Laminar flow exits an inclined tube

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of viscous fluid flow exiting an inclined tube, specifically focusing on the formation of a fountain and the subsequent movement of the fluid. Participants explore theoretical models, experimental setups, and the complexities introduced by nearby surfaces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks existing studies on the movement of fluid after it exits an inclined tube, assuming Newtonian fluid behavior and Poiseuille flow.
  • Several participants confirm the fluid exits from the top end of the inclined tube.
  • Questions arise regarding the height of the fountain relative to the diameter of the pipe and whether this height would lead to significant deviations from a ballistic trajectory.
  • A participant mentions the complexity introduced by the presence of a nearby surface, suggesting that this complicates the flow dynamics.
  • Another participant proposes a mathematical approach to derive an asymptotic relation for the depth-averaged radial exit velocity distribution, particularly under varying surface inclinations.
  • It is noted that inside the tube, the flux follows a parabolic profile, but complexities arise close to the exit, especially for horizontal surfaces where the exiting fluid may fall back onto the stream.
  • A suggestion is made that numerical simulations may be necessary to analyze the flow behavior on inclined planes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying viewpoints on the effects of surface inclination and the complexities of the flow, indicating that multiple competing views remain. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the best approach to model the fluid behavior.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include assumptions about fluid behavior, the dependence on surface geometry, and the unresolved nature of the mathematical modeling steps proposed by participants.

arthurchen
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I am working on a problem in which viscous flow comes out from an inclined tube, forming some kind of a fountain. In the tube the fluid is Newtonian and the flow can be treated as Poiseuille flow. I want to study the movement of the fluid after it leaves the tube. Can someone point me about the existing study and research on this? Thanks.
 
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It comes out from the top end of the inclined tube?
 
siddharth23 said:
It comes out from the top end of the inclined tube?
Yes
 
Is the fountain very high/large compared to the diameter of the pipe? Is there a good reason to expect a large deviation from a ballistic trajectory?
 
mfb said:
Is the fountain very high/large compared to the diameter of the pipe? Is there a good reason to expect a large deviation from a ballistic trajectory?
I attached a photo of the experiment I am trying to model. The fluid has significant deformation.
 

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Oh, and with a surface nearby, then things get complicated.
 
mfb said:
Oh, and with a surface nearby, then things get complicated.
Yes. Is it possible to get some asymptotic relation of the depth averaged radial exit velocity (parallel to the surface) distribution? I mean, if the surface is horizontal, surely the exit velocity is a constant and depth are the same. When the surface has an inclination \alpha, my guess is that the flux per length behaves like
Q=\oint\boldsymbol{n}\cdot\boldsymbol{u}h dl\sim\int_{-\pi}^{\pi}\Gamma(\alpha,\theta)rd\theta,
where r is the radius of the tube, and the flux \Gamma satisfies
\Gamma(\alpha,-\pi)=\Gamma(\alpha,\pi)=0,\,\Gamma(\alpha,-\theta)=\Gamma(\alpha,\theta),\,\Gamma(0,\theta)=\text{constant}.

I do not need to solve the exact trajectory of the fluid, an approximated distribution of \Gamma is enough.
 
Inside the tube and far away from the exit, flux should still follow a parabolic profile. Close to the exit, things get different. For a horizontal surface, the exiting water will fall back on the stream, and then I don't see how you could avoid numerical simulations. Those are a good idea for inclined planes as well, I think.
 

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