Differential Analysis of Fluid Flow

Part II
Potential Flows
 Irrotational Flow
Analysis of inviscid flow can be simplified by an assumption of irrotational flow. For
irrotational flow vorticity is zero:
ξ0

Condition of irrotationality imposes specific relationship among velocity gradients. Since

1  v u 
z      0
2  x y 
Then

v u

x y
w v

y z
u w

z x
Uniform Flow

v u

x y
w v

y z
u w

z x
 Examples
Flow fields involving real fluids often include both regions of negligible shearing stresses and regions of
significant shearing stresses

Uniform flow in x direction

Various regions of flow: (a) around bodies; (b) through channels
 Bernoulli Equation for Irrotational Flow

Start from
p 1
 
  V 2  gz  V    V 
 2
For irrotational flow

V  0

Thus, Bernoulli equation

p1 V12 p2 V22
  z1    z2
 2g  2g

Between any two points in the flow field.

Now, Bernoulli equation is restricted to inviscid, steady, incompressible, irrotational flow

 Velocity Potential
For irrotational flow velocity components can be expressed in term of scalar function (x,y,z,t)
 Velocity Potential
For irrotational flow velocity components can be expressed in term of scalar function (x,y,z,t)
  
u v w
x y z
where  is called the velocity potential (distinguish from stream function). In vector form

V  
 Velocity Potential
For irrotational flow velocity components can be expressed in term of scalar function (x,y,z,t)
  
u v w
x y z
where  is called the velocity potential (distinguish from stream function). In vector form

V  
For incompressible, irrotational flow
 2  2  2
  0
2
or   0
x 2 y 2 z 2
Inviscid, incompressible, irrotational flow fields are governed by Laplace’s equation and are
called potential flows
In cylindrical polar coordinates, velocity components
 1  
vr  v  vz 
r r  z
Laplace’s equation
1     1  2  2
r  2 + 2 0
r r  r  r  2
z
Example 6.4: The two-dimensional flow of a nonviscous, incompressible fluid in the
vicinity of the 90º corner is described by the stream function
  2r 2 sin 2
where  has units of m2/s when r is in meters. (a) Determine, if possible, the
corresponding velocity potential. (b) If the pressure at point (1) on the wall is 30 kPa,
what is the pressure at point (2)? Assume the fluid density is 103 kg/m3 and the x–y
plane is horizontal, that is, there is no difference in elevation between points (1) and
(2)
Example 6.4: The two-dimensional flow of a nonviscous, incompressible fluid in the
vicinity of the 90º corner is described by the stream function
  2r 2 sin 2
where  has units of m2/s when r is in meters. (a) Determine, if possible, the
corresponding velocity potential. (b) If the pressure at point (1) on the wall is 30 kPa,
what is the pressure at point (2)? Assume the fluid density is 103 kg/m3 and the x–y
plane is horizontal, that is, there is no difference in elevation between points (1) and
(2)
Solution: (a)
Velocity components
1 
vr   4r cos 2
r 

v    4r sin 2
r
Velocity potential

  2r 2 cos 2
Example 6.4: The two-dimensional flow of a nonviscous, incompressible fluid in the
vicinity of the 90º corner is described by the stream function
  2r 2 sin 2
where  has units of m2/s when r is in meters. (a) Determine, if possible, the
corresponding velocity potential. (b) If the pressure at point (1) on the wall is 30 kPa,
what is the pressure at point (2)? Assume the fluid density is 103 kg/m3 and the x–y
plane is horizontal, that is, there is no difference in elevation between points (1) and
(2)
Solution: (b)
Apply Bernoulli equation between (1) and (2)
Example 6.4: The two-dimensional flow of a nonviscous, incompressible fluid in the
vicinity of the 90º corner is described by the stream function
  2r 2 sin 2
where  has units of m2/s when r is in meters. (a) Determine, if possible, the
corresponding velocity potential. (b) If the pressure at point (1) on the wall is 30 kPa,
what is the pressure at point (2)? Assume the fluid density is 103 kg/m3 and the x–y
plane is horizontal, that is, there is no difference in elevation between points (1) and
(2)
Solution: (b)
Apply Bernoulli equation between (1) and (2)
 2
p2  p1 
2
 V1  V22 

V 2  vr2  v2  16r 2

V12  16 m 2 /s 2
V22  4 m 2 /s 2

p  36 kPa
Basic, Plane Potential Flows
 Basic, Plane Potential Flows

• Laplace’s equation is a linear partial differential equation

• For potential flow, basic solutions can be added to obtain more complicated
solutions

• Only plane flows will be considered

• For plane irrotational flow one can use either velocity potential or the stream
function – both must satisfy Laplace’s equation

• Flow net consists of a family of streamlines and equipotential lines

 Uniform Flow

Uniform flow: (a) in the x direction; (b) in arbitrary direction

Uniform flow can be described by either a stream function of a velocity potential.

 Uniform Flow

Uniform flow: (a) in the x direction; (b) in arbitrary direction

Uniform flow can be described by either a stream function of a velocity potential. For case (a)

  Ux   Uy
for case (b)
  U  x cos   y sin     U  y cos   x sin  
 Source and Sink
Consider fluid flowing radially outward from a line through the origin perpendicular to x-y plane
Let m be the volume flow rate of flow emanating from the line (per unit length).
 Source and Sink
Consider fluid flowing radially outward from a line through the origin perpendicular to x-y plane
Let m be the volume flow rate of flow emanating from the line (per unit length).
To satisfy conservation mass
m
vr 
2 r

Since the flow is a purely radial,

v  0

Velocity potential
m
 ln r
2

Stream function
m
 
2
 Source and Sink
Source – m is positive (flow is radyally outward)
Sink – m is negative, (flow is toward the origin)

m is called the strength of the source (sink)

A source or sink represent a purely radial flow

 Source and Sink
Source – m is positive (flow is radyally outward)
Sink – m is negative, (flow is toward the origin)

m is called the strength of the source (sink)

A source or sink represent a purely radial flow

At the origin r = 0 and vr   which is impossible

Thus, sources and sinks do not really exist in real flow fields, and the line representing the source
or sink is a mathematical singularity in the flow field.
However, some real flows can be approximated at points away from the origin by using sources
of sinks
Example 6.5 Nonviscous, incompressible fluid flows between wedge-shaped walls into a
small opening. Velocity potential (in ft2/s), which approximately describes this flow is
  2 ln r

Determine the volume rate of flow (per unit length) into the opening
Example 6.5 Nonviscous, incompressible fluid flows between wedge-shaped walls into a
small opening. Velocity potential (in ft2/s), which approximately describes this flow is
  2 ln r

Determine the volume rate of flow (per unit length) into the opening

Solution
Velocity components
 2 1 
vr   v  0
r r r 

Flowrate

 6  6 2 
q vr Rd      Rd    1.05 ft 3 /s
0 0
R 3

Note that the radius R is arbitrary since the flowrate crossing any curve between the two
walls must be the same.
The negative sign indicate that the flow is toward the opening
 Vortex
Consider a flow field in which the streamlines are concentric circles, that is interchange the
velocity potential and stream function for the source

  K and    K ln r

where K is a constant
 Vortex
Consider a flow field in which the streamlines are concentric circles, that is interchange the
velocity potential and stream function for the source

  K and    K ln r

where K is a constant

In this case streamlines are concentric circles with

1   K
vr  0 and v   
r  r r

Vortex represents a flow in which the streamlines are concentric circles

Tangential velocity varies inversely with the distance from the origin, with a singularity
occurring at r = 0

Vortex motion can be either rotational or irrotational

 Free Vortex

• Is vortex irrotational flow?

• Rotation refers to the orientation of fluid element and not the path followed by
the element
• Free vortex is a potential flow

Irrotational (free) vortex Rotational (forced) vortex

 Forced Vortex

• If fluid rotates as a rigid body, vortex flow is rotational (forced vortex)

• Forced vortex is not potential flow

Irrotational (free) vortex Rotational (forced) vortex

 Combined Vortex
Combined vortex is one with a forced vortex as a central core and a velocity distribution
corresponding to that of a free vortex outside the core.
For a combined vortex
v   r r  r0
K
v  r  r0
r
where K and  are constants and r0 corresponds to the radius of the central core

Irrotational (free) vortex Rotational (forced) vortex

 Circulation
Circulation , , is the line integral of the tangential component of the velocity taken around a
closed curve in the flow field
 Circulation
Circulation , , is the line integral of the tangential component of the velocity taken around a
closed curve in the flow field

   V d s
C

For irrotational flow

   d  0
C
 Circulation
If there are singularities enclosed within the curve
circulation may not be zero.
For free vortex:

2 K
  rd   2 K
0 r

Velocity potential and stream function for the free vortex

are commonly expressed in terms of the circulation as

 
  and   ln r
2 2
Example 6.6 A liquid drains from a large tank through a small opening. A vortex forms
whose velocity distribution away from the tank opining can be approximated as that of a
free vortex having a velocity potential

 
2
Determine an expression relating the surface shape to the strength of the vortex as specified
by the circulation 
Example 6.6 A liquid drains from a large tank through a small opening. A vortex forms
whose velocity distribution away from the tank opining can be approximated as that of a
free vortex having a velocity potential

 
2
Determine an expression relating the surface shape to the strength of the vortex as specified
by the circulation 
Solution
Apply Bernoulli equation between (1) and (2)

V12 V22
 zs 
2g 2g
Velocity
1  
v  
r  2 r

Expression for surface shape

2
zs   2 2
8 r g
 Doublet
Doublet is formed by a source and sink approach one another (a →0) (details)

K sin  K cos 
  
r r

K is a strength of the doublet

ma
K

 Doublet
Streamlines for a doublet are circles through the origin tangent to the x axis.
Summary of Basic Potential Flows
Superposition of Basic, Plane Potential
Flows
 Superposition of Basic, Plane Potential
Flows

• Potential flows are governed by Laplace’s equation, which is linear partial

differential equation.

• Various basic velocity potentials and stream functions can be combined to

form new potentials and stream functions.

• Any streamline in an inviscid flow field can be considered as a solid

boundary (no flow through the boundary or the streamline)

• If we combine some basic velocity potentials or stream functions to yield a

streamline that corresponds to a particular body shape, that combination
can be used to describe the flow around that body.

• This method is called the method of superposition

 Source in a Uniform Stream – Half-Body
Flow around a half-body is obtained by the addition of a source to a uniform flow
Stream function and velocity potential:
 Source in a Uniform Stream – Half-Body
Flow around a half-body is obtained by the addition of a source to a uniform flow
Stream function and velocity potential

m m
  Ur sin      Ur cos   ln r
2 2

Stagnation point will occur at

 Source in a Uniform Stream – Half-Body
Flow around a half-body is obtained by the addition of a source to a uniform flow
Stream function and velocity potential

m m
  Ur sin      Ur cos   ln r
2 2

m
Stagnation point will occur at x = -b (r = b ), where b
2 U
 Source in a Uniform Stream – Half-Body
Value of stream function at stagnation point (r = b and  = )

Equation of the streamline passing through stagnation point

 Source in a Uniform Stream – Half-Body
Value of stream function at stagnation point (r = b and  = )
m
   bU
2
Equation of the streamline passing through stagnation point

b    
 bU  Ur sin   bU or r
sin 
 Source in a Uniform Stream – Half-Body
Replace streamline passing through stagnation point with solid boundary and get
the flow around streamlined body placed in uniform stream.
The body is open at downstream end, and is called a half-body.
Singularity (source) occurs inside the body, and there are no singularity in the flow
field of interest (outside the body)
Width of the half-body asymptotically approaches 2 b (details)
 Source in a Uniform Stream – Half-Body
Velocity for half-body
 Source in a Uniform Stream – Half-Body
For half-body

1  m 
vr   U cos   and v    U sin 
r  2 r r

Square of magnitude of velocity, V, at any point

Um cos  m
V 2  vr2  v2  U 2  
r 2 r
and since b  m 2 U

 b b2 
V  U  1  2 cos   2 
2 2

 r r 

With velocity known, the pressure at any point can be determined from Bernoulli
equation
Example 6.7 The shape of a hill arising from a plain can be approximated with the top
section of a halfbody as is illustrated in Figure. The height of the hill approaches 200 ft as
shown. (a) When a 40 mi/hr wind blows toward the hill, what is the magnitude of the air
velocity at a point on the hill directly above the origin [point (2)]? (b) What is the elevation of
point (2) above the plain and what is the difference in pressure between point (1) on the plain
far from the hill and point (2)? Assume an air density of 0.00238 slugs/ft 3
Example 6.7 The shape of a hill arising from a plain can be approximated with the top
section of a halfbody as is illustrated in Figure. The height of the hill approaches 200 ft as
shown. (a) When a 40 mi/hr wind blows toward the hill, what is the magnitude of the air
velocity at a point on the hill directly above the origin [point (2)]? (b) What is the elevation of
point (2) above the plain and what is the difference in pressure between point (1) on the plain
far from the hill and point (2)? Assume an air density of 0.00238 slugs/ft 3

Solution
(a) Velocity:
 b b2 
V  U 1  2 cos   2 
2 2

 r r 
Example 6.7 The shape of a hill arising from a plain can be approximated with the top
section of a halfbody as is illustrated in Figure. The height of the hill approaches 200 ft as
shown. (a) When a 40 mi/hr wind blows toward the hill, what is the magnitude of the air
velocity at a point on the hill directly above the origin [point (2)]? (b) What is the elevation of
point (2) above the plain and what is the difference in pressure between point (1) on the plain
far from the hill and point (2)? Assume an air density of 0.00238 slugs/ft 3

Solution
(a) Velocity:
 b b2 
V  U 1  2 cos   2 
2 2

 r r 

At point (2),  = /2, and

b     b
r 
sin  2
Thus

 b2  2 4 
V  U 1 
2 2
  U  1  2 
and V2  47.4 mi/hr
2
   b 2 2    
 
Example 6.7 The shape of a hill arising from a plain can be approximated with the top
section of a halfbody as is illustrated in Figure. The height of the hill approaches 200 ft as
shown. (a) When a 40 mi/hr wind blows toward the hill, what is the magnitude of the air
velocity at a point on the hill directly above the origin [point (2)]? (b) What is the elevation of
point (2) above the plain and what is the difference in pressure between point (1) on the plain
far from the hill and point (2)? Assume an air density of 0.00238 slugs/ft 3

Solution
(b) Elevation of point (2)
Example 6.7 The shape of a hill arising from a plain can be approximated with the top
section of a halfbody as is illustrated in Figure. The height of the hill approaches 200 ft as
shown. (a) When a 40 mi/hr wind blows toward the hill, what is the magnitude of the air
velocity at a point on the hill directly above the origin [point (2)]? (b) What is the elevation of
point (2) above the plain and what is the difference in pressure between point (1) on the plain
far from the hill and point (2)? Assume an air density of 0.00238 slugs/ft 3

Solution
(b) Elevation of point (2)

 b 200 ft
y2    100 ft
2 2
From Bernoulli equation
 2
p1  p2 
2
 V1  V22     y2  y1 

p1  p2 
 0.00238 slugs/ft 3
 69.5 ft/s    58.7 ft/s  
2 2

2  
  0.00238 slugs/ft   32.2 ft/s   100 ft  0 ft 
3 2

 9.31 lb/ft 2  0.0647 psi

 Rankine Ovals
Rankine ovals are formed b combining a source and sink with a uniform flow.
m m
  Ur sin    1   2    Ur cos    ln r1  ln r2 
2 2
m  2ay 
alternatively   Uy  tan 1  2 2 
2  x  y a 
2

Flow around a Rankine oval: (a) superposition of source-sink pair and a uniform flow;
(b) replacement of streamline  = 0 with solid boundary to form Rankine oval
 Rankine Ovals
Streamline with  = 0 forms closed body which is called Rankine oval

Flow around a Rankine oval: (a) superposition of source-sink pair and a uniform flow;
(b) replacement of streamline  = 0 with solid boundary to form Rankine oval
 Rankine Ovals
Stagnation points occur at the upstream and downstream ends of the body
Location of stagnation points depend on a, m and U
1 1
 ma  2 l  m  2
l   a2  or   1
 U  a   Ua 

Flow around a Rankine oval: (a) superposition of source-sink pair and a uniform flow;
(b) replacement of streamline  = 0 with solid boundary to form Rankine oval
 Rankine Ovals
Body half-width, h, equals value of y where y axis intersect  = 0 streamline

h 1  h  
2
h2  a 2 2 Uh    Ua  h 
h tan or     1 tan  2   
2a m a 2  a     m  a

Flow around a Rankine oval: (a) superposition of source-sink pair and a uniform flow;
(b) replacement of streamline  = 0 with solid boundary to form Rankine oval
 Rankine Ovals
Parameter Ua/m determines body shape

Large value of Ua/m – flow around long slender body

Small value of Ua/m – flow around blunt body

Flow around a Rankine oval: (a) superposition of source-sink pair and a uniform flow;
(b) replacement of streamline  = 0 with solid boundary to form Rankine oval
 Flow Around of
Doublet combined with a uniform flow
Circular Cylinder
can be used to represent flow around a
circular cylinder.
Stream function, velocity potential and
velocity components: (details)
 Flow Around of
Doublet combined with a uniform flow
Circular Cylinder
can be used to represent flow around a
circular cylinder.
Stream function, velocity potential and
velocity components: (details)
 a2   a2 
  Ur  1  2  sin  ;   Ur 1  2  cos 
 r   r 
 a2   a2 
vr  U 1  2  cos  ; v  U 1  2  sin 
 r   r 
On the surface of the cylinder (r = a)
 Flow Around of
Doublet combined with a uniform flow
Circular Cylinder
can be used to represent flow around a
circular cylinder.
Stream function, velocity potential and
velocity components: (details)
 a2   a2 
  Ur  1  2  sin  ;   Ur 1  2  cos 
 r   r 
 a2   a2 
vr  U 1  2  cos  ; v  U 1  2  sin 
 r   r 
On the surface of the cylinder (r = a)

vr  0 v s  2U sin 

Maximum velocity, 2U, occurs at the top

and bottom of the cylinder and reduces
to U far away from cylinder as we move
along the ray  = /2
Pressure distribution on the cylinder
Pressure Distribution
surface is obtained from Bernoulli
equation
Pressure distribution on the cylinder
Pressure Distribution
surface is obtained from Bernoulli
equation
1
ps  p0  U 2  1  4sin 2  
2

Only on the upstream part of the cylinder

is there approximate agreement between
the potential flow and the experimental
results

Because to the viscous boundary layer

that develops on the cylinder, the main
flow separates from the surface of the
cylinder, leading to the large difference
between theoretical, frictionless fluid
solution ant the experimental results on
the downstream side of the cylinder
 d’Alembert Paradox
Resultant force (per unit length) developed on the cylinder can be determined by
integrating the pressure over the surface.

Drag (force parallel to direction of the uniform flow)

 d’Alembert Paradox
Resultant force (per unit length) developed on the cylinder can be determined by
integrating the pressure over the surface.

Drag (force parallel to direction of the uniform flow)

2
Fx    ps cos  ad
0

Lift (force perpendicular to direction of the uniform flow)

2
Fy    ps sin  ad
0

Substitution for ps and integration gives Fx = 0 and Fy = 0

Thus, drag and lift as predicted by potential theory for a fixed cylinder in a uniform flow
are zero

However, we know from experience that there is a significant drag developed on a

cylinder when it is placed in a moving fluid

This discrepancy is known as d’Alembert paradox

 Flow Around Rotating Cylinder
Flow around the rotating cylinder is obtained by adding free vortex to flow around a
cylinder. Stream function and velocity potential:

 a2    a2  
  Ur 1  2  sin   ln r   Ur 1  2  cos   
 r  2  r  2

Tangential velocity on the surface of the cylinder (r = a)


v s  2U sin  
2 a

Variety of streamline patterns can be developed, depending on the vortex strength

Location of stagnation point is obtained from expression


sin stag 
4 Ua
 Flow Around Rotating Cylinder


sin stag 
4 Ua

The location of stagnation points on a circular cylinder:

(a) without circulation; (b, c, d) with circulation.
 Magnus Effect
For cylinder with circulation:
1 2 2 sin  2 
surface pressure ps  p0  U  1  4sin  
2
 2 2 2
2   aU 4 a U 

drag Fx  0

lift Fy   U 

Thus, fro the cylinder with circulation lift is developed

If U is positive (in the positive x direction) and  is positive (free vortex with
counterclockwise rotation) lift is downward

Development of lift on rotating bodies is called the Magnus effect

End of lecture
Supplementary Slides
 Tell Apart

Stream Function Velocity Potential

Consequence of Consequence of
conservation of mass irrotationality

Restricted to two- Can be defined for three-

dimensional flow dimensional flow

back
For plane irrotational flow

   
u = v 
x y y x

In cylindrical coordinates

 1  1  
vr  = v  
r r  r  r
For irrotational flow
u v
=
y x

and in terms of stream function

       
    
y  y  x  x 
or
 2  2
+ =0
x 2 y 2 back
Flow net for a 90º bend

back
Lines of constant  are streamlines, that is

dy v

dx along  const u

Change in 

 
d  dx  dy  udx  vdy
x y

Along line of constant  we have d  0

so that

dy u

dx along  const v Flow net for a 90º bend

back
 Doublet (derivation)
Consider equal strength, source-sink pair. combined stream function for the pair is
m
   1   2 
2

 2  tan 1  tan  2

tan     tan  1   2   (a)
 m  1  tan 1 tan  2

r sin 
tan 1  (b)
r cos   a
r sin 
tan  2  (c)
r cos   a
 Doublet (derivation)
Put (b) and (c) into (a)
 2  2ar sin 
tan    2
 r a
2
 m

then
m  2ar sin  
  tan 1  2 2 
2  r a 

For small values of a

m 2ar sin  mar sin 

   
2 r 2  a 2 
 r 2  a2 
 Doublet (derivation)
Let source and sink approach one another (a0) while increasing the strength m (m )
so that the product ma/ remains constant. In this case r/(r2 – a2) 1/r and

K sin  K cos 
  
r r

where K is the strength of the doublet

ma
K


back
 b    
r
sin 
y  r sin   b     
at   0 y  b
at   2 y   b
width  2 b

back
Doublet combined with a uniform flow can
Flow Around of
be used to represent flow around a circular
cylinder
Circular Cylinder
K sin  K cos 
  Ur sin   ;   Ur cos  
r r

To represent flow around circular cylinder

stream function must be constant for r = a,
where a is the radius of the cylinder. From
 K
   U  2  r sin 
 r 

it follows that  = 0 for r = a if

K
U 2
0 or K  Ua 2
a

Thus stream function and velocity potential

for flow around circular cylinder are
 a2   a2 
  Ur 1  2  sin  ;   Ur 1  2  cos 
 r   r  back
 2
C
3