Advanced Fluid Mechanics

Compressible Flow

Lectures 3 & 4
Steady, quasi one-dimensional, isothermal,
compressible flow of an ideal gas in a
constant area duct with wall friction
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
 Outcomes
• Design equations for steady, quasi one-
dimensional, iso-thermal, compressible
flow of an ideal gas in a constant area duct
with wall friction

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12 Feb 2024
 Compressibility effects: Isentropic flow This is
the situation that applies when there is no heat
transfer or friction during the flow (reasonable for
many gases). This gas law is p = ρ kD where k
depends on specific heat capacities. Introduce the
Mach number, Ma = u/a (ratio of the flow speed
to the speed of sound). Consideration of the
pressure ratio between free stream and stagnation
points leads to

A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
 p2  p1  Ma12
 incompressible
p1 2

 
p2  p1    1   1
 compressible
 1    1
p1  Ma12  
 

A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
 Incompressible flow assumption is not valid if Mach
number > 0.3

What is a Mach number?

Definition of Mach number (M):
Speed of the flow (u)
M≡ Speed of sound (a) in the fluid
at the flow temperature

For an ideal gas, a   RT

specific heat ratio
specific gas constant (in J/kg.K)
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absolute
12 Feb 2024
temperature of the flow at the point concerned (in K)
For an ideal gas,

u u
M= =
a RT

Unit of u = m/s

Unit of a = [(J/kg.K)(K)]0.5
= [J/kg]0.5 = (N.m/kg)0.5 = [kg.(m/s2).m/kg]0.5
= [m2/s2]0.5 = m/s
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
constant area duct Diameter (D) A  D 2 / 4 is a constant

quasi one-dimensional flow speed (u) u varies only in x-direction

x
compressible flow Density (ρ) is NOT a constant

steady flow   Au is a constant

Mass flow rate m

isothermal flow Temperature (T) is a constant

ideal gas Obeys the Ideal Gas equation

wall friction  w  fu 2 / 2 is the shear stress acting on the wall

A. Loya
12 Feb 2024 where f is the average Fanning friction factor
Friction factor:

For laminar flow in circular pipes: f  16 / Re

where Re is the Reynolds number of the flow defined as follows:

uD m D 4m D 4m
Re    
 A  D  2
D 

For laminar flow in a square channel: f  14.227 / Re

1  3 .7 D 
For the turbulent flow regime:  4.0 log10  
f   
Quasi one-dimensional flow is closer to turbulent
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velocity profile than to laminar velocity profile.
12 Feb 2024
Ideal Gas equation of state:

pV  mRT
pressure temperature

volume specific gas constant

(not universal gas constant)

mass

Ideal Gas equation of state can be rearranged to give

m
p  RT p  RT
V K
Pa = N/m2 kg/m3 J/(kg.K)
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
Problem 1 from Problem Set 1 in Compressible Fluid Flow:
Starting from the mass and momentum balances, show that the
differential equation describing the quasi one-dimensional,
compressible, isothermal, steady flow of an ideal gas through a
constant area pipe of diameter D and average Fanning friction
factor f shall be written as follows:
4f 2 2
dx  2 dp  du  0 (1.1)
D u u
where p, ρ and u are the respective pressure, density and velocity
at distance x from the entrance of the pipe.
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12 Feb 2024
 w
p p+dp
D
u u+du
x dx

Write the momentum balance over the differential volume chosen.

pA  m u  ( p  dp ) A  m (u  du )   w dAw (1)

steady mass flow rate

cross-sectional area shear stress acting on the wall

dAw  Ddx is the wetted area on which shear is acting

A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
 w
p p+dp
D
u u+du
x dx
Equation (1) can be reduced to Adp  m du   w dAw  0
  A u
Substituting m A( dp  udu)   w dAw  0
Since A  D 2 / 4 ,  w  fu 2 / 2 and dAw  Ddx , we get
u 4 f
2
dp  udu  dx  0
2 D

4f 2 2
dx  2 dp  du  0 (1.1)
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024 D u u
Problem 2 from Problem Set 1 in Compressible Fluid Flow:
Show that the differential equation of Problem (1) can be converted
into
4f 2 2
dx   pdp  dp (1.2)
D RT ( m / A) 2
p

which in turn can be integrated to yield the following design

equation:
4f L p2
 2
pL  2
 pL 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.3)
D RT ( m / A) 2  p  p 
where p is the pressure at the entrance of the pipe, pL is the pressure at
m of the pipe, R is the gas constant, T is the
length L from the entrance
temperature of the gas, is the mass flow rate of the gas flowing
through
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the pipe, and A is the cross-sectional area of the pipe.
12 Feb 2024
The differential equation of problem (1) is
4f 2 2
dx  2 dp  du  0 (1.1)
D u u
in which the variables ρ and u must be replaced by the variable p.

  Au and the ideal gas

Let us use the mass flow rate equation m
equation p  RT to obtain the following:
p m m RT m RT
 and u   and therefore pu 
RT A Ap A

It is a constant for steady, isothermal flow in a

constant area duct

du dp
A. Loya d ( pu )  pdu  udp  0 
12 Feb 2024 u p
 p , m m RT du dp
Using   u  and 
RT A Ap u p

4f 2 2
in dx  2 dp  du  0 (1.1)
D u u

we get

4f 2 2
dx   pdp  dp (1.2)
D RT ( m / A) 2
p
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
 p pL

L
Integrating (1.2) from 0 to L, we get
L pL pL
4f 2 2
D 0 dx   RT (m / A) 2  pdp  
p p
p
dp

which becomes

4f L p2  p L2   p L2 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.3)
D RT ( m / A) 2  p  p 

A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
Problem 3 from Problem Set 1 in Compressible Fluid Flow:
Show that the design equation of Problem (2) is equivalent to
4f L 1  M2  M2 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.4)
D  M2  ML   ML 
where M is the Mach number at the entry and ML is the Mach number
at length L from the entry.

A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
Design equation of Problem (2) is

4f L p2  p L2   p L2 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.3)
D RT ( m / A) 2  p  p 
which should be shown to be equivalent to
4f L 1  M2  M2 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.4)
D  M2  ML   ML 

where p and M are the pressure and Mach number at the entry and pL
and ML are the pressure and Mach number at length L from the entry.
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024 We need to relate p to M!
 We need to relate p to M!
m m RT 1 m RT 1 m RT
p  RT  RT   
Au A u A M RT AM 

which gives

m RT
pM  = constant for steady, isothermal flow in a
A 
constant area duct

Substituting the above in (1.3), we get

4f L 1  M2  M2 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.4)
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
D  M 2
 ML   ML 
 Summary
Design equations for steady, quasi one-dimensional, isothermal,compressible
flow of an ideal gas in a constant area duct with wall friction
4f 2 2
dx  2 dp  du  0 (1.1)
D u u
4f 2 2
dx   pdp  dp (1.2)
D RT ( m / A) 2
p

4f L p2  p L2   p L2 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.3)
D RT ( m / A) 2  p  p 

4f L 1  M2  M2 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.4)
A. Loya D  M2  ML   ML 
12 Feb 2024
Problem 4 from Problem Set 1 in Compressible Fluid Flow:
Nitrogen (γ = 1.4; molecular mass = 28) is to be fed through a 15
mm-id commercial steel pipe 11.5 m long to a synthetic ammonia
plant. Calculate the downstream pressure in the line for a flow rate of
1.5 mol/s, an upstream pressure of 600 kPa, and a temperature of
27oC throughout. The average Fanning friction factor may be taken as
0.0066.

γ = 1.4; molecular mass = 28; m = 1.5 mol/s; f = 0.0066

p = 600 D = 15 mm T = 300 K pL = ?
kPa
L = 11.5 m
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
 γ = 1.4; molecular mass = 28; m = 1.5 mol/s; f = 0.0066

p = 600 D = 15 mm T = 300 K pL = ?
kPa
L = 11.5 m
Design equation:
4f L p2  p L2   p L2 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.3)
D RT ( m / A) 2  p  p 

f = 0.0066;
4f L
L = 11.5 m; = 20.240
D
D = 15 mm = 0.015 m; unit?
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
 γ = 1.4; molecular mass = 28; m = 1.5 mol/s; f = 0.0066

p = 600 D = 15 mm T = 300 K pL = ?
kPa
L = 11.5 m
Design equation:
4f L p2  p L2   p L2 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.3)
D RT ( m / A) 2  p  p 
p = 600 kPa = 600,000 Pa; T = 300 K;

R = 8.314 kJ/kmol.K = 8.314/28 kJ/kg.K = 8314/28 J/kg.K;

m = 1.5 mol/s = 1.5 x 28 g/s = 1.5 x 28/1000 kg/s;
A = πD2/4 = π(15 mm)2/4 = π(0.015 m)2/4;
p2
= 71.544
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024 RT ( m / A) 2
unit?
 γ = 1.4; molecular mass = 28; m = 1.5 mol/s; f = 0.0066

p = 600 D = 15 mm T = 300 K pL = ?
kPa
L = 11.5 m
Design equation:
4f L p2  p L2   p L2 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.3)
D RT ( m / A) 2  p  p 

 p L2   p L2 
20.240 = 71.544 1  2   ln 2 
 p  p 
p = 600 kPa = 600,000 Pa

pL = ? Solve the nonlinear equation

A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
above to determine pL
  p L2   p L2 
20.240 = 71.544 1  2   ln 2 
 p  p 
p = 600 kPa = 600,000 Pa

Determine the approximate solution by ignoring the ln-term:

pL = p (1-20.240/71.544)0.5 = 508.1 kPa

Check the value of the ln-term using pL = 508.1 kPa:

ln[(pL /p)2] = ln[(508.1 /600)2] = -0.3325

This value is small when compared to

20.240. And therefore pL = 508.1 kPa
is a good first approximation.
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
Now, solve the nonlinear equation for pL values close to 508.1 kPa:
 p L2   p L2 
20.240 = 71.544 1  2   ln 2 
 p  p 
p = 600 kPa = 600,000 Pa

pL kPa LHS of the above RHS of the above

equation equation
510 20.240 19.528
509 20.240 19.727
508.1 20.240 19.905
507 20.240 20.123
506.5 20.240 20.222
A. Loya 506 20.240 20.320
12 Feb 2024
Problem 4 continued:
Rework the problem in terms of Mach number and determine ML.

γ = 1.4; molecular mass = 28; m = 1.5 mol/s; f = 0.0066

p = 600 D = 15 mm T = 300 K ML = ?
kPa
L = 11.5 m

Design equation:
4f L 1  M2  M2 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.4)
D  M2  ML   ML 
4f L
= 20.240 (already calculated in Problem 4)
D
M=?
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
 γ = 1.4; molecular mass = 28; m = 1.5 mol/s; f = 0.0066

p = 600 D = 15 mm T = 300 K ML = ?
kPa
L = 11.5 m

u
M= c = u m
= A 1 = m RT 1  m RT
RT RT A p RT Ap 

4m RT
M
D 2 p 
0.5
=
4 (1.5x 28/1000 kg/s)
π (15/1000 m)2 (600,000 Pa)
( (8314/28)(300) J/kg
1.4 )
= 0.1
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
 γ = 1.4; molecular mass = 28; m = 1.5 mol/s; f = 0.0066

p = 600 D = 15 mm T = 300 K ML = ?
kPa
L = 11.5 m
Design equation:
4f L 1  M2  M2 
 1  2   ln 2  (1.4)
D  M2  ML   ML 

1  (0.1) 2   (0.1) 2 
20.240  1  2 
  ln 2 

(1.4)(0.1) 2  ML   ML 

ML = ? Solve the nonlinear equation

A. Loya
above to determine ML
12 Feb 2024
 1  (0.1) 2   (0.1) 2 
20.240  1  2 
  ln 2 

(1.4)(0.1) 2  ML   ML 

Determine the approximate solution by ignoring the ln-term:

ML = 0.1 / (1-20.240 x 1.4 x 0.12)0.5 = 0.118

Check the value of the ln-term using ML = 0.118:

ln[(0.1/ML)2] = ln[(0.1 /0.118)2] = -0.3310

This value is small when compared to

20.240. And therefore ML = 0.118 is a
good first approximation.
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
Now, solve the nonlinear equation for ML values close to 0.118:

1  (0.1) 2   (0.1) 2 
20.240  1  2 
  ln 2 

(1.4)(0.1) 2  ML   ML 

pL kPa LHS of the above RHS of the above

equation equation
0.116 20.240 18.049
0.117 20.240
0.118 20.240 19.798
0.1185 20.240 20.222
0.119 20.240 20.64
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
Problem 5 from Problem Set 1 in Compressible Fluid Flow:
Explain why the design equations of Problems (1), (2) and (3)
are valid only for fully turbulent flow and not for laminar flow.

A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
Problem 6 from Problem Set 1 in Compressible Fluid Flow:
Starting from the differential equation of Problem (2), or otherwise,
prove that p, the pressure, in a quasi one-dimensional, compressible,
isothermal, steady flow of an ideal gas in a pipe with wall friction
should always satisfies the following condition:

p  ( m / A) RT (1.5)
in flows where p decreases along the flow direction, and

p  ( m / A) RT (1.6)

in flows where p increases along the flow direction.

A. Loya
12 Feb 2024
Differential equation of Problem 2:
4f 2 2
dx   pdp  dp (1.2)
D RT ( m / A) 2
p
can be rearranged to give
dp 4f /D ( 2 f / D ) pRT ( m / A) 2
 
dx  2 2 RT (  / A) 2  p 2
m
p
RT ( m / A) 2
p
In flows where p decreases along the flow direction
dp
0 RT ( m / A) 2  p 2  0
dx

A. Loya p  ( m / A) RT (1.5)
12 Feb 2024
Differential equation of Problem 2:
4f 2 2
dx   pdp  dp (1.2)
D RT ( m / A) 2
p
can be rearranged to give
dp 4f /D ( 2 f / D ) pRT ( m / A) 2
 
dx  2 2 RT (  / A) 2  p 2
m
p
RT ( m / A) 2
p
In flows where p increases along the flow direction
dp
0 RT ( m / A) 2  p 2  0
dx

A. Loya p  ( m / A) RT (1.6)
12 Feb 2024
 Air: γ = 1.4; molecular mass = 29;

When does the pressure acts as limiting pressure? p*=?

L

dp
0 p  ( m / A) RT
dx

dp
0 p  ( m / A) RT
dx

Limiting pressure: p*  ( m / A) RT
A. Loya
12 Feb 2024