Transport Phenomena (3170511)

Question and Answer

Q1. Classify the various transport processes

Solution: Classification of transport phenomena into three types

1. Momentum Transport: It deals with the transport of momentum in fluids and is also
known as fluid dynamics.
2. Energy or Heat Transport: It deals with the transport of different form of energy in a
system and is also known as heat transfer.
3. Mass Transport: It deals with the transport of various chemical species themselves.

Q2. Why the momentum, heat and mass transport phenomena should be studied together?

Solution: Three transport phenomena should be studied together for the following reasons

1. They frequently occur simultaneously in industrial, biological, agricultural, and

meteorological problems; the occurrence of any one transport process by itself is the
exception rather than the rule.
2. The basic equation that describes the three transport phenomena are closely related. The
similarity of the equations under simple condition is the basis for solving problems by
analogy.
3. The molecular mechanisms underlying the various transport phenomena are very closely
related. All materials are made up of molecules and the same molecular motions and
interactions are responsible for viscosity thermal conductivity and diffusion.
4. The mathematical tools needed for describing these phenomena are very similar.
5. These different types of physical quantities are used in transport phenomena.
Scales → e. g. temperature, pressure and concentration.
Vectors → e. g. Velocity, momentum and force.
Second order tensors→ e. g. stress or momentum flux and velocity gradient.

Q3. Explain the analogy among Newton’s law of viscosity, Fourier’s law of conduction and
Fick’s law of diffusion.
Solution: In molecular transport of momentum, heat and mass these are many similarities as
shown in tables ahead. Similarities like newtons law for momentum, heat has Fourier law, mass
has Fick’s law and we say that all above equations are similar and there is analogy among three
molecular transport processes. Main purpose of analogy is to allow prediction of the parameter for
any other transport process using these similarities among three transport processes is termed as
analogies these are

Analogy

Parameter Momentum Heat Mass

Flux 𝜏 𝑞 𝑁𝐴

Molecular T Unit 𝜇 𝑘 𝐷

Transfer coefficient 𝐹 ℎ 𝑘

Driving Force ∆𝑢 ∆𝑇 ∆𝐶

Equation of molecular 𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑇 𝑑𝐶𝐴

𝜏=𝜇 𝑞 = −𝑘 𝑁 = −𝐷
transfer 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

Equation in terms of 𝑓𝜌𝑢2 𝑞 = ℎ∆𝑇 𝑁𝐴 = 𝑘𝑐 ∆𝐶𝐴

𝜏=
convective coefficient 2

Q4. The distance between two parallel plates is 0.00914 m and the lower plate is being pulled at
a constant velocity 0.366 m/s faster relative to the top plate. The fluid filled between the plated
is glycerol at 293 K having a viscosity 1.069 kg/m.s. Calculate the shear stress and the shear rate.

Solution:

The relative distance between plates,

∆𝑦 = 0.00914 𝑚

Relative velocity,

∆𝑣𝑥 = 0.366 𝑚/𝑠

The viscosity of glycerol at 293 K = 1.069 Kg/m.s

Applying the newton’s law of viscosity

𝑑𝑣𝑥
𝜏𝑦𝑥 = − 𝜇
𝑑𝑦
 ∆𝑦 0
𝜏𝑦𝑥 ∫ 𝑑𝑦 = −𝜇 ∫ 𝑑𝑣𝑥
0 𝑣𝑥

𝜏𝑦𝑥 . (∆𝑦 − 0) = − 𝜇 (0 − 𝑣𝑥 )

𝜏𝑦𝑥 . ∆𝑦 = 𝜇 . 𝑣𝑥

𝒗𝒙
∴ 𝝉𝒚𝒙 = 𝝁
∆𝒚

0.366
𝜏𝑦𝑥 = 1.069 ×
0.00914

∴ 𝝉𝒚𝒙 = 𝟒𝟐. 𝟖 𝑵/𝒎𝟐

∆𝑣𝑥 0.366
𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 = =
∆𝑦 0.00914

∴ 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 = 𝟒𝟎. 𝟎𝟒 𝒔−𝟏

Q5. There are two parallel plates some distance apart. Between the plates, water is used at 24 ⁰ C.
The lower plates is being pulled at a constant velocity 0.4 m/s faster relative to the top plate. How
far apart should the two plates be placed so that the shear stress 𝜏 is 0.3 N/m2? Also calculate the
shear rate.
Solution:

The relative velocity of two plates, ∆𝑣𝑥 = 0.4 𝑚/𝑠

The viscosity of water at 24 ⁰C, 𝜇 = 0.9142 𝑐𝑃

𝜇 = 0.9142 × 10−3 𝑘𝑔/𝑚. 𝑠

Let, ∆𝑦 be the distance between the two plates.

Shear stress, 𝜏𝑦𝑥 = 0.3 𝑁/𝑚2

𝑑𝑣𝑥
Applying the newton’s law of viscosity, 𝜏𝑦𝑥 = − 𝜇 𝑑𝑦

∆𝑦 0
𝜏𝑦𝑥 ∫ 𝑑𝑦 = −𝜇 ∫ 𝑑𝑣𝑥
0 𝑣𝑥
 𝜏𝑦𝑥 . (∆𝑦 − 0) = − 𝜇 (0 − 𝑣𝑥 )

𝜏𝑦𝑥 . ∆𝑦 = 𝜇 . 𝑣𝑥
𝒗𝒙
∴ 𝝉𝒚𝒙 = 𝝁
∆𝒚

0.9142 × 10−3 × 0.4

0.3 =
∆𝒚

0.9142 × 10−3 × 0.4

∆𝒚 =
0.3
∴ ∆𝒚 = 𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟏𝟐𝟐 𝒎

∴ ∆𝒚 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟐𝟐 𝒄𝒎

𝑇ℎ𝑢𝑠,
∆𝑣𝑥 0.4
𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 = =
∆𝑦 0.00122

∴ 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 = 𝟑𝟐𝟕. 𝟖 𝒔−𝟏

Q6. Define thermal diffusivity and Prandtl number.

Solution: Thermal Diffusivity: In heat transfer analysis, thermal diffusivity is the thermal
conductivity divided by density and specific heat capacity at constant pressure.

Prandtl number (Pr) is defined as the ratio of momentum diffusivity (kinematic viscosity) to
thermal diffusivity.

Q7. State and discuss the Newton’s law of viscosity along with supporting equations and
schematic diagram.
Solution:
 Q8. Discuss the Comparison between molecular and convective mechanisms for momentum
transport.
Answer:
Q9. Glycerine at 26.5 0C is flowing through a horizontal tube 1 ft long and with 0.1 in. inside
diameter. For a pressure drop of 40 psi, the volume flow rate is 0.00398 ft3/min. The density of
glycerine at 26.5 0C is 1.261 g/cm3. From the flow data, find the viscosity of glycerine in
centipoises and in Pa.s.
Answer:
Q.10: Explain with appropriate equations for the Fourier’s law of molecular energy transport.

A.10:
Q.11: State the fundamental law that governs the convictive heat transfer & State and explain the
general shell energy balance equation

A.11:
Q.12: Consider an electric wire of circular cross section with radius R and electrical conductivity ke
ohm-1 cm-1. Through this wire there is an electric current with current density I amp/cm2. The
transmission of an electric current is an irreversible process, and some electrical energy is converted
into heat (thermal energy). The rate of heat production per unit volume is given by the expression Se
= I2/ke. The surface of the wire is maintained at temperature To. Find the radial temperature
distribution within the wire.

A.12:
Q.13: For the fixed-bed axial flow reactor shown in figure, find the steady state axial temperature
distribution. The fluid is flowing axially in plug flow with superficial velocity V0. The reactants enter
at z = -α and leave at z = +α. The reaction zone is from z = 0 to z = L.

A.13:
Q.14: Develop a formula to determine the overall heat transfer coefficient for the heat transfer
through composite wall.

A.14:
Q.15: Differentiate between momentum, heat and mass transport phenomena.

A.15: