Shell Balances

Flow between two parallel plates / duct

 Laminar Flow Between Parallel
• Assume that a fluid flows between Plates
two wide parallel plates that are
separated by a distance 2H, length L
and width W

• Let us consider flow driven by a

pressure difference Po and PL
between the inlet and exit of the
channel.

• Let us consider that the fluid is

flowing in the z-direction. Hence only
the velocity vz is considered here.

• Consider a shell at a distance y and

of thickness Δy
 • Step 1,2,3 & 4 : Conservation of momentum balance equation, vz, Δy shell &
momentum balance for steady state conditions……
• Law of conservation of Momentum
Rate of momentum I/P – Rate of momentum O/P + {Sum of forces acting on the
system(gravity, pressure)} = 0………. (1)
Keep it in mind…..Rate = (Flux) x (Area)
Rate of momentum @ distance “y”,….. IP =
Rate of momentum @ distance “y+Δy”,….. OP =
Pressure forces acting on the shell is =

Substitute all the expressions in (1)…..

−
• Step 5: Formulate the Rearranging Eqn……. (2)
differential equation for the
momentum flux by Dividing both sides by ……
considering the shell
thickness approaching zero.
Thus, we will get the first
differential equation By applying the limit Δy  0……
………. (3)
• Step 6: Integrate the differential
Integrating (3)…..
equation formed to get the
momentum flux distribution.

• Step 7: Apply B.C 1: @ y = 0…….τyz = 0……sub in Eqn (4)….

the boundary  C1 = 0
condition and ……. (5)
find the
constant value. Y= mX……form…..τrz linearly
Momentum Flux Profile
changes with “y”
• Step 8: Apply the Newton’s law
(5)===τyz = − μ
of viscosity and obtain a
differential equation for the
velocity distribution. =−
• Step 9: Integrate the differential
equation to get the velocity
distribution. It will appear with a
=−
constant of integration.
• Step 10: Apply the boundary B.C 2: @ y = H…….vz = 0 …… (6)== =
conditions to evaluate the constant
values. Get the velocity distribution
equation. == = −

= =

Velocity profile v parabolic profile with “y”

 Summary……
Flow between two parallel plates…….
• Velocity profile is parabola

• Momentum flux is linear

……. (5)
• Step 11: From the velocity distribution, the other parameters such
as maximum velocity, average velocity, flowrate etc. can be
evaluated.
Maximum velocity……

• The maximum velocity of the fluid will be exhibited at the

centre of the duct
• ….i.e…..@ y = 0………vz  vz,max….

(7)==
= =
Volumetric Flowrate: Average velocity…… vz,av
The total volumetric flowrate of the
system, Q = =
dQ is the volumetric flow rate from
small flat strip of thickness dy From Eqn ….(8 ) =
By using…….Volumetric flowrate =
velocity x area
Q= =
𝑆𝑢𝑏 𝑣 𝑧 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐸𝑞𝑛. 7 … … =
Q=

Q= From Eqn ….( 8)

=
Q = ……(9)
Can you??????
• Special Cases:
• 1. Power law fluid
• 2. Bingham fluid
Try now…..
• A fluid is flowing in laminar flow in the x direction between two parallel
plates has a velocity profile given by
=

• where, 2yo is the distance between the plates, y is the distance from
the centre line, vx is the velocity in the x direction at position y. Derive
an equation relating vx,av with vmax.
http://www.ecourses.ou.edu/cgi-bin/ebook.cgi
?topic=fl&chap_sec=08.1&page=theory
• https://testbook.com/question-answer/for-laminar-flow-between-par
allel-plates-separated--6065dcc1461907d215340d98
• http://www.ecourses.ou.edu/cgi-bin/ebook.cgi?topic=fl&chap_sec=0
8.1&page=case_intro
 • Determine the velocity profile of the oil in the gap between the piston and
cylinder, and the leakage flow rate.
Introducti

Technician E
Leakage from the Piston-
• Assume the piston is stationary. Cylinder System
that there is
from the pis
system. He

• The gap width is small, hence assume flow between fixed parallel plates.
flow rate of t
has a diame
length of 20
between the
• Assume the flow is steady, laminar and incompressible. 0.008 mm. T
SAE-30 oil.
difference ac
• The viscosity and density of the SAE-30 oil are 0.38 N-s/m2 and 912 kg/m3, MPa.

respectively. Question

Technician Eugene has observed that there is constant leakage Determine th

the oil in the
of oil from the piston-cylinder hydraulic system. He wonders piston and c
leakage flow
what is the flow rate of the leakage. The piston has a diameter
of 40 mm, and a length of 20 mm. The gap width between the Dimensions of the
Problem
piston and cylinder is 0.008 mm. The working fluid is SAE-30 oil.