1

CL203, Autumn 2009

CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomena

Mid-semseter exam (14:00-16:00, Sunday, 13 September, 2009)
Total Marks:20
1. Newtonian fluid (, =constant) flows steadily through a channel (height 2h). In the middle of the
channel, an infinitely thin splitter plate is mounted. The channel walls move with a constant velocity
U in the positive x1 -direction. The two fluid streams separated by the plate are mixed at the end of
the plate. At station [2], far away from station [1], a new velocity profile u1 = u1 (x2 ) is developed
that does not change anymore with x1 . The body forces can be neglected.
(a) Using the equation of motion, on what spatial coordinates does the pressure gradient depend
at station [2]. Justify your answer.
(b) Calculate the volume flow rate (per unit depth) Q at station [1]. The pressure gradient is zero
here.
(c) Obtain the velocity profile u1 = u1 (x2 ) at station [2]. Note that the volume flow rate at station
[1] and [2] should be the same.
(d) What is the pressure gradient at [2] ?
There is no need to perform a shell balance. Proceed using the Continuity equation and the NavierStokes equation (see reverse) [10 marks].
2. A fluid, whose viscosity is to be measured, is placed in the gap of thickness B between the two disks
of radius R. One measures the torgue Tz required to turn the upper disk at an angular velocity .
Develop the formula for deducing the viscosity from these measurements. Assume creeping flow.
(a) Postulate that for small values of the velocity profiles have the form ur = 0, uz = 0, and
u = rf (z). Postulate further that P = P(z, r). Write down the resulting simplified equations
of continuity and motion.
(b) From the component of the equation of motion, obtain a differential equation for f (z). Solve
the equation for f (z) and evaluate the constants of integration to determine u (r, z).
(c) Determine the viscosity in terms of the measured torque, B, R and .
Proceed using the Continuity equation and the Navier-Stokes equation (see reverse)[10 marks].

U
x2

Splitter
plate

h
x1

z=B

!
B

z=0

[1]

[2]

(a) Figure for problem 1

2R

(b) Figure for problem 2

CL203, Autumn 2008

CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomena

Mid-semseter exam (14:30-16:30, Saturday, 6 September, 2008)
Total Marks:20
1. Two immiscible, incompressible liquids are flowing in the z-direction in a horizontal thin slit of length
L, and width W under the influence of a horizontal pressure gradient (po pL )/L. The fluid rates
are adjusted so that the slit is half filled with fluid 1 (more dense phase) and remaining with fluid 2.
The interface between the phases remains flat. The goal is to determine the momentum fluxes and
velocity distributions. Assume that flow is fully developed and has reached steady state. [8 marks]
(a) Choose a thin element of length L and width W and perform z-momentum balance in terms of
the combined momentum flux tensor () in any one of the phases.
(b) Use the given handout to replace components of and write the governing equation for both
phases in terms of the shear stress. Postulate that p = p(z), uz = uz (x), and ux = uy = 0.
(c) Substitute the Newtons law of viscosity and apply the relevant boundary conditions to determine the velocity profile in the two phases.
2. Liquid is present in the annular space between two vertical concentric cylinders of radius R1 and
R2 (R2 > R1 ) that are rotating in opposite directions with angular velocities of magnitude 1 and
2 . We would like place a thin circular hollow cylinder of negligible wall thickness and radius a
(R2 > a > R1 ) concentric and in between with the two cylinders. Determine the value of a when no
external torque would be required to hold this middle cylinder stationary. Use the handout for the
momentum balance equations [7 marks].
3. The drag on an airplane cruising at 400 km/h in standard air is to be determined from tests on a
1:10 scale model placed in a pressurized wind tunnel. To minimize compressibility effects, the air
speed in the wind tunnel is also to be 400 km/h. Determine the required air pressure in the tunnel
(assuming the same air temperature for model and prototype), and the drag on the prototype if the
measured force on the model is 4.5 N. Assume that the drag, D is a function of the density of air,
, viscosity of air, , speed of the airplane V and and characteristic length L. Further, while the
viscosity is assumed to be unaffected by changes in pressure, the air pressure and density are related
by ideal gas law.[5 marks]

Stationary wall
x

2
2b

R1

Stationary wall

(a) Figure for problem 1

!1

R2

(b) Figure for problem 2

!2

CL203, Autumn 2008

CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomena

Weekly Class Quiz - 2
Total Marks:10 Time alloted: 10 minutes Date: 14/08/2008
1. Write the boundary conditions at the air-liquid and liquid-solid interface for the following situation.
Air

y=h

Flowing Liquid

y
x

Stationary wall

2. Two immiscible liquids, and , flow in the x direction between two stationary walls. Liquid is
the lighter of the two. State which of following velocity profiles are possible (True/False) and why ?
Be brief and to the point in your response. No marks for guess work.
Stationary wall

Stationary wall

"

y
x

"

y
x

Stationary wall

(a) True|False

(b) True|False

Stationary wall

Stationary wall

"

y
x

Stationary wall

"

Stationary wall

(c) True|False

Stationary wall

(d) True|False

CL203, Autumn 2008

Roll No:
CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomena
Weekly Class Quiz - 4
Total Marks:10 Time alloted: 10 minutes Date: 28/08/2008
1. A solid sphere immersed in a stagnant fluid rotates about the z-axis. You are asked to postulate
that u = u (r) while other velocity components are zero. Gravity acts in the negative z direction.
Assume steady state.
(a) Using the given handout, write down the reduced set of r, and momentum balances.

!
z

(b) What spatial coordinates should the pressure be dependent on and why? No marks for guesses.

CL203, Autumn 2008

Roll No:
CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomena
Weekly Class Quiz - 5
Total Marks:10 Time alloted: 10 minutes Date: 4/09/2008
1. A thin rectangular plate having a width w and a height h is located so that it is normal to a moving
stream of fluid. Assume the drag, D, that the fluid exerts on the plate is a function of w and h,
the fluid viscosity and density, and , respectively, and the velocity V of the fluid approaching the
plate. Determine a suitable set of dimensionless groups to study this problem experimentally.

CL203, Autumn 2008

Roll No:
CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomena
Weekly Class Quiz - 6
Total Marks:10 Time alloted: 10 minutes Date: 25/10/2008
1. Two separate metal blocks of thickness d and 2d are kept at constant temperature T0 at the top and
a constant heat flux q0 is provided at the bottom. Draw the steady state temperature profile for each
of the blocks. The temperature at the bottom plate and the slope should be indicated.

2. At steady state the temperature profiles in a laminated system appear as shown in figure. Which
material has the higher thermal conductivity and Why ?

CL203, Autumn 2008

Roll No:
CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomena
Weekly Class Quiz - 7
Total Marks:20 Time alloted: 30 minutes Date: 08/10/2008
1. A viscous fluid with temperature independent physical properties is in fully developed laminar flow
between two flat surfaces placed a distance 2B apart. For z < 0 the fluid temperature is uniform at
T = T1 . For z > 0 heat is added at a constant, uniform flux qo at both walls. The velocity profile is
given by, uz = umax (1 (x/B)2 )

(a) Make a shell energy balance to obtain the differential equation for T (x, z). There is no need to
include the energy flux component in the y direction. At this stage the energy balance should
be in terms of the energy flux vector. [3 marks]
= Cp dT + (1/)dp. At
(b) Substitute the terms in energy balance equation while noting that dH
this stage, the your differential equation should contain derivatives of T, uz , and p. [ 6 marks]
(c) Next, discard the viscous dissipation and the axial heat conduction term. Further, make use of
the momentum balance in the z direction to obtain a reduced partial differential equation only
in T . [6 marks]
(d) List all the boundary conditions. [3 mark]
(e) For temperature variations in regions far from the entrance, write down the integral boundary
condition that will replace the boundary condition at z = 0. [2 mark]

Heating
element

Heating
element

Z
X

X=-B

X=B

Fully developed slit flow at z=0,

Inlet temperature is T1

CL203, Autumn 2008

Roll No:
CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomena
Weekly Class Quiz - 9
Total Marks:10 Time alloted: 10 minutes Date: 16/10/2008
1. Show that only one diffusivity is needed to describe the diffusional behavior of a binary mixture, i.e.,
DAB = DBA

CL203, Autumn 2008

Roll No:
CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomena
Weekly Class Quiz - 10
Total Marks:10 Time alloted: 10 minutes Date: 6/11/2008
1. Figure 1 shows schematically how oxygen and carbon monoxide combine at a catalytic surface (palladium) to
make carbon dioxide, according to
O2 + 2CO 2CO2
(1)
For this analysis, the reaction is assumed to occur instantaneously and irreversibly at the catalytic surface. All
variations occur over a thin gas film of thickness d. The temperature and pressure are assumed to be constant
throughout the gas film. Note that this is a three component mass transfer problem [7 marks].
(a) Using the above assumptions, write down the final steady state mass balance differential equation for
each of the fluxes. Your mass balance equation should be only in terms of the molar fluxes of each of the
components (i.e. there is no need to substitute the Maxwell-Stefan equation).
(b) How are each of the fluxes related ?
(c) What is the concentration of O2 and CO at the catalyst surface ?
O2 CO
Z=d
CO2
Z=0

Catalyst

2. A two bulb apparatus containing pure oxygen in the left bulb and nitrogen in the right bulb is shown in fig 2.
The stopcock is placed in the middle. The entire gas system is at constant temperature and pressure. At time
t=0, the stopcock is opened. Write down how the molar fluxes of the two components are related during this
process. Note that this is an unsteady binary component problem.[3 marks]

Stopcock

Oxygen

Nitrogen

CL203, Autumn 2008

Roll No:
CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomena
Weekly Class Quiz - 11
Total Marks:10 Time alloted: 10 minutes Date: 11/11/2008
1. A solid metallic block occupying space between y = 0 and y = d is kept at an initial temperature of To . At
t = 0, the surface at y = 0 is suddenly supplied with a constant heat flux, qo , and maintained at that flux for
t > 0. The top surface is kept at To throughout.
(a) Write down the governing equation for the unsteady state one dimensional heat conduction problem. This
should be a differential equation in terms of T .[1 marks]

(b) Write down the initial and boundary condition in terms of T . [2 marks]

(c) What is the thermal diffusion timescale, td ?[2 marks]

(d) We are interested in the temperature profile at short times, i.e., t << td . Write the governing differential
in terms of heat flux (q) by differentiating the original equation with y.[2 marks]

(e) What is the corresponding boundary condition ?[2 marks]

(f) Using an analogy with a similar problem solved in class, can you guess the form of the similarity variable
for this problem ?[1 mark]

CL203, Fall 2008

CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomenon

End-semester exam (Total 50 marks)
Date: 17/11/2008

INSTRUCTIONS: State all assumptions clearly.

1. A wire of constant density moves downward with uniform speed v into a liquid metal bath at
temperature T0 . It is desired to find the temperature profile T (z) in the metal wire. Assume
that T = T at z = , and that resistance to radial heat conduction is negligible. Assume
further that the wire temperature is T = T0 at z = 0. Solve the problem for constant physical
properties Cp and k. The equation of change for temperature is given in the vectorial form
as:
"
!
ln
Dp
DT

Cp
= q : v
Dt
lnT p Dt
[8 marks]

2. A cold liquid film flowing down a vertical wall, as shown in figure (a), has a considerable
cooling effect on the solid surface. Estimate the rate of heat transfer from the wall to the
fluid for such short contact times that the fluid temperature changes appreciably only in the
immediate vicinity of the wall. [18 marks]
(a) Determine the velocity distribution in the falling film at steady state. Note that velocity
variation is only in the y direction.

Dv
= p + 2 v + b
Dt

(b) Deduce the energy equation for this situation by neglecting the conduction in the z
direction and any viscous heating effects. Your partial differential equation will be with
respect to z and y.
(c) Write the temperature boundary condition valid for short contact times only. Note that
the z coordinate here is similar to the time coordinate in one dimensional time dependent
problem solved in the class. Further, the boundary condition at y = is replaced by
that at .

(d) Next, use dimensionless variables, () = (T T0 )/(T1 T0 ) and = y/ 3 9z, where

= k/2 Cp g, and rewrite the differential equation in terms of and only.
(e) Write the corresponding boundary conditions.
#

(f) Solve the above equation. Use the fact that ( 34 ) = 0 e d

(g) Determine the average heat flux over length, L of the plate and show that, qavg|y=0 =
heff (T1 T0 ).
3

3. Figure (b) shows a system in which a liquid, B, moves slowly upward through a slightly soluble
porous plug of A. Then A slowly disappears by first order reaction after it has dissolved. Find
the steady state concentration profile cA (z), where z is the coordinate upward from the plug.
Assume that the velocity profile is approximately flat across the tube. Assume further that
cA0 is the solubility of unreacted A in B. Neglect temperature effects associated with the heat
of reaction and all variations in x and y directions. You are given [8 marks],
!

"

cA
+ 'v .cA = DAB 2 cA + RA
t

Here, 'v = v0 ez , is a constant and assumed given.

(1)

CL203, Fall 2008

(a) Write down the reduced form of the governing equation for A.
(b) What are the boundary conditions ?
(c) Derive the expression of cA in terms of the known constants.
4. Suppose helium gas is contained in a pyrex tube of inner radius, R1 and outer radius, R2 .
Obtain an expression for the rate at which helium will leak out of the tube at steady state.
You are given the diffusivity of helium through pyrex, DHe , the concentration of helium at
R1 , c1 and that at R2 being c2 . Assume that x1 , x2 << 1 and therefore neglect the convection
terms. [8 marks]
(a) Use shell balance to obtain the differential equation governing the mass transport of
helium.
(b) Write the boundary conditions
(c) Solve to obtain the concentration distribution and the rate at which helium is lost over
a length L of the tube.
5. An open circular tank 8 m in diameter contains benzene at 22 o C exposed to the atmosphere in
such a manner that the liquid is covered with a stagnant air film estimated to be 5 mm thick.
The concentration of benzene beyond the stagnant film is negligible. The vapor pressure of
benzene at 22 o C is 100 mm Hg. If benzene is worth Rs 20/Kg, what is the value of the loss
of benzene from this tank in rupees per day ? The specific gravity of benzene is 0.88 and the
diffusivity of benzene in air is 0.096 cm2 /s [8 marks]

(a) Figure for problem 2

(b) Figure for problem 3

CL203, Fall 2007

CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomenon

End-semester Exam (Total 50 marks)
Date: 28/11/2007 Time: 2:30 PM
INSTRUCTIONS: No queries will be answered during the exam. In case of doubt, make appropriate assumptions.
1. The steady-state, one-dimensonal temperature distribution in a composite wall, made of slabs of three different
solid materials, is shown in figure 1. Each material has a constant, but different, thermal conductivity k. The
heat fluxes q within each material are also indicated in the figure. [10 marks]
(a) What is the relative magnitude of qB and qC ?
(b) What is the relative magnitude of qA and qB at position 2 ?
(c) What is the relative magnitude of kB and kC ?
(d) What is the relative magnitude of kA and kB ?
(e) Sketch a plot of q versus x labeling the positions 1,2,3, and 4 and showing qA , qB and qC .
(f) What is likely to be the left of position x ? What else might be there ?
(g) The region to the right of slab c is a fluid with heat transfer coefficient h and temperature far from position
4 of T . Write an expression relating surface temperature T4 , T , kc , and dT
dx in slab c.
(Source: From MIT website)
2. An open circular tank 8 m in diameter contains benzene at 22 o C exposed to the atmosphere in such a manner
that the liquid is covered with a stagnant air film estimated to be 5 mm thick. The concentration of benzene
beyond the stagnant film is negligible. The vapor pressure of benzene at 22 o C is 100 mm Hg. If benzene is
worth Rs 20/Kg, what is the value of the loss of benzene from this tank in rupees per day ? The specific gravity
of benzene is 0.88 and the diffusivity of benzene in air is 0.096 cm2 s1 [10 marks] (Source: From Cusslers book
on Diffusion)
3. Consider a layer of bacteria contained between two semipermeable membranes that allow the passage of a
chemical solute S, but do not allow the passage of bacteria. The movement of the bacteria B is described with
a flux equation roughly parallel to a diffusion equation,
jB = Do

dB
dS
+ B
dz
dz

where Do and are constant transport coefficients. In other words, the bacterial flux is affected by S, although
the bacteria neither produce or consume S. If the concentrations of S are maintanied at So and 0 at the upper
(z = h) and lower (z = 0) surfaces of the bacterial suspensions, determine S(z) and B(z). Since the bacteria are
!h
contained, we have h1 0 B(z)dz = N , where N is a constant. Neglect convective effects. [10 marks] (Source:
From Cusslers book on Diffusion)
4. A thin sheet of fused-silica (glass) of thickness h separates helium gas at temperature T1 from the outside air
which is at an higher temperature To and carries negligible helium. The mole fraction of helium on the inside
is xA1 . It is well known that helium diffuses through the silica where the coefficient of diffusivity, DAB is
known. In this situation both mass and energy transfer occur simultaneously across the sheet of silica. But
your friend tells you that you have to stop the heat transfer across the helium. Further, she recommends that
you change the inside temperature so as to match the outside temperature to achieve this objective. Do you
agree with her ? If not, can this objective be achieved by some other means. If so, determine that particular
value of T1 at which the energy transfer is completely eliminated. Assume the over-all thermal conductivity of

CL203, Fall 2007

silica-helium system, k to be a constant. Further, assume ideal gas behaviour and uniform pressure. Also, the
= Cp (T Tref ). [10
physical properties are assummed constant. The partial molar enthalpy is given as H
marks]. (Source: Self)
5. A liquid is in the annular space between two vertical cylinders of radii R and R, and the liquid is open to the
atmosphere at the top. Show that when the inner cylinder rotates with an angular velocity , and the outer
cylinder is held fixed, the free liquid surface has the shape
1
zR z =
2g

"

2 R
1 2

#2

( 2 + 4 ln 2 ))

in which zR is the height of the liquid at the outer-cylinder wall, and = r/R. The Navier Stokes equation in
the cylindrical coordinates is as follows:
"
#
ur
ur
u ur
ur
u2

+ ur
+
+ uz

t
r
r
z
r
"
#
u
u
u
u u
ur u

+ ur
+
+ uz
+
t
r
r
z
r
"
#
uz
uz
uz
u uz

+ ur
+
+ uz
t
r
r
z

$
"
#
%
p
1
ur
1 2 ur
2 ur
ur
2 u
+
r
+ 2
+

+ gr
r
r r
r
r 2
z 2
r2
r2
$
"
#
%
1 p
1
u
1 2 u
2 u
2 ur
u
=
+
r
+ 2
+
+

+ g
r
r r
r
r 2
z 2
r2
r2
$
"
#
%
p
1
uz
1 2 uz
2 uz
=
+
r
+ 2
+
+ gz
z
r r
r
r 2
z 2
=

while the continuity equation is given by,

1 & ' 1 u
uz
rur +
+
= 0.
r r
r
z

[10 marks](Source: From BSL)

2
A

qB

qC

qA

x=0

Figure 1: For Problem 1

CL203, Fall 2007

CL203: Introduction to Transport Phenomenon

Midsemester Exam (Total 20 marks)
Date: 13/9/2007 Time: 2:30 PM

INSTRUCTIONS: State all assumptions clearly.

1. A Newtonian liquid is ejected out into air of a cylindrical tube of circular cross-section of
radius R in the form of a laminar jet. A steady state flow is assumed. At section (1), the flow
is laminar and the velocity profile follows the Hagen-Poiseuille profile (derived in class), i.e.
uz (r)
=1
UCL

r
R

"2

(1)

where UCL is the centerline velocity. Upon exiting, the liquid jet contracts and the velocity
profile becomes flat some distance away from the exit (say, at (2)) with no further contraction,
uz = u for r R

(2)

The goal of this problem is to find the precise numerical value of R /R subject to the assumption of negligible gravity and surface tension effects. [5 marks]
2. Consider the steady axial flow of a Newtonian liquid in an annular region between two coaxial
cylinders of radii R and R as shown in figure 2. The fluid is moving upward in the annular
region, that is in the direction opposed to gravity. The goal of this problem is to determine
the velocity profile and the mass flow rate (liquid density is ).
(a) Perform a shell balance of zmomentum around a cylindrical element while postulating,
vz = vz (r), v = 0, vr = 0, and p = p(z). At this stage, the differential equation should
be in the form of stresses, pressure and body forces.
(b) Replace the pressure with the modified pressure that includes effects of both the pressure
and gravity. Integrate the equation to obtain the shear stress in terms of the modified
pressure gradient, radial coordinate and the constant of integration.
(c) Now substitute the Newtons law of viscosity, rz = (dvz /dr), and integrate once
more. Apply the requisite boundary conditions to obtain the velocity profile.
(d) Determine the mass flow rate. [7 marks]
3. A fluid flows in the positive x-direction through a long flat duct of length L, width W , and
thickness B, where L >> W >> B. The duct has porous walls at y = 0 and y = B, so that
a constant cross flow can be maintained, with vy = vo , a constant everywhere. Flows of this
type are important in connection with separation processes. The goal of this problem is to
determine the velocity profile, vx (y) ?
(a) State the postulate. Starting from the x-momentum equation (given with this paper) for
constant density and viscosity liquid, show clearly the terms that survive on applying
the postulate.
(b) Using the no-slip boundary condition at the walls for vx , show that the velocity profile
for the system is given by
(P0 PL )B 2 1
vx =
L
A
in which A = Bvo / [8 marks]

y
eAy/B 1

B
eA 1

(3)

CL203, Fall 2007

R*

(2)
(1)

Figure 1: For problem 1

kR
R

Flow direction

Flow direction

z
r

Figure 2: For problem 2

y
x

Figure 3: For problem 3