Can Obstacles Enhance the Speed of Incompressible Fluid Flow?

AI Thread Summary
Introducing an obstacle in a constant and homogeneous incompressible fluid flow may create at least one streamline that allows for faster flow between two endpoints compared to a scenario without the obstacle. The discussion emphasizes the importance of maintaining a constant flow rate and the implications of the obstacle on the fluid dynamics. Clarifications were made regarding the terminology, specifically distinguishing between "path" and "streamline," with the latter being the correct term in this context. The concept of "constant head between endpoints" was mentioned but lacks broader recognition in existing literature. Overall, the potential for obstacles to enhance fluid flow speed remains a topic of interest and inquiry.
Loren Booda
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I believe I heard somewhat of the following thesis on TV:

Take a constant and homogeneous fluid flow, introduce an obstacle, and you can find at least one path connecting original endpoints that is quicker than without the obstacle. Might this be so?
 
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If you keep the flow rate, I don't known how it could be different...
 
Loren Booda said:
I believe I heard somewhat of the following thesis on TV:

Take a constant and homogeneous fluid flow, introduce an obstacle, and you can find at least one path connecting original endpoints that is quicker than without the obstacle. Might this be so?
What are the constraints? Constant flow rate, constant head between endpoints...?

Also, when you say "path", do you really mean "streamline"? There's a big difference between the two, and only the latter makes any sense to me.
 
Gokul43201,

I overlooked mentioning that the fluid was incompressible, and approached a constant velocity toward infinity.

"Constant head between endpoints"[?] does not show up on Google except for this thread.

Streamline it is, not path. Thanks for the correction.
 

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