Velocity in microchannel with temporal temperature variation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around fluid dynamics in a microchannel experiencing thermal cycling, focusing on the effects of a time-dependent temperature profile on fluid density and flow characteristics. Participants are tasked with finding the exact solutions for velocity and pressure under varying conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the normalization of equations and boundary conditions, questioning the assumptions regarding temperature gradients and their implications on fluid flow. Some suggest changing the frame of reference to simplify the analysis.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem and offering hints on potential approaches. There is a mix of attempts at deriving equations and clarifying the physical implications of the temperature variations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion over the problem statement and the physical setup, particularly regarding the assumptions about temperature gradients and their impact on density and flow. There are indications of differing interpretations of the problem's requirements.

  • #61
big dream said:
Yes, sir that would be very useful.
The short answer is "intuition, based on many years of experience."

The long answer is: I recognized that, for an observer moving to the left with a constant velocity c, the spatial coordinate in his frame of reference, X=x+ct (the X axis is also moving to the left with the observer) has constant density at every value of X (i.e., at each value of X, the density is not changing with time), since ##\rho=\rho(x+ct)=\rho(X)##. Basically, in the x frame of reference the density profile is traveling to the left like a wave moving at speed c, but in the X frame of reference, the density profile is stationary. This automatically led mathematically to the transformation of independent variables that we used.
 
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  • #62
Chestermiller said:
Before doing anything else, I need you to prove to yourself that, if we make the following transformation of variables,

t = T
y = Y
x = X - ct
v = V(X,Y)
u = U(X,Y) - c
p = P(X)

our equations reduce to:
$$\rho=\rho(X)$$
$$\frac{\partial (\rho U)}{\partial X}+\frac{\partial (\rho V)}{\partial Y}=0\tag{1}$$
$$\frac{\partial P}{\partial X}=\mu \frac{\partial ^2U}{\partial Y^2}\tag{2}$$
subject to the boundary conditions ##U=c## and ##V=0## at ##Y=0,h##. These are equivalent to the equations that an observer who is traveling at a constant speed c in the negative x direction would write. This observer would conclude that, as reckoned from his frame of reference, the system is at steady state, with all parameters functions of X and Y only.
Have you considered any scale like U=u/c , V=v/c, X= x/L, Y=y/L to reduce the momentum balance equation from $$ {\partial{\bf u}\over{\partial t}} + ({\bf u} \cdot \nabla) {\bf u} = - {1\over\rho} \nabla p + \gamma\nabla^2{\bf u} + {\gamma}{1\over3}\nabla (\nabla \cdot {\bf u})$$
To $$\frac{\partial P}{\partial X}=\mu \frac{\partial ^2U}{\partial Y^2}\tag{2}$$
or directly take the first term $${\partial{\bf u}\over{\partial t}}=0$$ as the flow is steady. and $$\rho{\bf u} \cdot \nabla {\bf u}={\bf u} \cdot \nabla (\rho{\bf u})=0 $$
still could not eliminate this term, $${1\over3}\nabla (\nabla \cdot {\bf u})$$
or you have considered the momentum balance equation like this $$ {\partial{\bf u}\over{\partial t}} + ({\bf u} \cdot \nabla) {\bf u} = - {1\over\rho} \nabla p + \gamma\nabla^2{\bf u} + {g_{x}} $$ as $$\rho g_{x}=0$$
Or firstly use Galilean transformation then reduce the equation.I am little confused which way to show this momentum balance equation.
 
  • #63
I think I've helped enough on this thread already. I'll leave it up to you to work out the rest of these details.
 
  • #64
I changed my mind because of your post on that other forum. So, here goes.

If we apply our coordinate transformation to the momentum equation, we obtain for the X component the following:
$$U\frac{\partial U}{\partial X}+V\frac{\partial U}{\partial Y}=-\frac{1}{\rho}\frac{\partial p}{\partial X}+\gamma\left[\frac{\partial^2U}{\partial X^2}+\frac{\partial^2U}{\partial Y^2}\right]+\frac{\gamma}{3}\left[\frac{\partial ^2U}{\partial X^2}+\frac{\partial^2V}{\partial X\partial Y}\right]$$
OK so far??
 

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