CHE4162 - SOLUTIONS TO CHAPTER 2: SINGLE PARTICLES IN FLUIDS

EXERCISE 2.1:
The settling chamber, shown schematically in Figure 2.E1.1, is used as a primary
separation device in the removal of dust particles of density 1500 kg/m3 from a gas of
density 0.7 kg/m3 and viscosity 1.90 x 10-5 Pas.

(a) Assuming Stokes Law applies, show that the efficiency of collection of
particles of size x is given by the expression:
x 2 g(ρp − ρ f )L
collection efficiency, ηx =
18μHU
where U is the uniform gas velocity through the parallel-sided section of the
chamber. State any other assumptions made.

(b) What is the upper limit of particle size for which this expression applies?

(c) When the volumetric flow rate of gas is 0.9 m3/s, and the dimensions of the
chamber are those shown in Figure 2.E1.1, determine the collection efficiency for
spherical particles of diameter 30μm.

SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 2.1:

(a) Assuming plug flow of the gas and particles then the residence time of the
L
particles in the parallel-sided section of the separator is:
U

There is a critical particle diameter xcrit such that a particle of diameter xcrit falls at a
L
velocity Ucrit covering the height H in time .
U
HU
i.e. U crit =
L

All particles falling at a velocity greater than or equal to Ucrit will be collected no
matter at which position in the cross section they start.

Assuming particles of all sizes are evenly distributed across the cross section at the
inlet to the parallel-sided section, then particle for which Ufall = 0.5Ucrit will be
collected with an efficiency of 50% (since 50% of these particles will have too far to
L
fall in the time available ( ).
U

SOLUTIONS TO CHAPTER 2 EXERCISES: SINGLE PARTICLES IN FLUIDS Page 2.1

 Ufall
It follows that efficiency, η =
Ucrit

Assuming that all particles reach their terminal free fall velocity in very short time
and can be assumed to fall at this velocity, then

UT
ηx = , where UT is the single particle terminal velocity.
Ucrit

Assuming Stokes Law applies, then U T =

x2 g ρp − ρf( )
18μ

ηx =
(
x2g ρ p − ρf L )
, where η is the efficiency of collection of particles of size x.
18μ HU

(b) The upper limit of particle size for which this expression applies.
The expression is limited to those particles for which Stokes Law applies,
i.e. for Rep < 0.3

U Tρ f x
At the limiting Reynolds number, = 0.3 (2.1.1)
μ

From Stokes Law, U T =

(
x2 g ρp − ρf ) (2.1.2)
18μ

Solving Equations 2.1.1 and 2.1.2 simultaneously, x = 57.4 μm (not 50 μm as give in

early versions of the book, which is calculated for Rep = 0.2)

(c) Collection efficiency for spherical particles of diameter 30μm when volumetric
flow rate of gas is 0.9 m3/s:
0.9 0.9
Superficial gas velocity in parallel-sided section, U = = = 0.15 m / s
WH 2 × 3

From the equation derived for efficiency derived above,

η30 =
(30 × 10 )
−6 2
× 9.81× (1500 − 0.7 ) 10
= 0.86
18 × 1.9 × 10 −5 3 × 0.15

Collection efficiency for 30μm particles is 86%.

SOLUTIONS TO CHAPTER 2 EXERCISES: SINGLE PARTICLES IN FLUIDS Page 2.2

EXERCISE 2.2:
A particle of equivalent sphere volume diameter 0.2 mm, density 2500 kg/m3 and
sphericity 0.6 falls freely under gravity in a fluid of density 1.0 kg/m3 and viscosity
2 x10-5 Pas. Estimate the terminal velocity reached by the particle. (Answer: 0.6 m/s)

SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 2.2:

In this case we know the particle size and are required to determine its terminal
velocity without knowing which regime is appropriate. The first step is, therefore, to
calculate the dimensionless group C D Re2p :
3
2 4 x ρ f (ρ p − ρf )g
C D Re p =
3 μ2
4 ⎡ (0.2 × 10 −3 ) 3 × 1.0 × (2500 − 1.0 ) × 9.81⎤
= ⎢ ⎥
3⎢
⎣ ( 2 × 10 )
−5 2 ⎥⎦

= 653.7

This is the relationship between drag coefficient CD and single particle Reynolds
number Rep for particles of size 0.2 mm and density 2500 kg/m3 falling in a fluid of
density 1.0 kg/m3 and viscosity 2 x 10-5 Pas. Since C D Re2p is a constant, this
relationship will give a straight line of slope -2 when plotted on the log-log
coordinates of the standard drag curve.

For plotting the relationship:

Rep CD

1 653.7
10 6.537

These values are plotted on the standard drag curves for particles of different
sphericity (Figure 1.3). The result is shown in Figure 2.2.1 (see page 2.8).

Where the plotted line intersects the standard drag curve for a sphericity of 0.6
(ψ = 0.6), Rep = 6.0.

The terminal velocity UT may be calculated from:

ρ x U
Re p = 6 = f v T
μ
Hence, terminal velocity, UT = 0.6 m/s

SOLUTIONS TO CHAPTER 2 EXERCISES: SINGLE PARTICLES IN FLUIDS Page 2.3

EXERCISE 2.3:
Spherical particles of density 2500 kg/m3 and in the size range 20 - 100 μm are fed
continuously into a stream of water (density, 1000 kg/m3 and viscosity, 0.001 Pas)
flowing upwards in a vertical, large diameter pipe. What maximum water velocity is
required to ensure that no particles of diameter greater than 60 μm are carried
upwards with the water?

SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 2.3:

Assume that the upward velocity of the water if effectively uniform across the cross
section of the large pipe and that the pipe walls have no effect [U ∞ U D = 1.0].
Assume that the particle accelerate so quickly to their terminal velocity so that the
relative velocity between the particles and the water is equal to the single particle
terminal velocity, UT. Thus, if the upward water velocity is less that UT for the
particle, the particle will fall and if the upward water velocity if greater than UT, the
particle will rise. In the limiting case: water velocity = UT

Assuming Stokes Law applies for the 60μm particles, U T =

(
x2 g ρp − ρf)
18μ

hence, UT =
(60 × 10 )
−6 2
× 9.81× (2500 − 1000 )
= 2.943 × 10 −3 m/s
18 × 0.001

ρx U 2.943 × 10 −3 × 1000 × 60 × 10 −6
Check Reynolds number, Re p = f v T = = 0.177
μ 0.001

Rep is less than 0.3, and so the assumption of Stokes Law is valid.
Hence, maximum water velocity = 2.94 mm/s

EXERCISE 2.6: (Cambridge University)

Assuming that a car is equivalent to a flat plate 1.5 m square, moving normal to the
air-stream, and with a drag coefficient, CD = 1.1, calculate the power required for
steady motion at 100 km/h on level ground. What is the Reynolds number? For air
assume a density of 1.2 kg/m3 and a viscosity of 1.71 x 10-5 Pas.

SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 2.6:

Relative velocity, U = 27.78 m/s (unit conversion from kh/hr to m/s)

R′
Drag coefficient, C D = 1 , where R ′ is the fluid drag force FD per unit projected
2
ρU
2 f
area and U is the relative velocity of the "particle" and the fluid of density ρf.

SOLUTIONS TO CHAPTER 2 EXERCISES: SINGLE PARTICLES IN FLUIDS Page 2.4

So: 1 F
R′ = CDρ f U 2 = D
2 A
Power required for steady motion = force x velocity
1 3
= R ′AU = CD ρ f AU
2
1
= 1.1 × × (1.5 × 1.5) × 1.2 × 27.783 = 31836 kW
2
= 31.8 kW.

Uρ f x 27.78 × 1.5 × 1.2

Reynolds number = = − 5
= 2.92 × 10 6
μ 1.71 × 10

EXERCISE 2.7: (Cambridge University)

A cricket ball is thrown with a Reynolds number such that the drag coefficient is 0.4
(Re ≈ 105).
(a) Find the percentage change in velocity of the ball after 100 m horizontal flight
in air.
(b) With a higher Reynolds number and a new ball, the drag coefficient falls to
0.1. What is now the percentage change in velocity over 100 m horizontal
flight?

(In both cases take the mass and diameter of the ball as 0.15 kg and 6.7 cm
respectively and the density of air as 1.2 kg/m3.) Readers unfamiliar with the game of
cricket may substitute a baseball.

SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 2.7:

(a) percentage change in velocity of the ball after 100 m horizontal flight in air:
The kinetic energy of the cricket ball is dissipated by working against the drag force,
F, which varies with relative velocity. Thus:
⎡1 ⎤
FD × ds = − d ⎢ mu 2 ⎥
⎣2 ⎦
d ⎛u ⎞2
FD = − m ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
ds ⎝ 2 ⎠
2 FD
and so, ds = − d (u 2 )
m
2 ⎛ πx ⎞
2
1
Now drag force, FD = C D ρ f u ⎜ ⎜ ⎟⎟ , where x is the diameter of the ball.
2 ⎝ 4 ⎠

SOLUTIONS TO CHAPTER 2 EXERCISES: SINGLE PARTICLES IN FLUIDS Page 2.5

 1 ⎛ π0.067 2 ⎞
If CD = 0.4, then: FD = 0.4 × × 1.2 × u 2 ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 8.461 × 10 − 4 u 2 Newton
2 ⎝ 4 ⎠
and with mass of ball, m = 0.15 kg,
d(u2 )
0.01128 ds = − 2
u
integrating: 0.01128 s = − ln(u2 ) + K

boundary conditions: when s = 0, u = u0; when s = 100, u = u100

hence: 0 = − ln(u 20 ) + K
2
and 1.128 = − ln(u100 )+K
⎛u ⎞
Eliminating K, 1.128 = −2 × ln⎜ 100 ⎟
⎝ u0 ⎠
u100
Therefore, = e −0.564 = 0.569
u0

⎛ u ⎞
And so the percentage change in velocity, ⎜ 1 − 100 ⎟ × 100 = 43.1%
⎝ u0 ⎠

(b) Percentage change in velocity over 100 m horizontal flight a new ball, with a drag
coefficient of 0.1:
u −0.141
With CD = 0.1, using the same procedure, 100 = e = 0.868
u0

Percentage change in velocity of the new ball = 13.2%

(The new cricket ball can therefore be delivered with greater pace to the batsman)

EXERCISE 2.8: (Cambridge University)

The resistance F of a sphere of diameter x, due to its motion with velocity u through a
fluid of density ρ and viscosity μ varies with Reynolds number (Re = ρux/μ) as given
below:

log10Re 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0

F
CD = 1.05 0.63 0.441 0.385 0.39
1 2 ⎛⎜ πx 2 ⎞⎟
ρu
2 ⎝ 4 ⎠

Find the mass of a sphere of 0.013 m diameter which falls with a steady velocity of
0.6 m/s in a large deep tank of water of density 1000 kg/m3 and viscosity 0.0015 Pas.

SOLUTIONS TO CHAPTER 2 EXERCISES: SINGLE PARTICLES IN FLUIDS Page 2.6

SOLUTION TO EXERCISE 2.8:
At steady terminal velocity the weight of the sphere is balanced by the sum of the
buoyancy force and the fluid drag force:

weight of sphere Mg = drag force + buoyancy force

1 ⎛ πx 2 ⎞ π 3
therefore, Mg = CD ρf u2 ⎜ ⎟ + x ρf g (2.8.1)
2 ⎝ 4 ⎠ 6

ρ xU 1000 × 0.013 × 0.6

Under the conditions, Reynolds number, Re = f = = 5200
μ 1.5 × 10 − 3
Log10 of Re=5200=3.71

From the data given, plot CD versus log10Re and interpolate to find
CD=0.385 at Re = 5200.

From Equation 2.8.1, mass of sphere, M = 0.00209 kg.

SOLUTIONS TO CHAPTER 2 EXERCISES: SINGLE PARTICLES IN FLUIDS Page 2.7

 Figure 2.2.1: Single Drag curves: Solution to Exercise 2.2

SOLUTIONS TO CHAPTER 2 EXERCISES: SINGLE PARTICLES IN FLUIDS Page 2.8