Graduate Fluid Mechanics: Constant Pressure and Incompressible flow

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between constant pressure and incompressible flow in fluid mechanics. It is established that if a fluid element's volume remains constant, heating it will increase pressure, contradicting the constant pressure assumption. The participants analyze the implications of this contradiction in the context of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) temperature equations, specifically questioning the disappearance of the substantial derivative of pressure. The conclusion drawn is that the book referenced contains an error in stating that the change in enthalpy is solely dependent on temperature change, neglecting pressure effects.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of incompressible flow principles
  • Familiarity with thermodynamic equations, particularly enthalpy
  • Knowledge of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) concepts
  • Basic grasp of fluid mechanics equations and derivatives
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of the incompressible flow assumption in fluid dynamics
  • Explore the derivation and application of MHD temperature equations
  • Learn about the substantial derivative in fluid mechanics
  • Investigate common errors in thermodynamic textbooks regarding enthalpy
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and magnetohydrodynamics, particularly those looking to deepen their understanding of pressure and temperature relationships in incompressible flows.

olski1
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Assuming a flow can be idealised as incompressible, then can you use the constant pressure assumption ?

I just want to get my understanding clear. My problem is the following.Consider a fluid element with volume ##V## and a fixed number of molecules. If the flow is incompressible, then the volume of this element does not change. Right? (otherwise the density would change). Then if the volume does not change, and say you heated it through some process (Joule dissipation, Viscous Dissipation, Conduction etc), then the pressure would have to increase right? So hence, you cannot use the constant pressure assumption and the incompressible assumption at the same time?

The reason I am asking is because I am looking at some MHD temperature equation derivations. There is one step where the substantial derivative ##DP/DT## disappears, where ##P## is the pressure field. There is no reason given, but if it does, then there must be some assumption that the pressure field is atleast approximately constant in both space and time. But how can this be if the fluid is also considered incompressible?

Here is the equations that have confused me

\rho \frac{Dh}{Dt} = \frac{Dp}{Dt} + \rho \dot{q}_{rad} + \nabla \cdot (k \nabla T) + \frac{1}{\sigma}\mathbf{j}^2+ \mu \nabla^2 \mathbf{V}

\rho c_p\left(\frac{\partial T}{\partial t} + (\mathbf{V} \cdot \nabla)T\right) = \rho \dot{q}_{rad} + \nabla \cdot (k \nabla T) + \frac{1}{\sigma}\mathbf{j}^2+ \mu \nabla^2 \mathbf{V}

Note that the LHS is just the definition of enthalpy substituted for ##h=c_pT## and the substantial derivative being expanded.
 
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Thermodynamically, for an incompressible fluid dh = CpdT + vdP = CpdT + dP/ρ

Chet
 
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Chestermiller said:
Thermodynamically, for an incompressible fluid dh = CpdT + vdP = CpdT + dP/ρ

Chet
...and that's the key...thanks Chester, so the book used the wrong formula.
 
olski1 said:
...and that's the key...thanks Chester, so the book used the wrong formula.
I'm not sure the book used the wrong formula. Did they actually say that dh = Cp dT? Both equations form the book look consistent with the equation I wrote down.

Chet
 
Chestermiller said:
I'm not sure the book used the wrong formula. Did they actually say that dh = Cp dT? Both equations form the book look consistent with the equation I wrote down.

Chet
Yes, the book stated dh=cpdT bizarrely
 
olski1 said:
Yes, the book stated dh=cpdT bizarrely
Go figure. Even the experts make mistakes.

Chet
 

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