Derivation of Continuity Equation in Cylindrical Coordinates

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving the continuity equation in cylindrical coordinates using the conservation of mass principle. Key points include the importance of accounting for the changing surface area in the radial direction, specifically the term involving the radial velocity and the area element. Participants highlighted the necessity of including the factor of 'r' when evaluating the mass flow rates across surfaces in cylindrical coordinates. The corrected expression for the outward mass flow rate incorporates the surface area expansion, leading to a more accurate formulation of the continuity equation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the conservation of mass principle in fluid dynamics
  • Familiarity with cylindrical coordinate systems
  • Knowledge of vector calculus and partial derivatives
  • Experience with fluid flow equations and mass transfer concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the continuity equation in Cartesian coordinates for comparison
  • Learn about the application of the Navier-Stokes equations in cylindrical coordinates
  • Explore the concept of mass flow rates and their implications in fluid dynamics
  • Investigate the role of surface area in fluid flow calculations
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in fluid dynamics, mechanical engineers, and anyone involved in the study of mass transfer in cylindrical systems will benefit from this discussion.

jhuleea
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Help! I am stuck on the following derivation:

Use the conservation of mass to derive the corresponding continuity equation in cylindrical coordinates.


Please take a look at my work in the following attachments. Thanks! =)
 

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I think it's in the first attachment where you chose to evaluate only \rho v_r[/tex] between r and r+dr and not the entire term. You forgot here to include the r, which comes down to taking into account the changing radial velocity but not the change in surface area the fluid flows through.
 
da_willem,

Thank you thank you thank you! After picking over my work for about a week now, I can't believe I oversaw this rudimentary step!

Your help is greatly appreciated! =)
 
No problem, glad to be of help.
 
"the change in surface area the fluid flows through"

that's the one that had me puzzled for ages, too. once you see it though (or at least once it's pointed out) it seems so obvious.

so thanks from me too:biggrin:
 
Help

Hey, I'm doing the same problem and was wondering if you could possibly post the corrected solution to this problem asap.

Thanks,

James
 
in the outward mass flow rate expression posted above, the r-plane surface area expands moving outwards, so the 1st term should be (r+dr) dtheta dz (rho vr)...etc.

fix that, then combine flow rates and divide by dV = dr dz dtheta and you're A for away
 
just want to be sure, should it be like this below?

dV\frac{d\rho}{dt}=dV\frac{\partial\rho}{\partial t}+d\theta dz{[r \rho u_{r}]}\right|^{r+}_{r-}+dr dz{[\rho u_{\theta}]\right|^{\theta +}_{\theta -}}+rd\theta dr {[\rho u_{z}]\right|^{z+}_{z-}}
 
Can i get the whole of the corrected derivation please .
 
  • #10
i went to know how i can prove the continuity equation of mass transfer in cylindrical coordinates
 

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