Reynolds Transport Theorem

Prof. S V Prabhu, IITB, Mumbai

CONTROL VOLUME AND SYSTEM REPRESENTATIONS

Two approaches through which governing laws can be
applied to a fluid
Control Volume Approach
System Approach
System is a collection of matter of fixed identity (always
the same atoms or fluid particles), which may move, flow
and interact with its surroundings
Control Volume is a volume in space (a geometric entiry,
independent of mass) through which the fluid may move
In fluid mechanics difficult to identify and keep track of a specific
quantity of matter
Finding the forces acting on a fan, airplane or automobile by air flowing
past the object is more important than the information obtained by
following a given portion of air (system) as it flows along control
volume approach preferred

Fixed control volume

Fixed or moving control volume

Deforming Control Volume

Fixed or moving

System or Lagrangian description we follow the fluid

and observe its behaviour as it moves about
Control volume or Eulerian description we remain
stationary and observe the fluids behaviour at its
location
If a moving control volume is used, it virtually never moves
with the system - the system flows through the control
volume
All of the governing laws are stated for system approach
The mass of a system remains constant
The time rate of change of momentum of a system is
equal to the sum of all the forces acting on the system
THE GOVERNING LAWS OF FLUID MOTION ARE STATED
IN TERMS OF FLUID SYSTEMS, NOT CONTROL VOLUMES

Differences between dm sys and

dt

Time rate of change of mass within the system

Time rate of change of mass within the control
volume decreases with time

THE REYNOLDS TRANSPORT THEOREM

There is a need to describe the laws governing fluid
motion using both system concepts (consider a given
mass of the fluid) and control volume concepts (consider a
given volume)
An analytical tool from shifting from one representation to
the another Reynolds Transport Theorem

Derivation of Reynolds Transport Theorem

control volume stationary volume within pipe between sections 1 & 2

At time t, SYS = CV
At time t+ t, SYS = CV I + II
II outflow from the control volume from time t to t + t
I inflow into the control volume from time t to t + t

B EXTENSIVE PARAMETER OF THE SYSTEM

AT TIME t,
AT TIME t+t,
B sys
t

B sys t t B sys t B cv t t B I t t B II t t B sys t

t
t

Bsys
t
Bsys
t

Bcv t t B I t t B II t t Bcv t

t
Bcv t t Bcv t B I t t
B II t t

t
t
t

b dV
B t t Bcv t
Bcv

Lim cv

cv
t
t
t
t 0

BII t t 2 b2 A2 V2 t

B II t t
B
2 A2 V2 b2
out Lim
t
t 0
BI t t 1 b1 A1 V1 t

B Lim B I t t A V b
in
1 1 1 1

t
t 0

DBsys
Dt

DB sys
Dt

Bcv

B out B in
t

Bcv

2 A2 V2 b2 1 A1 V1 b1
t

DBsys
Dt

Bcv

B out B in
t

Reynolds Transport Theorem is valid under the following

assumptions
Fixed control volume with one inlet and one outlet
Uniform properties (density, velocity, and the parameter
b ) across the inlet and outlet
Velocity is normal to sections 1 and 2

Control volume and system for flow through an arbitrary,

fixed control volume

B out

- Net flowrate of the property B from the control volume

Addition of the contributions through each infinitesimal aera

element of size A on the portion of the control surface
dividing region II and the control volume. This surface - CSout

Amount of the property B carried

across the area element A in the
time interval t

B bV b V cos t A

The rate at which B is carried out of

the control volume across the small
area element A

b V
bV cost
Lim
A bV cosA
t
t 0 t
t 0

B out Lim

By integrating over the entire outflow portion of the control surface

CSout

Bout

dBout

csout

bV cos dA

csout

The quantity Vcos is the component of the velocity normal to the

area element A.
B

bV .ndA

V cos V . n

out

csout

By considering the inflow portion of the control surface, Cs in

The inflow rate of B into the control volume

B in bV cos dA bV .ndA
c sin

c sin

points out from the control volume

-90o < < 90o for outflow regions, the normal component of
V is positive; V .n
is POSITIVE
90o < < 270o for inflow regions, the normal component of V
is negative;
V .n is NEGATIVE

The Net Flux (Flowrate) of Parameter B Across The

Control Surface Is

B out B in

bV ndA bV ndA bV ndA

csout
cs
c sin

DBsys
Dt

DB sys
Dt

Bcv

B out B in
t

cv

bdV

cs

bV ndA