Shell Momentum

Balances
Flow through ANNULUS

Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 1

 FLOW THROUGH AN ANNULUS
• Many a time in chemical engineering, we come across
flow through an annulus.
• A typical example is shell and tube heat exchanger
where we want to know the fluid flow behaviour
through the annulus.
• Let us consider that an incompressible fluid of density 
and viscosity  is flowing in an annular space between
two coaxial cylinders of radii R and kR, where k
becomes the ratio of the radius of the inner cylinder to
that of the outer cylinder.
• Here, we consider the fluid to be flowing upwards in
the annular space, i.e. opposite to gravity.
• The length of the cylinder is L as shown
• Only vz component is significant
• The flow pattern can be understood by applying
Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 2
momentum balance.
• Step 1,2,3 & 4 : Conservation of momentum balance equation, vz, Δr 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 “r”,….. IP =
Rate of momentum @ distance “r+Δr”,….. OP =
Pressure forces acting on the cylindrical shell is =
is the pressure drop for the entire length …….

Substitute all the expressions in (1)…..

− Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 5

• 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 Δr  0……
………. (3)

• Step 6: Integrate the differential Integrating (3)…..

equation formed to get the
momentum flux distribution. At a distance λR from the center of the inner cylinder, vmax is attained
in the annulus, or zero momentum flux.
• Step 7: Apply B.C 1: @ r = λR…….τrz = 0……sub in Eqn (4)…. 𝑟 ∆ 𝑃 𝜆2 𝑅 2 ∆ 𝑃
the boundary  C1 = ¿⇒ 𝜏 𝑟𝑧 = −
2 𝐿 2 𝐿𝑟
condition and
find the
constant value.
¿ ⇒ 𝜏 𝑟𝑧 =
∆𝑃
2𝐿
𝑟−
𝜆2𝑅2
𝑟 [ ] ……. (5)

Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal

Momentum Flux Profile 6
 ……. (5)

Momentum Flux Profile

• If  = 0……….
• Eqn…5 = Circular pipe without ANNULUS

𝜏 𝑟𝑧 =
∆𝑃
2𝐿 ( )
𝑟
Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 7
• Step 8: Apply the Newton’s law (5)===τrz = − 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.
=
• Rearrange the equation

We have two unknown constants: C2 and λ Need TWO boundary conditions…..

• Step 10: Apply the boundary
conditions to evaluate the values of
two constants. Get the velocity
distribution equation.
B.C 2: @ r = R…….vz = 0……
B.C 2: At r = R, vz = 0
B.C 3: At r = κR, vz = 0
(7)== =
Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 8
B.C 3: At r = κR, vz = 0

Divide by =

= =
Sub in Eqn. 7….

Eqn. 7 =
Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 9
Take out =

Rearrange =

If ….k <<<1
Eqn…8 = Circular pipe without ANNULUS
Velocity profile
=

Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 10

• 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 a radial distance, R
i.e., r = R………vz  vz,max….
(8)==
= =

 =

=
Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 11
 Volumetric Flowrate:
• The total volumetric flowrate of the system, Q =
• dQ is the volumetric flow rate from small cylindrical
strip of thickness dr
Q= =
𝑆𝑢𝑏 𝑣 𝑧 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝐸𝑞𝑛. 8 ……
Q= Integration by parts

Q =

Q=

Q= (9A)
Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 12
 [ ( )]
𝑅
Let’s first find out the value of the integral 𝑟
expression….. ∫ 𝑟 𝑙𝑛
𝑅
𝑑𝑟
𝑘𝑅
Take, 𝑢=ln 𝑟 − ln 𝑅 𝑑𝑢 = 1
𝑑𝑟 𝑟
Take,
∫ 𝑢𝑑𝑣=𝑢𝑣−∫ 𝑣𝑑𝑢


Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 13

9(A)….
Q=

Q=

Q=

Q=

Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 14

 Q=

Take R2/4 outside…….

Q=

Q=

Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 15

Q=

Q=

Q=

Q=
If k <<<< 1……
Q= Eqn…10 =
Circular pipe
Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal
Volumetric flowrate profile without ANNULUS
16
 Average velocity…… vz,av
=
CSA = = CSA =

From Eqn ….( 10) =

If k <<<< 1…… =
Eqn…11 = Circular pipe
without ANNULUS Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 17
• Flow through annulus…. the =
Reynolds number is defined as

For laminar flow, NRe < 2100

For turbulent flow, NRe > 4000

Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal 18

 Prob. 1: Volume flow rate through an annulus
• A horizontal annulus, 27 ft in length, has an inner radius of 0.495 in. and an
outer radius of 1.1in. A 60% aqueous solution of sucrose is to be pumped
through the annulus at 20°C. At this temperature the solution density is 80.3
lb/ft3 and the viscosity is 136.8 lb/ft h. What is the volume flow rate when the
impressed pressure difference is 5.39 psi?

Q=
• Answer:
• Pressure drop = 5.39 psi
• k = Inner Radius / Outside Radius = 0.45
= 3.67 x 10 4 N/m2
• Density = 80.3 lb/ft3 • L = 27 ft  8.23 m
= 1287.44 kg/m3 • R = 1.1 in  0.0279 m
• Viscosity = 136.8 lb/ft h
Dr Raja S, MIT, Manipal Q = 3.09 x 10– 3 m3/s 19
0.0566 kg/ m s