Fluid mechanics : Two dimensional converging flow

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on modeling two-dimensional converging flow of non-compressible Newtonian viscous fluids using a polar coordinate system. The user outlines boundary conditions and derives equations governing the flow, including the continuity equation and radial momentum equation. The conversation highlights challenges in satisfying boundary conditions and the necessity of including convection terms in the equations to achieve valid solutions. The user expresses frustration with numerical methods and the complexities of the problem while seeking clarity on the existence of solutions under specific conditions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of polar coordinate systems in fluid mechanics
  • Knowledge of non-compressible Newtonian fluid dynamics
  • Familiarity with boundary conditions in differential equations
  • Experience with numerical methods for solving ordinary differential equations (ODEs)
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the derivation of the continuity equation for polar coordinates in fluid dynamics
  • Study the implications of including convection terms in momentum equations
  • Investigate numerical methods for solving ODEs, particularly in fluid mechanics
  • Learn about boundary condition enforcement techniques in computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
USEFUL FOR

Fluid mechanics students, researchers in computational fluid dynamics, and engineers working with viscous fluid flow modeling will benefit from this discussion.

Chuckstabler
Messages
31
Reaction score
1
So, here's the problem I've come up with that I wanted to solve.

We're going to be using a polar coordinate system for this one. A will represent our angle theta, and r will represent our radial coordinate. We are going to be looking at a non-compressible Newtonian viscous fluids. I'll now put the boundary conditions for the flow and explain what I'm trying to model.

$$ V_r = V_r(r,A)$$
$$ V_A = 0 $$
$$ V_r(r, +A_0) = 0 $$
$$ V_r(r, -A_0) = 0 $$

As we can see, this try's to model a two dimensional flow through some sort of nozzle with viscosity. With the assumptions above, the continuity equation reduces to

$$ \frac {1} {r} \frac {\partial (rV_r(r,A))} {\partial r} = 0$$

Which can only be true if

$$ V_r(r,A) = \frac {f(A)} {r} $$

Using the fact that ##V_r(r,A) = \frac {f(A)} {r}## and using our assumptions we can simplify the radial momentum equation to the following form
$$ \frac {d^2f(A)} {dA^2} \frac {1} {r^3} - \frac {\partial P} {\partial r} \frac {1} {u} = \frac {p} {u} \frac {f(A)^2} {r^3} $$

Multiplying both sides by ## r^3 ## and rearranging terms we arrive at the following form
$$\frac {\partial P} {\partial r} \frac {r^3} {u} = \frac {d^2f(A)} {dA^2} + \frac {p} {u} f(A)^2 $$

This would be all fine and dandy except that the angular momentum equation gives me this

$$ \frac {\partial P} {\partial A} = \frac {2u} {r^2} \frac {df(A)} {dA} $$

So now I'm stuck. What exactly should I be doing next? My ultimate goal is to get some ODE for ##f(A)## but I don't know if that's even possible.

Edit ; I could just assume that r^3/u * dP/dr = constant, but can I really just do that?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Suppose ##P=\frac{2\mu f}{r^2}##
 
Oh, that should help. I'll work on it and see what I find. I'll post an update soon. Thanks Chestermill (seriously you're fantastic; you've helped me on two problems so far and I really appreciate it).

UPDATE :

So, if we take your ansatz we find that the angular momentum equation is automatically satisfied. That's a good start. We then find that the radial momentum equation reduces to something. I'll figure that out and update
 
Last edited:
As an update ; now I'm having problems with boundary conditions. I can't actually enforce the damn boundary conditions, which is problematic. I'll post an update soon. I tried numerically using maple and no matter what I try it always ends up with f being 0 at theta = pi/2.Weeeeeeellll then. Why is nothing as easy as I ever hope it would be.

So I end up with this : F" = -4*F + p/u * F^2. I wanted to just ignore the convective term p/u*F^2, but if I do that I end up with something that cannot satisfy the boundary condition F(-Theta) = 0 F(theta) = 0. That's because the solution ends up being c1*cos(2theta) + c2*sin(2theta). Numerically however by keeping the p/u*F^2 term the boundary conditions can be satisfied. This is REALLY weird. I can't even express how weird this is to me at the moment. I don't know why.

Have I just had too much caffeine? Am I insane? Is there actually no solution unless we include convection?

Or maybe not, because now I'm having trouble numerically as well.

Okay well a solution definitely exists given the convection term is retained. The initial value of F(0) determines the roots of the solution given the convection term is retained.
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
597
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
856
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K