Lecture 6

Reynolds Transport
Theorem and Continuity
Equation

UPNEC Copyright © 2011

 Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lecture, the student should be able to:
– Describe and interpret the Reynolds Transport Theorem

– Derive the Continuity Equation for different types of flow

– Solve and analyze problems involving the Continuity

Equation

2
 Outline
I. Reynolds Transport Theorem
A. Introduction
B. Reynolds Transport Theorem

II. Continuity Equation

A. Law of Conservation of Mass
B. Steady Flow
C. Uniform Flow
D. Incompressible Flow

III. Examples
3
 Introduction
Discharge or Volumetric Flow Rate (Q)
- volume of fluid passing through a section per unit of time

𝑄 = ∫ 𝑉⦁𝑑𝐴→
𝐴
NOTE:
Velocity component
1. If the flow is uniform:
normal to the surface
velocity distribution
θ across the section is
differential area fluid velocity
vector, 𝐝𝑨 vector, 𝑽
constant, 𝑸 = 𝑽𝑨𝒄𝒐𝒔θ
2. In general, the
differential ̅ = 𝑸
mean velocity, 𝑽
area, dA 𝑨
4
 Introduction
Mass Flow Rate (𝒎˙ )
- mass of fluid passing through a section per unit of time

𝑚˙ = ρ𝑄 = ∫ ρ𝑉⦁𝑑𝐴→
𝐴
Extensive Property
- any property that depends on the amount of matter
present (i.e. mass, momentum, energy, weight)

Intensive Property
- any property that is independent of the amount of matter
present (i.e. density, pressure, temperature)
5
 Reynolds Transport Theorem
Relates the Eulerian approach to the
Lagrangian approach by converting the
system analysis to a control volume analysis.

“The rate of change of property, N, of a

system is equal to the rate of change of
property, N, in the control volume plus
the net flow of the property through the
control surface” Osborne Reynolds
Source: httpetc.usf.edulit2gostaticimages2940m.gif

𝒅𝑵 𝝏
= ∫ 𝜼𝝆 𝒅 ⩝ + ∫ 𝜼𝝆 𝑽⦁𝒅𝑨
𝒅𝒕 𝝏𝒕 𝑪𝑽 𝑪𝑺 6
 Reynolds Transport Theorem
𝒅𝑵 𝝏
= ∫ 𝜼𝝆 𝒅 ⩝ + ∫ 𝜼𝝆 𝑽⦁𝒅𝑨
𝒅𝒕 𝝏𝒕 𝑪𝑽 𝑪𝑺

Rate of change Rate of change of Net flow of property

of property of a = property in the + through the control
system control volume surface (FLUX)
where:
N = extensive property
η = intensive property = N per unit mass ( N / m)
ρ = density of the fluid
d⩝ = differential volume in the control volume (CV)
d𝑨 = differential area vector on the control surface (CS)
𝑽 = velocity of the fluid 7
 Continuity Equation
Consider a streamtube as control volume:
ρ2, V2
2

CONTROL
VOLUME
1
CONTROL NOTE:
ρ1, V1 SURFACE
1. Flow enters the tube
at surface 1 and exits
at surface 2
2. No flow across
streamtube walls
8
 Continuity Equation
Law of Conservation of Mass ρ2, V2
2
States that the mass, m, within a
system remains constant in time
C.V.
1
𝒅𝒎 ρ1, V1 C.S.
=𝟎
𝒅𝒕

Let N = mass, m then η = m/m = 1

Combining with Reynolds Transport Theorem,

𝒅𝒎 𝝏
= ∫ 𝝆 𝒅 ⩝ + ∫ 𝝆 𝑽⦁𝒅𝑨 = 𝟎
𝒅𝒕 𝝏𝒕 𝑪𝑽 𝑪𝑺
9
 Continuity Equation
ρ2, V2
2
𝝏
∫ 𝝆 𝒅 ⩝ + ∫ 𝝆 𝑽⦁𝒅𝑨 = 𝟎
𝝏𝒕 𝑪𝑽 𝑪𝑺 C.V.
1
ρ1, V1 C.S.
Steady Flow
the amount of property inside the control
volume does not change with respect to time
𝝏
∫ 𝝆𝒅⩝=𝟎 ∫ 𝝆 𝑽⦁𝒅𝑨 = 𝟎
𝝏𝒕 𝑪𝑽 𝑪𝑺
Evaluating on the surface where there is flow,

∫ 𝝆𝟏 𝑽𝟏⦁𝒅𝑨𝟏 + ∫ 𝝆𝟐 𝑽𝟐⦁𝒅𝑨𝟐 = 𝟎
𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐 10
 Continuity Equation
ρ2, V2
2
∫ 𝝆𝟏 𝑽𝟏⦁𝒅𝑨𝟏 + ∫ 𝝆𝟐 𝑽𝟐⦁𝒅𝑨𝟐 = 𝟎
𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐
C.V.
1
NOTE: 𝑑𝐴→1 is directed opposite 𝑉1and ρ1 , V 1 C.S.
𝑑𝐴→2is directed in the same direction as 𝑉2

− ∫ 𝝆𝟏 𝑽𝟏𝒅𝑨𝟏 + ∫ 𝝆𝟐𝑽𝟐𝒅𝑨𝟐 = 𝟎
𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐
NOTE: if ρ1 and ρ2 does not vary across the sections at 1 and
2, respectively,

−𝝆𝟏 ∫ 𝑽𝟏𝒅𝑨𝟏 + 𝝆𝟐 ∫ 𝑽𝟐𝒅𝑨𝟐 = 𝟎

𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐 11
 Continuity Equation
ρ2, V2
2
−𝝆𝟏 ∫ 𝑽𝟏𝒅𝑨𝟏 + 𝝆𝟐 ∫ 𝑽𝟐𝒅𝑨𝟐 = 𝟎
𝑨𝟏 𝑨𝟐 C.V.
1
Uniform Flow ρ1, V 1 C.S.

the velocity distribution at 1 and 2 does not

vary across the section (uniform, constant)
− 𝝆𝟏𝑽𝟏𝑨𝟏 + 𝝆𝟐 𝑽𝟐𝑨𝟐 = 𝟎
𝝆𝟏𝑸𝟏 = 𝝆𝟐 𝑸𝟐 𝒎˙ 𝟏 = 𝒎˙ 𝟐

Incompressible Flow
𝑸𝟏 = 𝑸𝟐
the density of the fluid is constant 12
UPNEC Copyright © 2011
 Continuity Equation
In general,
for any control volume that has several inlets and outlets
Steady? Uniform? Incompressible? Continuity Equation

YES YES YES ∑ 𝑸𝒊𝒏 = ∑ 𝑸𝒐𝒖𝒕

YES YES NO ∑ 𝒎˙ 𝒊𝒏 = ∑ 𝒎˙ 𝒐𝒖𝒕

𝒅𝑽
NO YES YES = ∑ 𝑸𝒊𝒏 − ∑ 𝑸𝒐𝒖𝒕
𝒅𝒕
𝒅𝒎
NO YES NO = ∑ 𝒎˙ 𝒊𝒏 − ∑ 𝒎˙ 𝒐𝒖𝒕
𝒅𝒕
𝒅𝑺
NO NO EITHER = − ∫ 𝝆 𝑽⦁𝒅𝑨
𝒅𝒕 𝑪𝑺 13
UPNEC Copyright © 2011
 Examples
Problem 1
Water flows in pipes A and B and converges into pipe C as
shown in the figure. If the flow rate at pipe C is 50 L/s and the
velocity at pipe A is 4 m/s, determine the velocity of water at
pipe B.

14
 Examples
Problem 2
The cylindrical water tank (d = 0.5 m) in the figure is being filled
through sections 1 and 3 at v1 = 5 m/s and Q3 = 0.012 m3/s,
respectively, and being drained at section 2 at an exit velocity,
v2 = 8 m/s. How fast is the water level in the tank falling/rising?

15
 Examples
Problem 3
Oxygen (ρ = 1.331 kg/m3) and methane (ρ = 0.668 kg/m3) are
mixed inside a tank. The velocity of the gases into the mixer is 5
m/s and the density of the gas leaving the mixer is 2.2 kg/m3.
Determine the exit velocity of the gas mixture.

16
 Examples
Problem 4
A 100-mm diameter plunger is being pushed at 60 mm/sec into
a tank filled with oil having sp. gr. of 0.82. If the fluid is
incompressible, how many N/s of oil is being forced out at a 30-
mm diameter hole?

17
 References
• Streeter, V.L., et al., Fluid Mechanics, 9th ed., McGraw-Hill
International, 1998

• Crowe, C.T., et al., Engineering Fluid Mechanics, 9th ed.,

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2009

• Alejandrino, A.A., Lecture Notes in Fluid Mechanics, National

Hydraulic Research Center, 1989

18