CL 254 Fluid Mechanics 2025
Problem Set 7
Problem 1
( )
For the laminar velocity profile u = a 2 − r 2 , prove that the fraction f of total volumetric flow rate
2
R2
that occurs between the wall and a radial location r = R is given by f = 1 − 2 .
a
Oil coloured with fluorescein (red dye) is in laminar flow with mean velocity um in a long pipe of
length L, when the stream at the inlet is suddenly switched to colourless oil. Draw a diagram showing
a representative location of the interface between colourless and coloured oil, after the colourless oil
has started appearing at the pipe exit. How long a time t will it take, as a multiple of L u m , for the
flow at the exit to consist of 99% colourless oil?
Problem 2
A horizontal pipeline is designed for a given , L, Q, , and P, where all symbols have their usual
meanings, and the resulting diameter is calculated to be a certain value D. It is then found that scaling
or corrosion is likely to occur and that may rise tenfold giving fF about twice as large as originally
thought. In order to maintain the same values for Q and P, by what ratio should the design diameter
be increased over its original value to allow for scaling and corrosion?
Problem 3
For a fully developed laminar flow in a pipe, determine the radial distance from pipe axis at which
velocity equals average velocity.
Problem 4
A hypodermic needle with inside diameter d = 0.127 mm and length L = 25 mm is used to inject
saline solution with viscosity five times that of water. The plunger diameter is D = 10 mm; the
maximum force that can be exerted by a thumb on the plunger is F = 33.4 N. Estimate the volume
flow rate of saline that can be produced. Assume saline density is close to that of water and the flow is
laminar. Verify the assumption of laminar flow.
Problem 5
In a food industry plant two immiscible fluids are pumped through a tube such that fluid 1 (1 = 0.96
Ns/m2) forms an inner core of diameter 0.5D and fluid 2 (2 = 1.436 Ns/m2) forms an outer annulus.
The tube has D = 5 mm diameter and length L = 15 m. Derive the velocity distribution if the applied
pressure difference, P, is 6.9 kPa.
Problem 6
Crude oil flows through a level section of the Alaskan pipeline at a rate of 2.944 m3/s. The pipe inside
diameter is 1.22 m and its roughness is /D = 0.00012. The maximum allowable pressure is 8.27 MPa
and the minimum pressure required to keep dissolved gases in solution in the crude oil is 344.5 kPa.
The crude oil has SG = 0.93; its viscosity at the pumping temperature of 60 degree Celsius is =
0.0168 Ns/m2. For these conditions, determine the maximum possible spacing between pumping
stations. (Given: For given roughness & Reynold’s number, friction factor f = 4.25E-3).
1
CL 254 Fluid Mechanics 2025
Problem 7
Consider incompressible flow in a circular channel. Derive general expressions for the Reynolds
number in terms of (a) volume flow rate and tube diameter and (b) mass flow rate and tube diameter.
The Reynolds number is 1800 in a section where the tube diameter is 10 mm. Find the Reynolds
number for the same mass flow rate in a section where the tube diameter is 6 mm.