Creeping Flow

Problem 1

Figure 1. Cone-and-plate viscometer.

A standard device for measuring viscosities is the cone-and-plate viscometer, as shown in Fig. 1.
A pool of liquid is placed on a flat surface, which is brought into contact with an inverted cone.
Torque measurements are made with the top piece, of radius R, rotated at an angular velocity ω
and the bottom piece stationary. The angle β between the surfaces is small. Spherical coordinates
(r, θ, φ) are used in the analysis, such that the rotation is in the + φ direction.
(a) Show that a velocity field of the form uφ= uφ (r, θ) and ur=uθ =0 is consistent with
conservation of mass.
(b) Given the scenario in (a) and further if Stokes’ equation is applicable, show that uφ = rf(θ) is
consistent with conservation of momentum and the boundary conditions at the solid surfaces. Do
this by deriving the differential equation and boundary conditions for f(θ).
(c) Assuming that β <<1. use the results of (b) to find uφ (r, θ)
Hint: In spherical coordinates, (r, θ, φ), the continuity equation for an incompressible fluid is:

φ component of Navier-Stokes equations of motion for an incompressible fluid with uniform

viscosity is:

where p is the pressure, ρ is the fluid density and fφ is the body force component = 0, consider steady
state.
Problem 2

Figure 2. Radial flow between parallel disks

Consider a steady, axisymmetric flow of a viscous fluid in the gap between two disks of radius
R, as shown in Fig 2. Fluid is introduced at a volumetric flow rate Q through small inlets at the
center of each disk, and it flows radially outward; the total flow rate is 2Q. The inlet radius (R0)
and disk spacing (2H) are such that R0/H<<l and H/R<<l.
(a) Relate U(r), the mean radial velocity in the gap, to Q and the geometric quantities.
(b) Let U0 =U(H) and assume that uz=uθ =0. If entrance and exit effects are neglected and
if Re = U0 Hρ/μ<< 1, show that the continuity and momentum equations (with appropriate
boundary conditions) have a solution of the form
ur=f(z)/r
(c) Determine ur(r, z) for the conditions of part (b). Express ur in terms of the known flow
rate, Q.

Hint: In cylindrical coordinates, (r, θ, z), the continuity equation for an incompressible fluid is:

r, θ, φ components of Navier-Stokes equations of motion for an incompressible fluid with

uniform viscosity is:
fr , fθ and fz =0;

Problem 3

Figure 3. Flow through a cone of angle β at a volumetric flow rate Q.

Consider axisymmetric creeping flow in the conical region shown in Fig. 3, in which
fluid emerges from a small hole at the apex of the cone at a volumetric flow rate Q. In spherical
coordinates the solid surface corresponds to θ = β.
(a) Show that a purely radial flow is consistent with continuity and with the boundary conditions
at the solid surface.
(b) Show that a purely radial flow is consistent also with Stokes' equation, and determine
the pressure fields. Also find the differential equation that can be used to find velocity. (No need
to solve the differential equation)
[Hint: Let vr(r, η) = f(η)/r2, where η =cosθ; Axisymmetric steady flow – For all parts]

In spherical coordinates, (r, θ, φ), the continuity equation for an incompressible fluid is :

r, θ, φ, component of Navier-Stokes equations of motion for an incompressible fluid with

uniform viscosity is:

where p is the pressure, ρ is the fluid density and fφ is the body force component = 0, consider steady
state.