Compressible Flow

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Goals
• Describe how compressible flow differs from
incompressible flow
• Define criteria for situations in which compressible flow
can be treated as incompressible
• Provide example of situation in which compressibility
cannot be neglected
• Write basic equations for compressible flow
• Describe a shape in which a compressible fluid can be
accelerated to velocities above speed of sound
(supersonic flow)

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Basic Equations
Five changeable quantities are important in
compressible flow:

1. Cross-sectional area, S
2. Velocity, u
3. Pressure, p
4. Density, r
5. Temperature, T

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Basic Equations
Restrict focus to those systems in which properties
are only changing in flow direction.

Generally, cross-sectional area S is specified as a

function of x. (S=S(x))

Need four equations to describe the other four

variables.

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Basic Equations
1. Mass Balance relates r, u, S

2. Mechanical Energy Balance relates r, u, S, p

3. Equation of State relates T, p, r

4. Total Energy Balance relates Q, T

What is different about compressible flow?

r, u, p all change with position.

Need to use differential form of equations.

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Mass Balance
  r uS  constant
m
In differential form

d r uS   r udS  r Sdu  uSdr

Divide both sides by ruS

d  m  dS du d r
   0
m S u r

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Mechanical Energy Balance
    
2 p 2
u dp
Wˆ    gZ       h f
 2  p r 
1

Differentiate and assume Ŵ = 0

 u2  dp
 d    gdz   dh f  0
 2  r

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Viscous Dissipation
2
4f L u
hf 
D 2
For a short section of pipe: Assumes only
2 wall shear (no
4 f dL u fittings)
dh f 
D 2

 u2  dp f dL u 2
 d    gdz  4 0
 2  r D 2

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Equation of State
M PM
pV  zRT r 
V zRT
For simplicity it is assumed that z is either 1 (ideal) or a
constant
dp dV dT
Volume:   0
p V T
dp dr dT
Density:   0
p r T

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Total Energy Balance
For gases thermodynamics allows a better calculation of
the heat transfer Q and changes in internal energy. These
were terms that were previously included in the viscous
dissipation term.
The temperature of a flowing gas depends on:

• Rate of heat transfer Q from environment.

• Rate of viscous dissipation (significant in compressors).
Included in work term Ŵc
• Thermodynamic changes H.

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Total Energy Balance
 u2  Q ˆ
  gZ  H    Wc
 2  m
Q is the rate of heat addition along the entire length of the
channel and Ŵc is the total rate of energy input into the
system and includes efficiency to account for viscous
dissipation.
For Ŵc to be in the correct units use:

1 B T U  7 7 8 f t  lb f

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Compressible vs. Incompressible
When can simpler incompressible equations be used?
• Density change is not significant (<10%)
• Fans, airflow through packed beds

Mach number is a measure of the importance of density

changes for compressible fluids.
velocity fluid
N Ma 
velocity sound
Rule of Thumb: NMa < 0.3 assume incompressible

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Isentropic Flow

Adiabatic (Q = 0) and Reversible

Isentropic (ΔS = 0)

Venturi meter, Rocket propulsion

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Adiabatic Flow

Adiabatic (Q = 0), Frictional

Mathematically more difficult

Short Insulated Pipes

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Isothermal Flow

Isothermal, Frictional

Long Uninsulated Pipes

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Isothermal Flow
Constant Diameter Pipe

P1, r1 P2, r2

Goal is to analyze the friction section. Flow through

pipes is irreversible so viscous dissipation is important.

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Mass Balance
r uS 1  r uS 2
S is constant
r u 1  r u 2
G1  G2 Mass velocity constant

Differential Balance
1 dr 1 du
 0
r dx u dx

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Mechanical Energy Balance

 du   dz  1  dp   dh f  ˆ
 u   g          W
 dx   dx  r  dx   dx 
turbulent horizontal no compressor

 du  1  dp  4 f u
2
u      0
 dx  r  dx  D 2

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Total Energy Balance

 du dz dT  dQ ˆ
m  u  g  Cp   Wc
 dx dx dx  dx
turbulent horizontal isothermal no work

du 1 dQ
u 
dx m dx
Note: This indicates that there must be heat transfer
because dT = 0. This is the heat required to keep T
constant.

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Equation of State

1 dp 1 dr 1 dT
  0
p dx r dx T dx
isothermal

1 dp 1 dr
 0
p dx r dx

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Isothermal Flow
Combining Mass, MEB and EOS

p2 dp r1 p2 2f L
  2  p dp   dx  0
p1 p p1G p1 D 0

Assume friction factor f is constant and integrate:

2
r1  p2 
4f
L

 p1  p2
2 2
2

 ln  
D p1G  p1 

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Constant f ?
G  r u  constant
T  constant   constant

Dr u
Re   constant f  constant


CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Isothermal Flow
2
r1  p2 
4f
L

 p1  p2
2 2
 2
 ln  
D p1G  p1 

P1, r1 P2, r2

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Isothermal Flow
M
p1  p2
2
 2

G 2  zRT 2
L  p2 
4 f  ln  
D  p1 
For a fixed P1 this expression has a maximum at:
r1 p1
G 2

 p1 r1 
max
4f L
1  ln  2 
D  G max 

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014

 Maximum Flow

Gmax  r 2 p2

p2 zRT  u
umax  
r2 S ,T Ernst Mach (1838-1916)
M

Thus for a constant cross-section pipe the maximum obtainable velocity is Mach
one for any receiver pressure. This is said to be choked flow.

CBE 150A – Transport Spring Semester 2014