poiseuille flows may still be
h21 (D − h1 )2 D g cos θ employed but the conditions are somehow different than the case
× (0.5 + a) = − (ρ1 − ρ2 )D2 . (38)
(D − h1 )3 + h31 96 μ of straight channel. For example, one can think that two symmetric
counter flows can form around the gate valve and flow almost par-
D in this example is considered equal to 0.02. After omitting
allel to channel axis. The only way to have a constant ∂h = 0 is to
similar terms from both sides of the equation, it yields ∂x
have the interface aligned with the axis of the channel. It is impor-
h21 (D − h1 )2 D h31 D − h1 tant to know if it can happen. For simplicity, the radius of curvature
(0.5 + a) ( − ) = 1.66 × 10−5 . is assumed to be large so that Eqs. (1)–(4) remain valid.
(D − h1 ) + h1 (D − h1 )3 + h31
3 3 D
(39) A. Symmetry of the transient flow
If a ≅ 0.454 according to the data in Fig. 10, an approximate In straight channels, the flow is symmetric around the gate
value of 1.734 × 10−5 can be reached for h1 ≅ 0.954, valve at all times after opening of the gate valve, and it is possible
0.954 × 1.734 × 10−5 = 1.65 × 10−5 ≅ 1.66 × 10−5 . (40) to prove that analytically. In curved channels, however, if we have
∂h
∂x
≠ 0 (the interface is not parallel to the axis of channel). Consider
Then, by using equation Eq. (37), positions θ and θ′ which are two angular positions symmetric with
Vf ≈ 1.05Vm . (41) respect to the gate valve. Equations (3) and (4) are used to get

There are some points regarding this result. First is that ∂P1 ∂P2 ′
+( ) = −ρ1 g cos θ − ρ2 g cos θ′ (42)
although the value of the diameter is used in the calculations, the ∂x ∂x
result is independent of the diameter because of the fact that both
and
sides of the equation are proportional to D2 . Also, in obtaining V f
≈ 1.05V m , no significant approximations were made. Equation (34) ∂P1 ′ ∂P2
( ) + = −ρ1 g cos θ′ − ρ2 g cos θ. (43)
was obtained only by neglecting the curvature of the interface which ∂x ∂x

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If Eq. (43) is subtracted from Eq. (42), then the following The first term was already calculated for straight channels. After
2
equation becomes a necessary condition to have a symmetrical flow: computing the second term, ∂∂xP2 can be obtained as done in Eq. (A1)
∂P1 ′ ∂P2 ′ ∂h in the Appendix. The derivative of the volumetric flow rate with
( ) −( ) = (ρ2 − ρ1 )[g sin θ + g cos θ − g cos θ′ ] respect to the axial coordinate in a curved channel becomes
∂x ∂x ∂x
∂h
= (ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ′ . ∂Q1 1 ∂ 2 P1 dθ
∂x
(44) =− [( 2 − ρ1 g sin θ )h31
∂x 12 μ ∂x dx
The above equation leads to ∂P1 ∂h1
+ 3( + ρ1 g cos θ)h21 ]. (48)
∂h cos θ − cos θ′ ∂x ∂x
= . (45)
∂x sin θ′ − sin θ 2
Replacing ∂∂xP2 into Eq. (48), the volumetric flow rate deriva-
Reminding that θ and θ′ are symmetrical angles with respect to
tive with respect to the axial direction as referred to in Eq. (A2) is
the position of the gate valve means that Eq. (46) needs to be valid in
obtained. It is possible to get the equation for the evolution of the
to have transient symmetrical flow around the gate valve ( ∂h∂x
≠ 0). interface as is done in Eq. (A3). It describes the evolution of the inter-
∂h face profile h1 (x, t) in a curved channel and should be solved by using
= tgθ0 , (46) the gate valve position at x = 0 and θ = θ0 by numerical integration.
∂x
where θ0 is the angular location of the gate valve. This condition If the equation for ( ∂Q ∂x
1
) is rewritten for the curved tube, Eq. (A4) is
merely concerns the angular location of the gate valve and cannot be obtained which can be reduced to the following equation after some
sustained from the opening of the gate valve until the flow becomes simple algebraic manipulations:
steady. It can be concluded that the transient symmetric flow in ⎡ 1 2 ⎤
exchange flow in a curved channel may not exist. Of course, the case ∂Q1 1 ⎢ 3(ρ2 − ρ1 )g cos θ ∂h h (D − h1 )2 D ⎥
∂x 1
=− ⎢ ⎥
∂x ⎢
12 μ ⎢ (D − h1 )3 + h31 ⎥
of the parallel interface with the axis of the channel should be con- ⎣
⎥
⎦
sidered with the reservation that the parallel interface cannot exist 3
immediately after opening of the gate valve. ∂h1 h1 D − h1
× (1 − tgθ )( − )
∂x (D − h1 )3 + h31 D
2
B. Sustainable parallel interface with the axis 3 3∂ h
1 (ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ(D − h1 ) h1 ∂x21
of the channel −
12 μ (D − h1 )3 + h31
As the gate valve opens, the fluids are allowed to interact 3 3 ∂h1
together. The higher pressure at the bottom surface of the channel 1 (ρ2 − ρ1 )g cos θ(D − h1 ) h1 + [tgθ + ∂x
] dθ
− . (49)
causes the heavier fluid to move to the left and at the same time 12 μ (D − h1 )3 + h31 dx
the resulted pressure gradient due to the interface slope causes the
lighter fluid to move upward and to the right. If zero mixing between The above equation has an important meaning. When tgθ +
the fluids is assumed, the lighter fluid moving to the right will face ( ∂h
∂x
1
)x < 0 (neglecting the curvature of the interface), which hap-
a smaller θ and generally can move faster if a similar slope of the pens when the interface slope is sufficiently high after opening of the
interface is considered. At the same time because of the continuity, gate valve, ( ∂Q
∂x
1
) < 0 for h1 < D/2 and also for values slightly greater
similar volumes of fluids flow to either side of the gate valve. Prior than D/2 which means that the interface evolves like the case of the
to investigating the transient behavior immediately after opening of straight tube. But as tgθ + ( ∂h∂x
1
) becomes positive, which is after the
the gate valve, a discussion on what happens over longer times seems interface becomes more aligned with the axis, the last term starts to
to be useful. For the case of ∂h
∂x
= 0 (if existing), consider Eq. (12) become positive and causes (∂Q1 )/∂x to become eventually positive
which shows that the pressure gradient force on the fluid increases for h1 > D/2 based on its relative magnitude with respect to the first
as θ decreases for the lighter fluid and to the right of the gate valve term. Equation (49) can be rearranged to give Eq. (A5).
which results in higher flow rate after considering Eq. (3). Thus, the The derived equations can give the evolution of the interface
interface will change because of progressively higher flow rate if the over time. For a curved channel, finding the front velocity and evolu-
cross section is constant (resulting from parallel interface with chan- tion of the interface are of great interest which deals with a transient
nel axis). It means that an interface parallel to the axis of the pipe problem. Considering Eq. (A5) and putting aside the last term which
cannot exist sustainability. represents the curvature of the interface as was done earlier, it is
obvious that the sign of ( ∂Q ∂x
1
) for a curved channel is determined
C. Evolution of the interface in curved channels by the sign of the following equation:
If in Eqs. (27)–(32) the derivative of the angle dθ is also present
dx h31 D − h1 h1 D − h1 dθ ⎛ tgθ ⎞
and calculated, the differential equation describing the evolution of χ= 3 3
− + ∂h
+1 . (50)
the interface for the curved channel can also be derived. By com- (D − h1 ) + h1 D 3 D dx ⎝ 1 ⎠
∂x
puting the second derivative of the pressure term with respect to the
axial coordinate in the curved channel, it yields It is assumed that the interface has been elongated along the
axis of the channel and the absolute value of ∂h
∂x
1
is very small. The
∂P ∂P
∂ 2 P1 ∂( ∂x1 ) ∂h1 ∂( ∂θ1 ) ∂θ parameter ϕ is defined in Eq. (51) to contain all the dependences
= + . (47)
∂x2 ∂h1 ∂x ∂h1 ∂x upon h1 . ϕ is plotted again θ in Fig. 11,

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FIG. 11. Plot of ϕ for different values of θ for dθ

< 0 and ( ∂h 1
) = −0.01. ∂h1
dx ∂x FIG. 12. Plots of ϕ vs θ for negative and positive values of ∂x
.

∂h1
⎡ ∂h1 2 ⎤
⎢ ∂x h1 (D − h1 )2 D ⎥ 1. Interface behavior, > 0, 1 − tgθ ∂h 1
>0
∂h1 ∂x ∂x
⎢ (D − h )3 + h3 ⎥(1 − tgθ ∂x )
ϕ = −⎢ ⎥
⎢ 1 ⎥ This can happen at small angles (closer to vertical position) and
⎣ 1 ⎦ also immediately after alignment of the interface with the axis of the
channel which means ∣ ∂h 1
∣ << 1,
⎛ h31 D − h1 h1 D − h1 dθ ⎛ tgθ ⎞⎞ ∂x
× 3 3
− ∂h
+1 . (51) ∂h1
⎝ (D − h1 ) + h1 D 3 D dx ⎝ ∂x1 ⎠⎠ <0 for h1 < h1,c , (52a)
∂t
It is observed from Fig. 11 that as θ increases (the channel ∂h1
>0 for h1 > h1,c . (52b)
becomes closer to horizontal), the value of h1 that makes ϕ = 0 ∂t
decreases. It means that as the heavier fluid flows to the lower
∂h1
and more horizontal parts of the channel, the portion of the chan- 2. Interface behavior, ∂x
> 0, 1 − tgθ ∂h
∂x
1
<0
nel that is occupied by the lighter fluid can become less. This can
This may happen at larger angles (closer to horizontal situa-
lead to an interface with positive values of ∂h ∂x
1
which completely tion) and also if the local positive slope of the interface becomes large
changes ϕ. Figure 12 shows the plots of ϕ for the same absolute
values of the slope of the interface but with negative and positive
signs.
The dependence of ϕ on the slope of the interface can also be
demonstrated. If θ is equal to 45○ , dθ dx
= −0.2. Figure 13 shows the
plots of ϕ vs θ for different values of ∂h
∂x
1
equal to −0.1, −0.01, −0.001
and −0.002.
It is observed that as the interface becomes more parallel with
axis of the channel the thickness of the lighter fluid decreases as
happens when the channel becomes more horizontal. The effects of
changing the slope of the interface and also the angular position have
been plotted in Fig. 14 for better illustration of their simultaneous
effects.
In the same time, the more the interface gets aligned with the
axis, the thinner it may become.

D. Interface behavior
As it was noted earlier the interface may take positive values of
∂h1
∂x
in curved channels. It is needed to know how the thickness of FIG. 13. Variations of ϕ with θ for different values of ∂h1
.
∂x
the lighter fluid may change under this condition.

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positions as the interface becomes more aligned with the channel’s

axis. If the channel’s length is limited (which is the case in real world
situations), the thinning of the lighter fluid at more horizontal posi-
tions may not be observed clearly in experimental runs, but the cur-
rent analysis demonstrates that the curved channel has changed the
flow rate of the heavier and lighter fluids in such a case which has
caused the heavier fluid to increase its thickness as long as the flow
is present. Although this result may not seem so important in an
exchange flow because of limited dimensions of the channel, it can
greatly affect the overall flow behavior in a virtually infinite channel
which can be the case in a displacement flow.

F. Experimental observations in pipe exchange flow

Experimental runs were carried out for an exchange flow in a
curved pipe. It should be noted that building a very wide channel
to simulate a 2D flow and validate the analysis is almost impossible.
The overall behavior of the pipe exchange flow, however, is expected
to resemble 2D exchange flows in curved channels. A curved pipe
with an internal diameter of 12.7 mm and an arc of 90○ was con-
FIG. 14. Plots of ϕ for different values of θ and ∂h1
. sidered. A gate valve was put in the middle section and the upper
∂x
and lower parts of the pipe were filled with heavy and light misci-
ble fluids, respectively. The lighter fluid was fresh water dyed with
enough to make 1 − tgθ ∂h1
< 0. This can lead to potassium permanganate and the heavier fluid was water mixed with
∂x
sodium chloride. As the gate valve opened the fluids were allowed to
∂h1 interact and the flow behavior was observed. No measurements or
>0 for h1 < h1,c , (53a)
∂t quantifying of the flow were recorded in these series of experiments.
∂h1 As the gate valve opens, the lighter fluid starts to penetrate to the
<0 for h1 > h1,c . (53b) higher parts of the tube and the thickness of the lighter fluid starts
∂t to increase until the interface becomes almost parallel to the local
It should be noted that according to Eq. (15) for the case of angle of the pipe. Some factors which may result in observations
1 − tgθ ∂h
∂x
1
< 0, the flow of the lighter fluid reverses. It should also be slightly different than what analytically derived are as follows. Water
noted that h1,c is the value of h1 which makes ϕ equal to zero. and water-NaCl solution are miscible and can mix and dissolve in
each other. The curve could rotate to have different orientations.
E. Qualitative behavior of the interface The Atwood number could be changed to have different density con-
As the gate valve opens, the fluids start to penetrate in opposite trasts. The general behavior observed in the tests, however, verifies
directions because of the differential density induced buoyancy. As the analytical findings. Further explanations follow.
the lighter fluid starts to move up through the channel, its thickness Based on the plots in Fig. 15 for the channels, the local thick-
increases which causes the interface to become more aligned with ness of the lighter fluid should decrease theoretically to zero if the
the axis. Based on the plots in Figs. 11 and 12 and because of the interface is perfectly aligned with the tube’s axis.
fact that the lighter fluid can get thicker at more vertical positions of Even a slight positive value of ∂h ∂x
1
can lead to ∂Q∂x
1
> 0 which
the channel, zero slope of the interface can happen very fast which makes the lighter fluid thinner as is also shown in Eq. (52a). Fig-
causes almost complete detachment of the front at that position. This ure 16 shows the behavior of the lighter fluid at very low density
detachment sends a wave of light fluid with relatively high flow rate contrasts in 5 sequences.
to the higher parts of the channel which in turn becomes a new front. In Fig. 16(a), the lighter fluid has emerged out of the gate valve
This new front also becomes parallel with the channel axis and loses and has evolved into an interface almost parallel to the axis of the
its thickness as it travels upward. In the regions where the lighter pipe. It is obvious in Fig. 16(b) that the interface loses its thickness
fluid loses its thickness, according to Eqs. (7) and (8), it yields while at the same time another front struggles to come to the higher
parts of the pipe. In Figs. 16(c) and 16(d), however, more parts of the
∂P1 ∂P2 lighter fluid have lost their thickness as the interface becomes parallel
= ≈ −ρ2 g cos θ. (54)
∂x ∂x to the axis or changes its slope while at the same time strong iner-
It causes the flow rate to become very low, keeping in mind that tial effects and three dimensional mixing which is prevalent in those
h1 becomes very small. It means that the flow rate tends to become inclinations2–6 prevent the new front from moving up the gate valve,
very low at the regions where the thickness of the lighter fluid is very Instead as it is clear in Fig. 16(d), the inertial and diffusive mixing
low. becomes prevalent as the curvature has enhanced inertial mixing.
It can be deduced from the equations and graphs which One important observation is that after the first trail of lighter
describe the flow rate derivative of the lighter fluid that as the gate fluid moves upward and its thickness is almost cut and correspond-
valve opens the lighter fluid may become thinner at more horizontal ingly the trail of heavier fluid moves downward, another flow of

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 Physics of Fluids
the lighter fluid is expected to move up because of the high slope
of the interface. As observed from the experiments at low density
contrasts, this new front starts to come out but does not continue
to emerge. The reason for this stopping is not certain, but it seems
FIG. 16. Behavior of the lighter fluid at low Atwood number at different times from
opening of the gate valve (a) 5 s, (b) 11 s, (c) 16 s, (d) 21 s, and (e) 33 s.
Phys. Fluids 31, 092105 (2019); doi: 10.1063/1.5108748
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∂h1
FIG. 15. Plots of ϕ for different values of θ and ∂x
.
the inertial and mixing effects which are considerable in the posi-
tion of the gate valve (θ = 45○ ) causes the local density gradient to
become low and the buoyancy force which is induced by density gra-
dient becomes negligible. However, it is assumed that if the fluids
were perfectly immiscible, even at low density contrasts, a new wave
of the lighter fluid would move upward which will be accompanied
by a wave of heavier fluid moving down the pipe. It should also be
noted again that the analysis was made on plane channels not on
pipes that are used in the experiments which bring in three dimen-
sional mixing effects that are further enhanced due to the curvature
of the path. Nevertheless, it should be noted that at higher density
contrasts between the fluids, the flow continues to emerge from the
gate valve for duration of the experiment and the thinning of the
interface is not clear because of continuing flow of the lighter fluid
from the lower parts of the pipe.
The heavier fluid also starts to travel to the lower parts of the
pipe. If it is to predict the behavior of the heavier flow based on
the plots in Figs. 11–15, it should be kept in mind that it starts
from the right side of the graphs (The thickness of the light fluid
is maximum as the heavier fluid arrives). Based on the plots, the
slope of the interface causes ∂h ∂x
1
> 0 which means that the lighter
fluid starts to lose its thickness and become thinner as expected
intuitively. But there will be a difference compared to the upward
movement of the lighter fluid as far as the lighter fluid’s thickness
is considered. That is, while a zero slope or small positive values of
∂h1
∂x
caused the lighter fluid to lose its thickness in the upper part,
in the lower part a small positive value of ∂h ∂x
1
causes the lighter
fluid to increase its thickness. Again if very low density contrasts are
considered, due to some three dimensional inertial effects, the slope
of the interface, ∂h
∂x
1
may become positive after opening of the gate
valve. This positive slope at low density contrasts (low flow rates)
will cause the thickness of the lighter fluid to increase again. Also, it
should be noted that like the case for the lighter fluid, the mixing and
the curvature may keep another front of the heavier fluid to come
down.
31, 092105-11
 Physics of Fluids
FIG. 17. Trails of heavier fluid flowing toward the lower parts of the pipe at different
times from opening of the gate valve (a) 12 s, (b) 17 s, (c) 25 s, (d) 30 s, and (e)
33 s.
Figure 17 shows five sequences of the heavier fluid moving
toward the lower parts of the pipe and increasing the thickness of
the lighter fluid as the heavier fluid passes. It should be noted that
the pictures in Fig. 17 have higher color contrast than actual pictures
to increase the clarity of the observations. It is observed that as the
heavier fluid comes toward the lower parts of the tube, the positive
slope of the interface causes the lighter fluid to increase its thickness
and after passing the front of the heavy fluid, the light fluid fills the
whole cross section again. At the same time, one at the position of
the gate valve may observe some flow of the heavier fluid after the
3 3
1 ⎛ −ρ2 g(D − h1 ) − ρ1 g cos θh1 − [(ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ ∂x ](D − h1 )
Q1 = −
12 μ ⎝
[(D − h1 ) + h ]
For higher density contrasts, a more conventional flow is
observed but still it should be noted that the thickness of the
heavier fluid tends to become higher at more horizontal positions
Phys. Fluids 31, 092105 (2019); doi: 10.1063/1.5108748
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FIG. 18. Flow of heavier fluid at higher density contrasts.
first trail but as the mixing and inertial effects of the lighter fluid was
addressed previously, those flows are also minimal and not signifi-
cant compared with the first trail to ensure continuity in each cross
section. Those observations are in accordance with the Figs. 11, 12,
and 15 and plots in Secs. II C–II E and could be more exact if the
fluids were perfectly immiscible.
Again, it is worth mentioning that if the fluids were perfectly
immiscible or if the density contrast was higher, a continuous stream
of the heavier fluid would flow downward with increasing thickness
as it approaches the more horizontal parts of the channel. Figure 18
shows the flow of the heavier fluid at higher density contrasts and
with different colors. (The heavier fluid is colored).
G. Overall behavior of the pipe exchange flow
As it was noted in Sec. II F for low density contrasts, it seems
that as the gate valve opens a trail of lighter fluid moves toward
the upper parts of the pipe and a corresponding trail of the heav-
ier fluid moves downward toward the lighter fluid. After the lighter
fluid’s thickness becomes very low in the higher parts or its thick-
ness almost restores in the lower parts of the pipe, the flow rate
between them looks quite small but important. The lower flow rate
between two fronts satisfies the overall continuity of the flow. The
flow between the two trails of heavy and light fluids consists mostly
of diffusion and mixing type which are now enhanced due to the
existence of curvature in the path. Also, there may be some back-
flows of the lighter fluid (or the same in heavier fluid part) because
of bigger amounts of the slope of the interface as noted in Eq. (53).
Cutting of the interface and restoring the thickness of the original
fluid in each part of the pipe after passing the trail of other fluid
almost causes a very small flow rate of each fluid as can be observed
from Eq. (55) while both h1 and the slope of the interface become
very small
∂h 3
⎞
2
+ ρ1 g cos θ h31 . (55)
3 3
⎠
1
of the channel or pipe. As it was noted earlier, this phe-
nomenon can have significant effects in dynamics of a displacement
flow.
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III. CONCLUSIONS
Buoyancy induced exchange flow of two isoviscous immiscible
fluids with small density difference was considered in a rectangular
channel both with and without curvature. The 2D channel geom-
etry helped to better understand the physics of the problem better
because of less geometric complexity compared to the tubes which
makes the problem three dimensional essentially.
With some simple assumptions regarding the Poiseuille flow, it
was possible to find an equation describing the transient front veloc-
ity in horizontal and inclined straight rectangular channels. Later,
the evolution of the interface was considered in greater detail for
the steady state part of the problem and based on a geometrical
argument the front velocity for an inclined rectangular channel was
estimated to be V f ≈ 1.05V m .
The same analysis was extended to the case of the curved rect-
angular channels. After some preliminary analysis, the evolution of
the interface equation was obtained and was analyzed in detail. This
showed that the front in curved channels that were analyzed in this
study ( dθ
dx
< 0) is essentially unstable. This is because of the fact that
at higher inclinations, the thickness of the lighter fluid can become
higher which can cause a local zero slope of the interface which in
turn, according to Fig. 11, can cause thinning or complete detach-
ment of the interface. This phenomenon is a kind of instability which
should be analyzed in greater detail to be understood quantitatively.
It was shown that the curvature of the channel causes the advancing
lighter fluid to be separated into multiple penetrating bulks of flu-
ids moving up thorough the heavier fluid. The results of the analysis
were compared with some experimental observations.
It should be pointed out that in this study, the overall behavior
of an exchange flow in curved channels was predicted by analyz-
ing only the derivative of the flow rate of lighter fluid, ( ∂Q
∂x
1
). This
approach can be applied to the more complicated cases of displace-
ment flow and greatly facilitates the analysis by not using numerical
integration of the interface evolution equation.
APPENDIX: PRESSURE GRADIENT AND FLOW RATE
EQUATIONS IN CURVED CHANNEL
The derivative of the pressure gradient in a channel with
curvature can be calculated as follows:

2
2 2 ∂h ∂h 3∂ h 3 3
∂ 2 P1 3g(D − h1 ) h1 D(ρ2 − ρ1 ) ∂x1 (cos θ − sin θ ∂x1 ) + (ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ(D − h1 ) ∂x21 [(D − h1 ) + h1 ]
= 2
∂x2 [(D − h1 )3 + h3 ] 1

3
⎛ ρ2 g sin θ(D − h1 ) + ρ1 g sin θh31 − [(ρ2 − ρ1 )g cos θ ∂h
∂x
1
](D − h1 )3 ⎞ dθ
+ . (A1)
⎝ (D − h1 )3 + h31 ⎠ dx

Using Eq. (A1), it is possible to calculate the derivative of the volumetric flow rate of the lighter fluid in a curved channel as is done in
Eq. (A2) followed by the differential equation for evolution of the interface in Eq. (A3),
2
2 2 ∂h ∂h 3∂ h 3 3
∂Q1 h3 3g(D − h1 ) h1 D(ρ2 − ρ1 ) ∂x1 (cos θ − sin θ ∂x1 + (ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ(D − h1 ) ∂x21 [(D − h1 ) + h1 ]
=− 1 2
∂x 12 μ [(D − h1 )3 + h31 ]
3 3 ∂h 3
−h31 ⎛ ρ2 g sin θ(D − h1 ) + ρ1 g sin θh1 − [(ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ ∂x1 ](D − h1 ) dθ dθ ⎞
+ − ρ1 g sin θ
12 μ ⎝ (D − h1 )3 + h31 dx dx ⎠
3 3 ∂h 3
h21 ⎛ ρ2 g cos θ(D − h1 ) + ρ1 g cos θh1 − [(ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ ∂x1 ](D − h1 ) ⎞ ∂h1
+ 3 3
− ρ1 g cos θ (A2)
4 μ⎝ (D − h1 ) + h1 ⎠ ∂x

2
2 2 ∂h ∂h 3∂ h 3 3
h31 3g(D − h1 ) h1 D(ρ2 − ρ1 ) ∂x1 (cos θ − sin θ ∂x1 + (ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ(D − h1 ) ∂x21 [(D − h1 ) + h1 ]
− 2
12 μ [(D − h1 )3 + h3 ] 1

3
−h31 ⎛ ρ2 g sin θ(D − h1 ) + ρ1 g sin θh31
− [(ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ ∂h
∂x
1
](D − h1 )3 dθ dθ ⎞
+ 3 3
− ρ1 g sin θ
12 μ ⎝ (D − h1 ) + h1 dx dx ⎠
3 3 ∂h 3
h21 ⎛ ρ2 g cos θ(D − h1 ) + ρ1 g cos θh1 − [(ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ ∂x1 ](D − h1 ) ⎞ ∂h1 ∂h1
+ − ρ1 g cos θ + = 0. (A3)
4 μ⎝ (D − h1 )3 + h31 ⎠ ∂x ∂t

Equation (A2) can be simplified by using algebraic manipulations to give (A4) and Eq. (A5) which are used in the text to be plotted and
show the behavior of the interface in exchange flow in a curved channel

Phys. Fluids 31, 092105 (2019); doi: 10.1063/1.5108748 31, 092105-13

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 Physics of Fluids ARTICLE scitation.org/journal/phf

⎡ ⎤ 3 3 ∂2h
∂Q1 1 ⎢ 3(ρ2 − ρ1 )g cos θ ∂h h2 (D − h1 )2 D ⎥
∂x 1 ∂h1 h31 D − h1 1 (ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ(D − h1 ) h1 ∂x21
⎥(1 − tgθ ∂x )( (D − h )3 + h3 − D ) − 12 μ
=− ⎢ ⎥
∂x 12 μ ⎢
⎢ (D − h1 )3 + h31 ⎥ 1 1 (D − h1 )3 + h31
⎣ ⎦
3 6 ∂h 3 3
1 ρ2 g sin θ(D − h1 ) h1 + ρ1 g sin θh1 + [(ρ2 − ρ1 )g cos θ ∂x1 ]h1 (D − h1 ) dθ 1 dθ
− 3
+ ρ1 g sin θ h31 , (A4)
12 μ (D − h1 )3 h1 dx 12 μ dx

⎡ 1 2 ⎤
∂Q1 1 ⎢ 3(ρ2 − ρ1 )g cos θ ∂h h (D − h1 )2 D ⎥ h31 D − h1 h1 D − h1 dθ ⎛ tgθ
=− ⎢ ∂x 1 ⎥(1 − tgθ ∂h1 )⎛ − + +1
⎞⎞
∂x ⎢
12 μ ⎢ 3
(D − h1 ) + h13 ⎥ 3 3
∂x ⎝ (D − h1 ) + h1 D 3 D dx ⎝ ∂h 1 ⎠⎠
⎥ ∂x
⎣ ⎦
2
3 3∂ h
1 (ρ2 − ρ1 )g sin θ(D − h1 ) h1 ∂x21
− 3 3
. (A5)
12 μ (D − h1 ) + h1

13
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Phys. Fluids 31, 092105 (2019); doi: 10.1063/1.5108748 31, 092105-14

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