ChE614 Introduction to hydrodynamic stability

Assignment 1 Due Date: Thursday, 10 August 2017

Steady laminar flows

As discussed in lecture, obtaining the mathematical solutions of NavierStokes equations
under simplifying assumptions of steay-state, unidirectional and fully-developed flows is
a very important aspect of fluid mechanics. Indeed, even while doing stability analysis,
we first need to obtain the simple laminar flow solutions whose stability we would be ana-
lyzing later in the course. This assignment has some simple situations in which analytical
solutions are possible for NavierStokes equations. Please consult the Appendix of any
fluid mechanics or transport phenomena text book for the governing equations in various
coordinate systems.

1. Consider the steady flow of a Newtonian liquid in the gap between between two con-
centric cylinders. The outer cylinder rotates with a angular velocity o and the inner
cylinder rotates with the angular velocity i . Assuming the flow to be only in the
direction of the cylindrical coordinate system, simplify the momentum equations in
cylindrical coordinates. Let the inner radius be a and the outer radius be a(1 + ).

(a) Determine the velocity profile v (r) for the liquid.

(b) Simplify the above relation in the limit of narrow gap, i.e., 1. Comment on
the physical nature of this solution in the narrow gap limit.

2. Consider the two-layer plane Couette flow of two Newtonian fluids of viscosities a
and b as shown in the figure 1. Derive the steady, unidirectional velocity profile in
the two fluids.
Consider the limit r = a /b 0. Obtain the simplified expression for the velocity
profiles in the two layers in this limit. Interpret this result in physical terms and
qualitatively sketch the velocity profiles.
Consider the opposite limit r 1. Obtain the simplified expression for the velocity
profiles in the two layers for this case and interpret this result physically. Qualita-
tively sketch the velocity profiles.

3. Consider the flow shown in figure 2, where the flow occurs inside a long and narrow
(H L) two-dimensional channel, due to the motion of the top plate with a velocity
V . The ends of the channel are closed so that no fluid can enter or leave the channel.
Near the ends of the channel, there will be flow reversal due to the presence of the
side walls, but since the length of the channel is large compared to its width, the flow
near the center of the channel can be considered to be uni-directional.

(a) Qualitatively plot the uni-directional velocity profile far from the ends.
(b) Write down the simplified governing equations for the unidirectional flow. What
are the boundary conditions ? What restriction is placed on the velocity pro-
file due to the fact that the ends are closed and fluid cannot enter or leave the
channel ?
(c) Solve the governing equations for the steady velocity profile.

1
 moving plate
V

fluid A a

fluid B b

stationary plate

Figure 1: Schematic for Problem 3

(d) Is the pressure gradient non-zero in this problem ?. If so, calculate the pressure
gradient.
(e) Calculate the shear stress exerted by the fluid on the moving wall.

y
V
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H Fluid
x
L

Figure 2: Schematic figure for Problem 2