Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco

División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura

Dimensional Consistency

In engineering, a basic principle exists that equations must be dimensionally consistent.

What the principle means is that each term in an equation must have the same net dimensions and units as every
other term to which it is added or subtracted or equated. Consequently,
dimensional considerations can be used to help identify the dimensions and units of term or
quantities in an equation.

Dimensionless groups in Chemical Engineering

A Collection of variables or parameters put together to describe a phenomenon.

 𝐷=𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟  ρ=𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦

  Reynolds number= 𝑣  =𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦  𝜇=𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦
Example:
 Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura

Dimensional Consistency

Questions

1. Explain what dimensional consistency means in an equation.

2. Explain why the so-called dimensionless group has not net dimensions.
3. If you divide all of a series of terms in an equation by one of the terms, will the
resulting series of terms be dimensionless?
4. How might you make the following variables dimensionless?
a. Length (of a pipe)
b. Time (to empty a tank full of water
 Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura

Dimensional Consistency

Problems

1. An orifice meter is used to measure the rate of flow of a fluid in pipes. The flow rate is related
to the pressure drop by the following equation:

Where:
  ∆𝑃 𝑢=𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑
  𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝑢=𝑐
𝜌√ ∆  𝑃= 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝(𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎)
 𝜌=𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡h𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑
𝑐=𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡
 

What are the units of c in the SI system units?

 Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura

Dimensional Consistency

Problems 1. To verify dimensional consistency, both sides of an equation must have the same
dimensions and units, as it is shown:
In the SI system:
  ∆𝑃
𝑢=𝑐
√
𝜌
  =m/s
  =Pa=N/m2
  =kg/m3
N=(kg*m)/s2

Substituting:

  𝑘𝑔 ∗ 𝑚   ===
𝑢(
𝑚
𝑠
)= 𝑐

√ 𝑚2 𝑠 2
𝑘𝑔
𝑚
3
Simplifying:

Then: c is dimensionless
 Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura

Dimenssional Consistency

Problems

2.3.4 Leaking oil tanks become such an environmental problem that the federal government
has implemented a number of rules to reduce the problem. A flow rate from a leak from a
small hole in a tank can be predicted from the following relation:

  where: Q is the leakage rate (gal/min)

  2∆𝑃 S is the cross sectional area of the hole causing the leak (in 2)
𝑄=0.61 𝑆
√ 𝜌
is the pressure drop between the inside of the tank opposite the
leak and the atmospheric pressure (psi)
is the fluid density (lb/ft3)

To test the tank, the vapour space is pressurized with N 2 to a pressure of 23 psig. If the tank is filled with 73
in of gasoline (sp.gr.=0.73) and the hole is ¼ in. in diameter, what is the value of Q (in ft 3/h)?
 Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura
  2∆𝑃
Dimenssional Consistency
Analysis
𝑄=0.61 𝑆
√ 𝜌
Problems

  =
Mapa conceptual: de medidas
de concentración

  𝑙𝑏 ∗ 𝑓𝑡 https://www.canva.com
It is necessary to introduce 𝑔 𝑐 =32.174 2
𝑙𝑏 𝑓 𝑠

  =
 Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura

Dimensional Consistency

Problem 2.3.4
 Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura

Dimensional Consistency 𝑃h=

  𝜌 𝑔h
  P Patm=1 atm
Problem 2.3.4 𝑃h=
  𝜌 𝑔h/ 𝑔𝑐   𝑘𝑔 𝑚
𝑃h= ∗ ∗𝑚
𝑚3 𝑠 2

 𝑝𝑠𝑖= 𝑙𝑏 𝑓 h=300 m
2
𝑖𝑛
 Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura

Dimensional Consistency

Problem 2.3.4
 Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura

Dimensional Consistency

Problem 2.3.4
 Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco
División Académica de Ingeniería y Arquitectura

Dimensional Consistency

Problem 2.3.4