Dimensionless constants Page 1 of 4

UMAKOR Kate E.

Matriculation No: 070401044

Chemical Engineering

University of Lagos

CHG 405: Principles of Plant Design I

Dr. Akinjide A. Akinola

January 19, 2011

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Question: List and define 10 dimensionless constants

Ten dimensionless constants are:
i. Re
ii. Np
iii. Fr
iv. Kn
v. Z
vi. Sc
vii. Nu
viii. We
ix. Pr
x. Bl

The definition of each term is as follows:

i. Re: Reynolds Number
This is the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces. Mathematically;
Re =
Where ρ = fluid density, kg/m3
μ = viscosity, Ns/m
ν = fluid velocity, m/s
d = pipe diameter, m

ii. Np: Power Number

This is the ratio of drag force to inertial force for power consumption calculations.
Mathematically,
Np =
Where P = shaft power, W
ρ = fluid density, kg/m3
D = agitator diameter, m
N = agitator speed, s-1 (revolutions per second) (rps)

iii. Fr: Froude Number

This is the ratio of inertial force to gravitational force. Mathematically,
Fr =
Where N = agitator speed, s-1 (revolutions per second) (rps)
g = gravitational acceleration, 9.81 m/s2
D = agitator diameter, m

iv. Kn: Knudsen Number

This is the ratio of the length of mean free path relative to characteristic length of system.
Mathematically,
Kn =
Where λ = mean free path length, m
L= length of system, m
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v. Z: Ohnesorge Number
This is the ratio of the viscous force to the square root of the product of inertial and
surface forces. Mathematically,
Z=
Where μ = viscosity, Ns/m
ρ = fluid density, kg/m3
L= length, m
= surface tension, N/m

vi. Sc: Schmidt Number

This is the ratio of momentum and mass diffusivities. Mathematically,
Sc =
Where μ = viscosity, Ns/m
ρ = fluid density, kg/m3
D = diffusivity, m2/s

vii. Nu: Nusselt Number

This is dimensionless temperature gradient at the surface of pipes for turbulent flow.
Mathematically,
Nu =
Where = inside coefficient, W/m2 oC
= equivalent (or hydraulic mean) diameter, m
= fluid thermal conductivity, W/m oC

viii. We: Weber Number

This is the ratio of inertia to surface tension forces. Mathematically,
We =
Where ρ = fluid density, kg/m3
= velocity, m/s
L = length, m
= surface tension, N/m

ix. Pr: Prandtl Number

This is the ratio of the momentum and mass diffusivities. Mathematically,
Pr =
Where = fluid specific heat or heat capacity, J/kgoC
= fluid viscosity at the bulk fluid, Ns/m2
fluid thermal conductivity, W/m oC
x. Bl: Blake Number
This is the ratio of inertia force to viscous force in flow through bed of solids.
Mathematically,
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Bl =
Where V = flow velocity through the bed, m/s
μ = viscosity, Ns/m
= voidage
S = specific surface area of the particles, m-1
ρ = fluid density, kg/m3