Laminar Flow in channels

Learning outcome:
1. Derive Hagen Poiseuille equation.
2. Calculate mean and maximum velocity.

Introduction
Fluid distribution network involve
with fluid flow through channel (pipe,
duct etc.) .
Fluid may be forced to flow by a
fan/pump through flow section.
Flow section of a circular cross section
is known as pipe.
Flow section for non-circular cross
section is known as duct.
Small diameter of pipe tube.

Fluid velocity changes from zero at the surface

(no slip condition) to a maximum at the pipe
center

It is convenient to work with average velocity,

Vavg, which remains constant in incompressible
flow when the pipe cross-sectional area is
constant

Flow in pipes is laminar for Re2300; fully developed

if the pipe sufficiently long.

In fully developed laminar flow, moves at a constant

axial velocity along a streamline and the velocity
profile remain unchanged.

No motion in the radial direction velocity

component in the direction normal to the flow is zero

No acceleration flow is steady and fully developed

Pressure loss due to friction in a pipeline

Fluid is viscous energy loss during
flowing due to FRICTION
The effect of friction is showing as
pressure / head loss
Shear stress slows the fluid flow (real
condition)
The friction, which related to pressure
drop and head loss during flow through
pipes or ducts - Pressure drop is used to
determine pumping power requirement

Attached manometer
gives head /pressure lost
by the fluid overcoming
the shear stress.

The P1 >P2

How to determine the

pressure loss in terms of
the forces acting on the
fluid?

P1 P2 = Pressure drop, P

At wall, u = 0

Laminar flow through a round tube

Upper plate, u = 0

Lower plate, u = 0
Laminar flow through a parallel plates

Consider cylindrical fluid element in a pipe

umax

P + P

P
max

is proportional to r
Thus shear stresses varies linearly along the radius

max occurs at the wall, r = R

where y = R r thus dy = - dr

Known that

Substitute in A, gives

When r = R

u=0

Or

When r = 0

u = umax

Q =uxA

Example:

1) An oil having a viscosity of 0.1 Ns/m2 is flowing

through a circular pipe of 250 mm diameter. If the
maximum velocity is 2.5 m/s determine the mean
velocity and the radius at which such velocity may
occur. Determine the velocity at 5 cm from the wall
pipe.

2) An oil having a viscosity of 0.096 Ns/m2 and SG of

1.59 flows through a horizontal pipe of 5 cm
diameter with a pressure drop of 5886 N/m2.
Determine i) the rate of flow in kilogram per
minute, ii) the shear stress at the pipe wall.