Navier-Stokes Equations

A mathematical description of fluid motion

under the following assumptions:
Constant density,
Constant viscosity,
Continuity (incompressible flow)

u = 0
CHEM 520

Derivation of N-S
Derivation based on force balance about a fluid element:
Net force = sum of forces
Convective force (convective transport of
momentum), uu
Viscous stress forces (viscous forces),
Pressure forces, p
z
External forces, e.g. gravity, g

u = uu p + F
t
u = uu p + g
t

z
x

CHEM 520

Derivation of N-S
= u

Viscous stress tensor

For Newtonian fluid

( )

( )

xx yx zx

xy
yy
zy

xz yz zz

xx = 2 + 2 3 u
x

yy = 2 + 2 3 u
y

3-D

zz = 2 + 2 3 u
z

u v
xy = yx = +
y x

( )

1-D

yx

u
=
y

v w

+
z y

yz = zy =

w u
+
x z

zx = xz =

CHEM 520

Derivation of N-S
Viscous stress (recap)
Stress has unit of pressure.
It describes the local variation in velocity.
Viscous force = Stress x area
Force balance using stress:
Viscous forces balance (1) convective force,
(2) pressure force, and (3) external force.
A = ugrad(u) A + P A + F A

yx

u
=
y

0
CHEM 520

Derivation of N-S
From force balance:
Constant and :
Navier-Stokes eqt.
Inviscid flow, = 0 :
Eulers eqt.

D u = p + F
Dt
ur
D ur = ur p + F

Dt
ur
r
r
D
2
u = u p + F
Dt
D u = p + F
Dt

CHEM 520

N-S equation summary

Assumptions:
Constant density,
Constant viscosity,
Continuity (incompressible flow)
Rate of change of
momentum; net
acceleration

Convective
+
force

u = 0
Viscous
force

Pressure
force

External
force

u + u u = 2u p + F

t
u = u u + 2u p + F
t
Rate of change Convective
force
of momentum;
net acceleration

Viscous Pressure External

force
force
force

CHEM 520

N-S Equation in 1-D

In 1-D problem
2
u

u + u = 2 u dp + Fx
t
dx
x
x

Rate of change of
momentum; net
acceleration

External force
e.g. gravity
Convective
force

Viscous
force

Pressure
force
CHEM 520

Dimensional Analysis

Why?
Reduction of information,
Parameters and variables in a typical fluid system: P, D, U, ,
.
Parameters and variables in a typical reactive transport system
without effects due to electrical field: T, U, c, , , k, Dab, P, ra,
,
How about with electric field effects? Like electrochemical
systems?
Simplify problem and focus on important physical phenomena.
An art that depends on physical insights of problem at hand.
As a check to your solution when you can simplify the physics

CHEM 520

Dimensional Analysis
1-D, viscous forces dominant
2

u
u + u = 2 u dp + Fx
t
x
dx
x

*
*
*
2
u
u
dp

*
DU
*
*
u
u
+
F
+
=
x
*
2

*
*
*

t
x
dx

*
*
*
2
u
dp

u
*
*
*
Re
u
+
F
+u
=
x
2

*
*
*
*

t
dx
x x

Drop *

u
u

Re + u = 2 u dp + Fx
x x
t
dx

u* = u / U
x* = x / D
p * = p /( U / D )
Fx* = Fx /( U / D)
t * = Ut / D

Re =

Du

CHEM 520

Dimensional Analysis
3-D case, we have

u
Re + u u = 2u p + F

When inertia forces are important, pressure scales as U2

u + u u =1/ Re2u p + F
t
2
u
dp + F
1

u + u =

u
t x Re x 2 dx x

u* = u / U
x* = x / D
p * = p /( U 2 )
Fx* = Fx /(U 2 / D)
t * = Ut / D

CHEM 520

Reynolds Number
A ratio of inertial to viscous forces.
D = characteristic dimension.

U = magnitude of velocity.

e.g. pipe/diameter, non-circular

duct/hydraulic diameter.
4 x cross sectional area
Dh =
wetted perimeter

Re =

Du

e.g. Average velocity <U>.

= fluid density.
= fluid viscosity.

CHEM 520

Reynolds Number
High, Re > 4000; turbulent
Inertial forces dominant
e.g. ocean waves, air flow past
wing, tornado.

Intermediate, 2100< Re < 4000

Inertial >< viscous forces
e.g. pipe flow, open channel flow.

Low, 0.1-1 < Re < 2100; laminar

Re =

Du

Viscous forces dominant

e.g. pipe flow

V. low, Re < 0.1-1; creeping

Very viscous flow
e.g. polymer flow, bacteria, blood
CHEM 520

High and Low Re

High Re
Inertial forces
dominant

Low Re
Viscous forces
dominant

u + u u =1/ Re2u p + F
t
0 for large Re

u + u u = p + F
t

Re + u u = 2u p + F

0 for low Re

0 = 2u p + F
CHEM 520

High and Low Re

Low Re
Viscous forces
dominant

High Re
Inertial forces
dominant

0 = 2u p + F

u + u u = p + F
t
Convective
force
Rate of
change of
momentum;

External
force

Viscous
force

Pressure
force

External
force

Pressure
force
CHEM 520

The ABCs of solving fluid problems

Assumptions and geometries

Mass balance, min = mout
Continuity
u = 0
Navier-Stokes Equation
u + u u = 2u p + F domain

Need to specify:
t
Boundary Conditions

No-slip condition: u=0 at border

Slip condition: u=u* at interface

(e.g. liquid/liquid, gas/liquid)
Initial Conditions
u=0 at t=0
(Energy balance)
Attempt to simplify problem based on physical insights and symmetry.
Solve problem

CHEM 520

High Re example: Stagnation Point Flow Hiemenz Problem

u + u u = p + F
t

P = Ax 2
for all ys
near
surface

Flow
x
y

++Viscous
Viscous
effects
effects

P
y
x

CHEM 520

High Re example: Stagnation Point Flow Hiemenz Problem

P = A(1 4 sin 2 )
P

P = Ax 2

CHEM 520

Recap: Flow past cylinder

Flow past cylinder
2-D simulation and
experiments

D u = 2u p + F
Dt

M. Van Dyke, An Album of Fluid Motion, Parabolic Press,

(1982, Stanford, CA), p.31.

Re=10,000
CHEM 520

Low Re - example

Re + u u = 2u p + F

0 for low Re

0 = 2u p + F
3 U ( D / 2)
p p =
cos
2
r
2
P =

3 cos
4 r2

D.J.Acheson, Elementary Fluid Dynamics, Oxford, (Oxford, 1990) p.223

CHEM 520

Creep Flow Past Cylinder

Re=0.04

M. Van Dyke, An Album of Fluid Motion, Parabolic Press,

(1982, Stanford, CA), p.11. [Re=0.16]

CHEM 520

Creep Flow Past Cylinder

p p =

3 U ( D / 2)
cos
r2
2

P =

3 cos
4 r2

P
Re=0.04

CHEM 520

Creeping Flow
Uniqueness of flow
Many bodies interactions may become
important

Reversibility
e.g.:
Spermatozoan (p.235 Acheson)
Bacteria, protein molecules, polymer,
suspensions
CHEM 520

Example: Creeping flow in complex

geometry

CHEM 520

Transport Analogies

Mode of transport

Transport
variable

Transport Transport Equation

coef.

Momentum

u + u u = 2u p + F

Energy

C T + u T = k2T p( u)

Mass

cA

DAB

c A
+ u c A = D 2c A + R
AB
A
t

CHEM 520