Equations of Change for Isothermal System

Dr Amit Rai
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology Longowal
Till Now…..

• learnt about the velocity distribution in simple

situations of common interest.
• Applied a shell momentum balance and formed the
differential equation for shear stress.
• Applied the Newton’s law of viscosity to form a
differential equation for the velocity profile.
• Then integrated this equation, solved it with the help
of boundary conditions and derived the velocity
profile.
• Other quantities like average velocity, maximum
velocity, etc. can easily be derived.
• To derive all these equation’s, we used the mass and
force balance notation.
Need of Equation of Motions
It is not always possible to apply the mass balance to
complex problems encounter in chemical engineering.
The motions of fluid are non-linear and it is not always
easy to solve these problems by shell momentum
balances. Such problems can easily be solved by two
general equations:
Equation of Continuity (Mass Balance)
Equation of Motion (Momentum Balance)
These equations are used as the starting point for
studying any problem involving the isothermal flow of
a pure liquid. Further, these general equations are
simplified for constant density and viscosity and are
called Navier–Stokes equations.
Equation of Continuity

Let us consider a fluid element of volume ΔxΔyΔz through

which a fluid is flowing. Let ρ be the density of the fluid,
and vx, vy, vz be the velocity components in x-, y-, z-
direction, respectively.

The mass of fluid entering at x (from left face) and the mass
of fluid leaving at x + Δx (from right face). Similarly, the
fluid is entering and leaving at y and y + Δy and z and z +
Δz, respectively.

The mass balance must be written over the element Δx Δy Δz.

𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠

− =
𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑂𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
Equation of Continuity

(𝜌𝑣𝑦 )ቚ (𝜌𝑣𝑧 )ቚ
𝑦+∆𝑦 𝑧+∆𝑧

𝐵(𝑥 + ∆𝑥, 𝑦 + ∆𝑦, 𝑧 + ∆𝑧)

(𝜌𝑣𝑥 )ቚ (𝜌𝑣𝑥 )ቚ
𝑥 𝑥+∆𝑥

∆𝑧

∆𝑦 𝐴(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)
∆𝑥
(𝜌𝑣𝑦 )ቚ
𝑦
(𝜌𝑣𝑧 )ቚ
𝑧
 Equation of Continuity

Rate of “mass in” at the surface x is = (𝜌𝑣𝑥 )ቚ ∆𝑦. ∆𝑧

𝑥

Rate of “mass out” at the surface x+Δx is = (𝜌𝑣𝑥 )ቚ ∆𝑦. ∆𝑧

𝑥+∆𝑥

Rate of “mass in” at the surface y is = (𝜌𝑣𝑦 )ቚ ∆𝑥. ∆𝑧

𝑦

Rate of “mass out” at the surface y+Δy is = (𝜌𝑣𝑦 )ห𝑦+∆𝑦 ∆𝑥. ∆𝑧

Rate of “mass in” at the surface z is = (𝜌𝑣𝑧 )ቚ ∆𝑦. ∆𝑥

𝑧

Rate of “mass out” at the surface z+Δz is = (𝜌𝑣𝑧 )ቚ ∆𝑦. ∆𝑥

𝑧+∆𝑧

𝜕𝜌
Rate of mass increase or accumulation in ∆𝑥. ∆𝑦. ∆𝑧
𝜕𝑡
volume (∆𝑥. ∆𝑦. ∆𝑧) is =
After applying Material Balance

𝜕𝜌
∆𝑥. ∆𝑦. ∆𝑧 = (𝜌𝑣𝑥 )ȁ𝑥 − (𝜌𝑣𝑥 )ȁ𝑥+∆𝑥 ∆𝑦. ∆𝑧
𝜕𝑡
+ (𝜌𝑣𝑦 )ห − (𝜌𝑣𝑦 )ห ∆𝑥. ∆𝑧
𝑦 𝑦+∆𝑦
+ (𝜌𝑣𝑧 )ȁ𝑧 − (𝜌𝑣𝑧 )ȁ𝑧+∆𝑧 ∆𝑦. ∆𝑥

Dividing both sides of above equation by Δx.Δy.Δz

and taking the limit as Δx→0, Δy →0 and Δz → 0,
we obtain

𝜕𝜌 𝜕 𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝜕 𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝜕 𝜌𝑣𝑧

=− + +
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
After applying Material Balance
The rate of change in fluid density described by above equation is
known as the equation of continuity. In vector notation,

𝜕𝜌
= − ∇ . 𝜌𝑣
𝜕𝑡
𝜕 𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝜕 𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝜕 𝜌𝑣𝑧
We can expand the term , , and rearrange the equation
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝜌 𝜕 𝑣𝑥 𝜕 𝑣𝑦 𝜕 𝑣𝑧
+ 𝑣𝑥 + 𝑣𝑦 + 𝑣𝑧 = −𝜌 + +
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

In vector notation, 𝐷𝜌
= −𝜌 ∇. 𝑣
𝐷𝑡

𝐷𝜌
For incompressible fluid: =0 or ∇. 𝑣 =0
𝐷𝑡
Equation of Motion

Let us consider a fluid element of volume x y z through

which a fluid of density ρ is flowing. Let vx, vy, vz be the
velocity components in x-, y-, z- direction, respectively.
The mass of fluid entering at x (from left face) and the mass
of fluid leaving at x + Δx (from right face). Similarly, the
fluid is entering and leaving at y and y + Δy and z and z +
Δz, respectively.

The momentum balance must be written over the element Δx Δy

Δz.
𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒
𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 − 𝑀𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 + 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 = 𝑖𝑛 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚
𝑖𝑛 𝑂𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚 𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
Equation of Motion

(𝜌𝑣𝑦 )ቚ (𝜌𝑣𝑧 )ቚ
𝑦+∆𝑦 𝑧+∆𝑧

𝐵(𝑥 + ∆𝑥, 𝑦 + ∆𝑦, 𝑧 + ∆𝑧)

(𝜌𝑣𝑥 )ቚ (𝜌𝑣𝑥 )ቚ
𝑥 𝑥+∆𝑥

∆𝑧

∆𝑦 𝐴(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧)
∆𝑥
(𝜌𝑣𝑦 )ቚ
𝑦
(𝜌𝑣𝑧 )ቚ
𝑧
Equation of Motion

The momentum transfer occurs by two mechanisms, i.e.

convective and molecular. Also, the external forces acting on
the system are pressure and gravity.

Convective momentum = (ρv)v

Molecular momentum also called shear stress = τ

Before writing the individual convective and molecular terms,

it must be remembered that the y-direction momentum and
the z-direction momentum contribute to the x-direction
momentum as well. Let us consider the volume Δx Δy Δz of
fluid and write the momentum balance firstly in x-direction
and then replicate in y and z direction.
 Convective transport
Rate of x-component of convective momentum entering at x in the x-
direction = 𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝑣𝑥 ȁ𝑥 ∆𝑦∆𝑧
Rate of x-component of convective momentum leaving at x+Δx in the x-
direction = 𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝑣𝑥 ȁ𝑥+∆𝑥 ∆𝑦∆𝑧

Rate of x-component of convective momentum entering at y in the y-

direction = 𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝑣𝑥 ห ∆𝑥∆𝑧
𝑦
Rate of x-component of convective momentum leaving at y+Δy in the y-
direction = 𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝑣𝑥 ห ∆𝑥∆𝑧
𝑦+∆𝑦

Rate of x-component of convective momentum entering at z in the z-

direction = 𝜌𝑣𝑧 𝑣𝑥 ȁ𝑧 ∆𝑥∆𝑦
Rate of x-component of convective momentum leaving at z+Δx in the z-
direction = 𝜌𝑣𝑧 𝑣𝑥 ȁ𝑧+∆𝑧 ∆𝑥∆𝑦
 Molecular Transport
Rate of x-component of molecular momentum entering at x in the x-
direction = 𝜏𝑥𝑥 ȁ𝑥 ∆𝑦∆𝑧
Rate of x-component of molecular momentum leaving at x+Δx in the x-
direction = 𝜏𝑥𝑥 ȁ𝑥+∆𝑥 ∆𝑦∆𝑧

Rate of x-component of molecular momentum entering at y in the y-

direction = 𝜏𝑦𝑥 ห ∆𝑥∆𝑧
𝑦
Rate of x-component of molecular momentum leaving at y+Δy in the y-
direction = 𝜏𝑦𝑥 ห ∆𝑥∆𝑧
𝑦+∆𝑦

Rate of x-component of molecular momentum entering at z in the z-

direction = 𝜏𝑧𝑥 ȁ𝑧 ∆𝑥∆𝑦
Rate of x-component of molecular momentum leaving at z+Δx in the z-
direction = 𝜏𝑧𝑥 ȁ𝑧+∆𝑧 ∆𝑥∆𝑦
• The net convective x-momentum across the element Δx Δy Δz
𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝑣𝑥 ȁ𝑥 ∆𝑦∆𝑧 − 𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝑣𝑥 ȁ𝑥+∆𝑥 ∆𝑦∆𝑧 + 𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝑣𝑥 ห𝑦 ∆𝑥∆𝑧 − 𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝑣𝑥 ห𝑦+∆𝑦 ∆𝑥∆𝑧 +

𝜌𝑣𝑧 𝑣𝑥 ȁ𝑧 ∆𝑥∆𝑦 − 𝜌𝑣𝑧 𝑣𝑥 ȁ𝑧+∆𝑧 ∆𝑥∆𝑦

• The net molecular x-momentum across the element Δx Δy Δz

𝜏𝑥𝑥 ȁ𝑥 ∆𝑦∆𝑧 − 𝜏𝑥𝑥 ȁ𝑥+∆𝑥 ∆𝑦∆𝑧 + 𝜏𝑦𝑥 ห ∆𝑥∆𝑧 − 𝜏𝑦𝑥 ห ∆𝑥∆𝑧 +

𝑦 𝑦+∆𝑦

𝜏𝑧𝑥 ȁ𝑧 ∆𝑥∆𝑦 − 𝜏𝑧𝑥 ȁ𝑧+∆𝑧 ∆𝑥∆𝑦

• Net fluid pressure acting in the x-direction

𝑃ቚ ∆𝑦∆𝑧 − 𝑃ቚ ∆𝑦∆𝑧
𝑥 𝑥+∆𝑥

• Gravitational force acting in the x-direction =𝜌𝑔𝑥 ∆𝑥∆𝑦∆𝑧

𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑥
• Accumulation = ∆𝑥∆𝑦∆𝑧
𝜕𝑡
• Divide by ∆𝑥∆𝑦∆𝑧 and taking ∆𝑥 → 0, ∆𝑦 → 0, ∆𝑧 → 0

• The net convective x-momentum across the element Δx Δy Δz

𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝑣𝑥 ȁ𝑥 ∆𝑦∆𝑧 − 𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝑣𝑥 ȁ𝑥+∆𝑥 ∆𝑦∆𝑧 + 𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝑣𝑥 ห𝑦 ∆𝑥∆𝑧 − 𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝑣𝑥 ห𝑦+∆𝑦 ∆𝑥∆𝑧 +

𝜌𝑣𝑧 𝑣𝑥 ȁ𝑧 ∆𝑥∆𝑦 − 𝜌𝑣𝑧 𝑣𝑥 ȁ𝑧+∆𝑧 ∆𝑥∆𝑦

x-component
𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑧 𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝜏𝑥𝑥 𝜕𝜏𝑦𝑥 𝜕𝜏𝑧𝑥 𝜕𝑃
=− + + − + + − + 𝜌𝑔𝑥
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥

y-component
𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑧 𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝜕𝜏𝑦𝑦 𝜕𝜏𝑧𝑦 𝜕𝑃
=− + + − + + − + 𝜌𝑔𝑦
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦
z-component
𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑧 𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝑣𝑧 𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝑣𝑧 𝜕𝜌𝑣𝑧 𝑣𝑧 𝜕𝜏𝑥𝑧 𝜕𝜏𝑦𝑧 𝜕𝜏𝑧𝑧 𝜕𝑃
=− + + − + + − + 𝜌𝑔𝑧
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧

In vector form:
𝜕
𝜌𝑣 = − ∇. 𝜌𝑣𝑣 − ∇𝑝 − ∇. 𝜏 + 𝜌𝑔
𝜕𝑥

Simplifying these equations by using the equation of continuity

𝜕𝜌 𝜕 𝜌𝑣𝑥 𝜕 𝜌𝑣𝑦 𝜕 𝜌𝑣𝑧

=− + +
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
x-Component

𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝜏𝑥𝑥 𝜕𝜏𝑦𝑥 𝜕𝜏𝑧𝑥 𝜕𝑃

𝜌 + 𝑣𝑥 + 𝑣𝑦 + 𝑣𝑧 =− + + − + 𝜌𝑔𝑥
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥

y-Component

𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝜏𝑥𝑦 𝜕𝜏𝑦𝑦 𝜕𝜏𝑧𝑦 𝜕𝑃

𝜌 + 𝑣𝑥 + 𝑣𝑦 + 𝑣𝑧 =− + + − + 𝜌𝑔𝑦
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑦

z-Component

𝜕𝑣𝑧 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝜏𝑥𝑧 𝜕𝜏𝑦𝑧 𝜕𝜏𝑧𝑧 𝜕𝑃

𝜌 + 𝑣𝑥 𝑧 + 𝑣𝑦 𝑧 + 𝑣𝑧 𝑧 =− + + − + 𝜌𝑔𝑧
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧
 𝐷𝑣
In vector notation: 𝜌 = − ∇. 𝑡 − ∇𝑝 + 𝜌𝑔
𝐷𝑡

𝐷
= substational derivative
𝐷𝑡

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
Divergence = + +
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧
 Navier–Stokes Equations

The general equation of motion as discussed above can be simplified to a more useful equation
assuming constant values of density ρ and viscosity µ. In such a case ∇. 𝑣 =0
Applying the newton low of viscosity for Newtonian fluid
𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣
𝜏𝑥𝑥 = −𝜇 𝑥 ; 𝜏𝑦𝑥 = −𝜇 𝑥 ; 𝜏𝑧𝑥 = −𝜇 𝑥
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

x-Component

𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕2 𝑣𝑥 𝜕2 𝑣𝑥 𝜕2 𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑃
𝜌 + 𝑣𝑥 𝑥 + 𝑣𝑦 𝑥 + 𝑣𝑧 𝑥 =𝜇 + + − + 𝜌𝑔𝑥
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2 𝜕𝑥

y-Component

𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕2 𝑣𝑦 𝜕2 𝑣𝑦 𝜕2 𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑃

𝜌 + 𝑣𝑥 + 𝑣𝑦 + 𝑣𝑧 =𝜇 + + − + 𝜌𝑔𝑦
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2 𝜕𝑦

z-Component

𝜕𝑣𝑧 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕𝑣 𝜕2 𝑣𝑧 𝜕2 𝑣𝑧 𝜕2 𝑧 𝜕𝑃
𝜌 + 𝑣𝑥 𝑧 + 𝑣𝑦 𝑧 + 𝑣𝑧 𝑧 =𝜇 + + − + 𝜌𝑔𝑧
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2 𝜕𝑧
 Navier–Stokes Equations

In vector form:

𝐷𝑣
𝜌 = −∇𝑝 − 𝜌𝑔 − 𝜇∇2 𝑣
𝐷𝑡

2 𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕2
Where ∇ = 2+ + 2
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

These equation is called Navier-Stokes equation and has a large application for solving
chemical engineering problems.
 Example:1

A fluid enters a flow system as shown in Figure

in out
Process

Velocity v1 Velocity v2
Density ρ1 Density ρ2
Area=A1 Area=A2

Solution: Applying the mass balance over the flow system

Rate of mass entering – Rate of mass leaving = Rate of mass accumulation
At the steady-state conditions, the rate of mass accumulation is zero.
Rate of mass entering = ρ1v1A1
Rate of mass leaving = ρ2v2A2
Applying the mass balance, we obtain ρ1v1A1 = ρ2v2A2
𝜋
ρ1v1A1 𝑣1 𝜌1 4 𝐷11 𝑣1 𝜌1 𝐷11
v2 = => 𝑣2 = => 𝑣2 =
ρ2A2 𝜋
𝜌2 4 𝐷22 𝜌2 𝐷22
 Example:2
V2,D2
fluid enters a nozzle 1 of 40 cm diameter at a
velocity 3 m/s. Then the fluid splits into two
nozzles 2 and 3 connected in a Y shape. The
diameter of nozzle 2 is 30 cm and the flow V1,D1
rate is 2 m/s. The diameter of the nozzle 3 is
20 cm. Find the velocity in the nozzle 3.
V3,D3

Solution:
Let the fluid enter nozzle 1 at a velocity, v1 = 3 m/s
Diameter of nozzle 1 = 40 cm = 0.4 m
Fluid velocity in nozzle 2, v2 = 2 m/s
Diameter of nozzle 2 = 30 cm = 0.3 m
Let v3 be the velocity in nozzle 3 of diameter, D3 = 20 cm = 0.2 m
Applying the mass balance, we get
Rate of mass of fluid entering = Rate of mass of fluid leaving
𝑣1 𝜋4𝐷12 𝜌 = 𝑣2 𝜋4𝐷22 𝜌 + 𝑣3 𝜋4𝐷32 𝜌

3 × 0.42 = 2 × 0.32 + 𝑣3 × 0.22

𝑣3 =7.5 m/s