CONTINUITY EQUATION (Conservation of Mass)
The continuity equation is essentially the equation for the conservation of mass. It is derived by a
mass balance on the fluid entering and leaving a volume element taken in the flow field.
To understand the continuity equation let us consider the fluid flow through a pipe whose diameter
decreases along its length, as shown in the figure below: `
The fluids entering through area A1 with velocity V1 and leaving through area A2 with velocity V2.
The mass of fluid entering per unit time = mass of fluid leaving per unit time
That is M1 = M2
But mass = v
M=
Therefore ρ1v1/t1 = ρ2v2/t2
But flow rate Q = m3/t = m2 m/t
Q =A V
Therefore ρ1 A1V1 = ρ2A2V2
For incompressible flow ρ1 = ρ2
A1V1 = A2V2 i.e. AV is constant
Example
Water flows out of a pipe at the rate of 3.0cm3/s. find the velocity of the water at a point in the pipe
where its diameter is.
(a) 0.50cm and (b) 0.80cm
Solution
volume flow Q = 3.0cm3/s
(a) Diameter = 0.50cm
Therefore radius r = = 0.25cm
A= r = (0.25)2 = 0.196cm2.
2
1
The volume flow is given by
Q = A1v1
Substituting we have
3.0 = 0.196v1
Therefore
v1 = 15.3cm/s.
(b) Also Q = A2v2
Therefore
3.0 = r2v2
3.0 = (0.4)2v2
Hence,
v2 = 5.97cm/s.
Exercise
A fluid flows through the entrance of a horizontal pipe of diameter 0.60cm at a rate of 30cm/s, if the
discharge end has a velocity of 45cm/s.
i. Calculate is the velocity at the exit of the pipe?
ii. What is the discharge flow rate?
Bernoulli’s Equation (Conservation of Energy)
To derive the Bernoulli’s equation, let us consider the diagram below for a fluid flow through a pipe
entering through an area A1 with velocity V1 at a height h1 with pressure P1 and leaving through an
area A2 with velocity V2 at a height h2 with pressure P2.
The fluid possesses three (3) forms of energy:
Pressure energy, Kinetic energy and Potential energy.
The mass flow entering the system (m) = ρ A1L
Weight (w) = ρgA1 L
2
Pressure energy
Pressure energy = flow work done = P1A1L
Kinetic energy
K.E. entering during time dt = mv12
Therefore K.E = ρ A1LV12
Potential energy
P.E. during dt = mgh
P.E. = ALgh1
Total energy = pressure energy + kinetic energy + potential energy
Et = PAL + ρ1 ALV12 + ALgh1
Total energy per unit volume = + +
Therefore P1 + ρV12 + gh1 = P2 + ρV22 + gh2
or P + ρV2 + gh (Bernoulli’s Equation)
Thus , for an incompressible, non-viscous fluid moving with uniform or streamline motion, then,
at any point on a streamline,
The sum of the pressure, kinetic energy per unit volume and potential energy per unit volume
is always constant.
Example
Water is flowing smoothly through a closed pipe system. At one point the speed has a speed of
3m/s, while at another point 1m higher the speed is 4m/s.if the pressure is 20kPa at a lower
point, what is the pressure at the upper point?
Solution
P1 = 20kPa, v1 = 3m/s, v2= 4m/s, h1 – h2 = -1m, P2 = ?
Applying Boulli’s equation
P1 + ρV12 + gh1 = P2 + ρV22 + gh2
P2 = P1 + ρ(v12 – v22) + g(h1 – h2)
= 20 103 + (1000)(32 – 42) + (1000)(9.8)(-1)
=`20 103 – 3500 – 9800
P2 = 6700Pa or 6.7kPa
3
MOMENTUM EQUATION
The Momentum equation is a statement of Newton’s Second Law. It relates the sum of the forces to
the acceleration or the rate of change of momentum.
From solid mechanics you will recognize that:
F = ma
Consider a streamtube and assume steady non-uniform flow in the diagram below:
In time the volume of the fluid moves from the inlet for a distance u1 t, so,
Volume entering the stream tube = area distance
= A1u1
The mass entering,
Mass entering stream tube = density volume
= A 1u 1
And momentum
Momentum entering stream tube = mass velocity
= A 1u 1 u 1
Similarly, at the exit, we get the expression:
Momentum leaving stream tube = A2u2 u2
By Newton’s 2nd Law.
Force = rate of change of momentum
We know from continuity equation that
And if we have a fluid of constant density,
i.e. , then
This is called the momentum equation, and this force acts on the fluid in the direction of the flow of
the fluid.