I.

Objectives
To measure and demonstrate two-dimensional laminar flow patterns
incompressible fluids. Specially the formation of Rankine Half body, Rankine Oval,
Circular Streamlines from a Doublet.

II. Materials / Equipment Needed

1. Laminar Flow Table
2. Water / Alcohol Soluble Dye
3. Water

III. Equipment Set-Up

Note:
 Weir Plate, Inlet Control Valve, Bypass Valve – Adjusted to give minimum steady
flow rate available.
 Dye Regulating Valve – Adjusted to give fine, clearly defined dye streams.

IV. Theory

 Ideal Fluid Flow

Ideal Fluid is a part of what is studied in aerodynamics. Law of
conservation of mass and conservation of energy are two principles given
importance in aerodynamics study. To which ideal fluid exemplifies one that is
inviscid, has zero viscosity and incompressible. Ideal fluids are said to be inviscid
because it does not have internal friction between the molecules. While when we
say incompressible it literally means that the fluid cannot be compressed and has
relatively constant density throughout.

 Properties of Ideal Fluid Flow

- Streamlines and Streamtubes
Streamlines are lines that are tangential to the instantaneous
velocity direction. At all points the direction of the streamline is the
direction of the fluid velocity. While close to the wall the velocity is found
to be parallel to the wall so the streamline is also said to be parallel to the
wall. It is then said that the position of streamlines change with time and
this is in the case of unsteady flow. While position of streamlines does not
change when in steady flow.
Stramlines on closed loop, form tube that is impermeable since
the wall of the tube forms streamlines and there can be no flow
perpendicular to the streamline. . This tube however is called stream tubes.
we see that for a steady, one-dimensional flow, the mass-flow rate is
constant along a stream tube. In a constant density flow, therefore, the cross-
sectional area of the stream tube gives information on the local velocity.
Things to recognize when studying streamlines and streamtubes:
 • Fluid does not cross a streamline because fluid moves in the same
direction.
• It is impossible to have two velocities at the same point due to
streamlines can not come across each other.
• These two have been stated just implies that fluid will stay on the same
streamline all throughout its flow.

Analysis of Two Dimensional Flow

If flow parameters vary in the direction of flow and in one direction at right angles to
this direction then the flow is two-dimensional. In a two-dimensional flow, streamlines are
curved lines on a plane and are the same on all parallel planes. A best illustration of this is the
flow over a weir foe which its typical streamlines are shown in the figure. You can obviously
notice that he flow is the same over the majority of the length of the weir – however there
will be a slight change at the two ends.

Two-dimensional flow over a weir.

Stream Function

Two dimensional analysis will be explained by stream function. A volumetric

flow rate known as the flux may result to a difference between the values of the
stream function which is illustrated by a line connecting two points.

It is a well known fact that streamlines are tngent and in effect would give a
value of the same stream function throughout the stramline. However, it would not be
forming tangent to the ‘line’ if a flux will result and hence would not be a streamline
after all.

Stream Function find its importance in the fact that the velocity components in
the x and y directions at a given point are given by the partial derivatives of the
stream function at that point. A stream function may be defined for any flow of
dimensions greater than two, however the two dimensional case is generally the
easiest to visualize and derive.

The stream function ψ for a two dimensional flow is defined such that the flow velocity can
be expressed as:
Where u and v are the velocities in the x and y directions, respectively.

This formulation of the stream function satisfies the two dimensional continuity equation:

Two Dimensional Stream Function: The Derivation

Consider two points A and B in two dimensional plane flow. If the distance between these
two points is very small: δn, and a stream of flow passes between these points with an
average velocity, q perpendicular to the line AB, the volume flow rate per unit thickness, δΨ
is given by:

(1.1)

As δn → 0, rearranging this expression, we get:

(1.2)

Now consider two dimensional plane flow with reference to a coordinate system. Suppose an
observer looks along an arbitrary axis in the direction of increase and sees flow crossing the
axis from right to left. A sign convention is adopted such that the velocity of the flow is
positive. However, this sign convention is not universal and thus ought be taken with caution.
A couple of examples ought clarify this point

III. Flow in Cartesian coordinates (x,y)

By observing the flow into an elemental square in an x-y coordinate system, we have:

(1.3)
(1.4)

where u is the velocity parallel to and in the direction of the x-axis, and v is the velocity
parallel to and in the direction of the y-axis. In this case, we have a negative velocity of -u
since the flow crosses the y-axis from left to right. Thus as δn → 0 and by rearranging, we
have:

(1.5)

(1.6)
Flow in Polar coordinates (r,θ)

By observing the flow into an elemental square in an r-θ coordinate system (where r expands
outward from the origin and θ is positive anticlockwise), we have:

(1.7)
(1.8)

where vr is the velocity parallel to and in the direction of the r-axis, and vθ is the velocity
parallel to and in the direction of the θ-axis. In this case, we have a negative velocity of -vr
since the flow crosses the θ-axis from left to right. Thus as δn → 0 and by rearranging, we
have:

(1.9)

(1.10)

Continuity: The Derivation

Consider two dimensional plane flow within a Cartesian coordinate system. Continuity states
that if we consider flow into an elemental square, the flow into that small element must equal
the flow out of that element.

The total flow into the element is given by:

(2.1)

The total flow out of the element is given by:

(2.2)

Thus we have:
 (2.3)

(2.4)

and simplifying to:

(2.5)

(NB: Whilst we have ignored the earlier sign convention for Ψ, the mathematics ought work
out fine but this proof is perhaps slightly tidier and easier to follow). Substituting the
expressions of the stream function into this equation, we have:

(2.6)
(The above derivation is adopted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stream_function)

Velocity Potential

A velocity potential is used in fluid dynamics, when a fluid is irrotational. In

such a case,

As a result, the velocity vector field, V, can be represented as the gradient of a scalar
function:

Φ is the velocity potential.

Unlike a stream function , a velocity potential can exist in three-dimensional flow, although
the necessary condition above for its existence is rather restrictive.

(The above derivation is adopted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stream_function)

V. Procedure
1. Level the working area using the screw adjusting feet provided. The level may be
accurately checked using a spirit level on the lower glass laid normal, parallel, and
diagonal to the direction of flow.
2. Clean the inside surfaces of the glass plates using a de-greasing solvent such as
carbon tetrachloride.
3. Close the entire sink and source taps and drains cocks on the inlet and outlet tanks.
4. Ensure that the water supply and drain facilities are connected.
5. Start water flowing through the apparatus and adjust the inlet valve, bypass valve and
downstream overshot weir o give a depth of flow approximately level with the bottom
face of the top glass.
6. Lower the top glass to make the final adjustment to the flow and level control weir.
This operation must be performed carefully to ensure that air bubbles are eliminated
from the space between the glass plates. The leading edge (i.e. die injector end) of the
top glass plate should coincide with the leading edge of the bottom plate. With water
flowing across the apparatus and the flow and depth adjusted as described above, the
front edge of the glass is lowered slowly into position pivoting about rear edge. The
water surface should contact the lower surface of the glass progressively to ensure
complete air expulsion. Failure to exclude air may be due to the following causes: (a)
Depth of water is insufficient, (b) Dirt or grease on glass, (c) Source or sink not fully
closed, and (d) Rapid or uneven lowering of the glass.
7. Remove air in the sink or source line by opening the valves and flushing the lines
through. Air bubbles introduced between the glass plates through the source line may
be removed as described in procedure 6.
8. Clean the fine tubes of the injector by flushing water through it. Passing a fine wire
along the tubes may clear any blockages.
9. Fill dye reservoir with a water or alcohol dye and open the regulating valve.
10. Ensure that the dye rake discharges are submerged and that dye flows freely from
each rake.
11. Blockages caused by air bubbles may be relieved by alight tap or by pressurizing the
free surface of the dye in the reservoir.
12. Determine the flow rates associated with each of the source or orifices in the floor of
the working section. Removing the sink drainpipe from the sink manifold and
collecting the discharged water in a measuring cylinder determine measurement of the
sink flow rate. During this operation the corresponding source control valve should be
fully closed and the orifice pinch clip fully open. Measurement of the source flow rate
is determined via a sink drainpipe in the same way. During this operation, the
corresponding sink control valve should be fully open and the orifice pinch clip fully
closed. After measurement, the sink control valve should be fully closed and the
pinch clip fully opened.
13. Adjust the weir plate, inlet control valve, and bypass valve to give the minimum
steady flow rate available, without admitting air between the glass plates. The
corresponding low water velocity through the test section will provide near-ideal flow
conditions.
14. Open and adjust the dye-regulating valve to give fine, clearly defined dye streams,
which indicate relevant streamlines.
15. To form a pattern known as Rankine “Half-Body”, introduce flow from a central
source orifice by opening the respective control valve. Separation of the central dye
streams is semi-infinite provided the source flow rate is constant. The source flow
rate may be adjusted to demonstrate the change in size of the body produced.
16. To form a pattern known as “Rankine Oval”, repeat procedure 15 with the addition of
a sink downstream of the source. As the flow rate of the sink is increased, the half
 body is modified in shape. When the source and sink flow rates are equal, the
streamlines close to produce a Rankine Oval.
17. To form a Doublet, introduce flow from a central orifice on the table, which are in
fact two orifices in close proximity such that a coincident sink and source can be
demonstrated. The result is a circular streamline surrounding the Doublet, which acts
like a solid cylindrical boundary to external flow. Within this boundary, circulation
patterns exist which may be demonstrated by introducing a few crystals of potassium
permanganate. This effect is an extension of the Rankine Oval with sinks and source
coincidence.
18. Repeat procedures 15 to 17 for different combinations of sinks, sources, and flow
rates.
19. After the experiment, the whole system must be flushed through with clean water to
remove traces of dye.

VI. Results and Discussion

Illustrate / Draw the following patterns (with actual dimensions/size) for different
combinations of sinks, sources, and flow rates:
 Rankine “Half Body”

 Rankine Oval
 Doublet

Discuss the results. Mention the Importance of the patterns

VII. Conclusions
VIII. References
1. Munson, Bruce R., Young, Donald F., Okiishi, Theodore H., Fundamentals of
Fluid Dynamics, 3rd Edition, Wiley, New York (1998)
2. Welty, J.R., Wick, C.E., Wilson, R.E, Fundamentals of Momentum, Heat, and
Mass Transfer, 3rd Edition, Wiley, New York (1984)