EQUATIONS OF FLUID KINETICS

(Without derivation)

The fundamental governing equations of fluid dynamics are the continuity, momentum and energy
based on conservation of mass, momentum and energy principles. When they are derived with
considering the model fixed in space are called conversation form and when the moving model is
considered the equation are called non conservation form. The conservation form is simple, uses
minimum number of variables, easy, convenient to compute and identified by the divergence of flux
on left side.

1. Continuity Equation
Assumption: Mass is conserved
Time rate of mass decrease + net mass flow = 0
𝜕𝜌 𝜕(𝜌𝑢)
In X direction: 𝜕𝑡
+ 𝜕𝑥
=0

In general with vector notation:

𝜌𝑡 + 𝛁  (𝜌𝑽) = 0

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
𝛁=𝐢 +𝐣 +𝐤
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

Continuity equations for a steady, three dimensional incompressible flow

𝜕(𝑢) 𝜕 (𝑣) 𝜕 (𝑤)
+ + =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
 2. Momement Equation: Navier Stokes
Assumption: Momentum is conserved
Total (Local + convective )inertia force = – Pressure force + Viscous force + Ext. force
In X direction:

Where 𝜆 is second coefficient of viscosity and as per Stoke’s hypothesis 𝜆 = −23𝜇.

For incompressible flow droping out the divergence terms the Eqn becomes
𝜕𝑢 𝜕𝑝 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
𝜌 =− + 𝜇 (𝜕𝑥 2 + 𝜕𝑦 2
+ 𝜕𝑧 2 )
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥
In general with vector notation:
(𝜌𝑽)𝑡 + 𝐕  ∇(𝜌𝑽) = −∇𝐩 + 𝛁  𝑻 + 𝜌𝒇𝑒
Where 𝑻 is based on Newtons law of viscosity
2
𝑻 = 𝜇 (∇𝐕) + 𝜇 (∇𝐕)𝑇 − 𝜇(𝛁  𝑽)𝑰
3

The Navier-Stokes equations for a three dimensional incompressible flow,

 3. Energy Equation
Assumption: Energy is conserved

Time rate of change Heat Pressure Viscous External

= - + +
in total energy Energy Energy Energy Energy

In X direction:
) 𝜕(𝑢𝜏𝑦𝑥) 𝜕(𝑢𝜏𝑧𝑥 )
𝐷
(𝜌 𝑒⁄3 + 𝜌𝑢2 ⁄2) = 𝜌𝑞̇ − 𝜕𝑞𝑥 − 𝜕(𝑢𝑝) + 𝜕(𝑢𝜏𝑥𝑥 + + + 𝑢𝑓𝑥
𝐷𝑡 3 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
𝐷( ) 𝜕( ) 𝜕(𝑢 ( )) 𝜕(𝑢 ( )) 𝜕(𝑢 ( ))
Where 𝐷𝑡
= 𝜕𝑡
+ 𝜕𝑥
+ 𝜕𝑦
+ 𝜕𝑧
; is total derivative which is the rate change of a
quantity of the moving fluid as it moves through the space. It is the sum of Local i.e. time dependent
derivative at a fixed point and Convective i.e. space dependent derivative due to change in position.
𝜕𝑢
𝜏𝑥𝑦 = 𝜇 [𝜕𝑣
𝜕𝑥
+ 𝜕𝑢
𝜕𝑦
]; 𝜏𝑥𝑥 = 𝜆 [𝜕𝑢
𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑣
+ 𝜕𝑦 + 𝜕𝑤
𝜕𝑧
] + 2𝜇
𝜕𝑥

In General with vector notation:

(𝜌𝐸 )𝑡 + ∇  (𝜌𝑬𝑽) = 𝜌𝑞̇ + ∇  (−𝒒) + ∇  (𝑽𝝈) + 𝒇𝑒  𝑽

For Newtonian fluid: 𝝈 = −𝑝𝑰 + 𝝉 ; 𝝉 = 𝜆(𝛁  𝑽)𝑰 + 2𝜇 𝑑𝑒𝑓 𝑽; 𝒒 = −𝑘 (∇T);

Where 𝑑𝑒𝑓𝑽 = [∇𝐕 + (∇𝐕)𝑇 ]⁄2 is deformation tensor and. 𝐸 = 𝑒 + 𝐕 2 ⁄2 is the sum of internal and
kinetic energy per unit mass. e is internal specific energy (i.e. energy/mass), σ is stress tensor, q is heat
flux vector and f is specific internal force, T is temperature, I is identity matrix. For incompressible flow
𝐷𝐸
𝛁  𝑽 = 𝟎. An other form of energy equation is = 𝜌𝑞̇ + ∇  (−𝒒) + 𝝓; where 𝝓 = 𝝉  ∇𝐕 and ϕ is
𝐷𝑡
dissipation function.

Summary of Governing Equations

We have five conservation equations (One continuity equation, three momentum equations and one
energy equation). When viscous effects (friction, thermal conductivity and mass diffusion) are
included in the momentum equation are called Navier- Stokes Equations and flow is viscous flow.
When these effects are ignored the equations leads a simplest form are called Euler Equations and
the flow is called in-viscid flow. These equations are discussed in detail in Computational Fluid
Dynamics (CFD) course and solved using finite difference numerical approach for complex problems.
 EXAMPLE: Calculating the Pressure Field in Cartesian Coordinates
Consider the steady, two-dimensional, incompressible velocity field V =(ax –b) i + (-ay +cx) j + 0 k,
Calculate the pressure as a function of x and y.
The velocity field in an incompressible flow is not affected by the absolute magnitude of pressure, but
only by pressure differences.