Scribd
Upload
12 views2 pages

Laminar Film Flow Velocity Profile Analysis

The document presents a solution to a problem involving laminar film flow of oil down a vertical wall under gravity. It derives the velocity profile using the Navier-Stokes equation, applying various assumptions to simplify the governing equations. The final result indicates that the velocity profile is maximum at the surface and flows downward, consistent with the effects of gravity.

Uploaded by

gopalrajak2002
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
12 views2 pages

Laminar Film Flow Velocity Profile Analysis

The document presents a solution to a problem involving laminar film flow of oil down a vertical wall under gravity. It derives the velocity profile using the Navier-Stokes equation, applying various assumptions to simplify the governing equations. The final result indicates that the velocity profile is maximum at the surface and flows downward, consistent with the effects of gravity.

Uploaded by

gopalrajak2002
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Solution to Problem 2: Laminar Film Flow

Physics Solutions

Problem Statement
Consider a steady, incompressible, parallel, laminar flow of an oil film (viscosity µ, density ρ)
falling down a vertical wall under gravity. The film has thickness h. Gravity acts in the −z
direction. Evaluate the velocity profile uz (x).

1 Governing Equations
We start with the Navier-Stokes equation in the z-direction for Cartesian coordinates:
 2
∂ 2 uz ∂ 2 uz
  
∂uz ∂uz ∂uz ∂uz ∂P ∂ uz
ρ + ux + uy + uz =− + ρgz + µ + + (1)
∂t ∂x ∂y ∂z ∂z ∂x2 ∂y 2 ∂z 2

Assumptions and Simplifications


1. Steady State: Time derivatives are zero (∂/∂t = 0).

2. Parallel Flow: Flow is only in the vertical direction (ux = 0, uy = 0).

3. Fully Developed: Velocity does not change with height (∂uz /∂z = 0).

4. Infinite Width: No variation in the y-direction (∂/∂y = 0).

5. Pressure: No applied pressure gradient (∂P/∂z = 0).

6. Gravity: Acts downwards (gz = −g).

Applying these simplifications, the Convective Acceleration (LHS) becomes zero, and the
equation reduces to a balance between viscous forces and gravity:

d2 uz
0 = −ρg + µ (2)
dx2
Rearranging:
d2 uz ρg
2
= (3)
dx µ

2 Derivation
Integration
Integrate with respect to x once:
duz ρg
= x + C1 (4)
dx µ
Integrate a second time:
ρg 2
uz (x) = x + C1 x + C2 (5)
2µ

1
Boundary Conditions
1. No-Slip Condition at the Wall (x = 0):
The fluid sticks to the solid wall.
uz (0) = 0
Substituting into Eq. (5):
0 = 0 + 0 + C2 =⇒ C2 = 0
2. Free Surface Condition (x = h):
At the interface with the air, the shear stress τ is negligible.

duz duz
τxz = µ = 0 =⇒ =0
dx x=h dx x=h

Substituting into Eq. (4):


ρg ρgh
h + C1 = 0 =⇒ C1 = −
µ µ

3 Final Result
Substituting the constants back into the general solution:
ρg 2 ρgh
uz (x) = x − x
2µ µ
Factoring the expression:
ρg 2
uz (x) = (x − 2hx) (6)
2µ
Note: The result is negative, indicating flow in the −z (downward) direction. The magnitude
of the velocity is maximum at the surface x = h.

Sketch of Velocity Profile


z Surface (x = h)

x
Wall

⃗g

uz (x)

Gravity g acts downwards

You might also like