BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2B.

3 Page 1 of 6

Problem 2B.3
Laminar flow in a narrow slit (see Fig. 2B.3).

Figure 1: Fig. 2B.3 in the text. Flow through a slit, with B  W  L.

(a) A Newtonian fluid is in laminar flow in a narrow slit formed by two parallel walls a distance
2B apart. It is understood that B  W , so that “edge effects” are unimportant. Make a
differential momentum balance, and obtain the following expressions for the momentum-flux
and velocity distributions:
P0 − PL
 
τxz = x (2B.3-1)
L
(P0 − PL )B 2
  x 2 
vz = 1− (2B.3-2)
2µL B
In these expressions P = p + ρgh = p − ρgz.
(b) What is the ratio of the average velocity to the maximum velocity for this flow?
(c) Obtain the slit analog of the Hagen–Poiseuille equation.
(d) Draw a meaningful sketch to show why the above analysis is inapplicable if B = W .
(e) How can the result in (b) be obtained from the results of §2.5?

2
Answers: (b) hvz i/vz,max =
3
2 (P0 − PL )B 3 W ρ
(c) w =
3 µL

Solution

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2B.3 Page 2 of 6

Part (a)

We assume that the fluid flows in the z-direction and that its velocity varies as a function of x.

vz = vz (x)

As a result, only φxz (the z-momentum in the positive x-direction) and φzz (the z-momentum in
the positive z-direction) contribute to the momentum balance. We also assume that the pressure
varies with height.
p = p(z)

Figure 2: This is the shell over which the momentum balance is made for the flow in a slit.

Rate of z-momentum into the shell at z = 0: (W ∆x)φzz |z=0

Rate of z-momentum out of the shell at z = L: (W ∆x)φzz |z=L
Rate of z-momentum into the shell at x: (W L)φxz |x
Rate of z-momentum out of the shell at x + ∆x: (W L)φxz |x+∆x
Component of gravitational force on the shell in z-direction: (W L∆x)ρg

If we assume steady flow, then the momentum balance is

Rate of momentum in − Rate of momentum out + Force of gravity = 0.

Considering only the z-component, we have

(W ∆x)φzz |z=0 − (W ∆x)φzz |z=L + (W L)φxz |x − (W L)φxz |x+∆x + (W L∆x)ρg = 0.

Factor the left side.

W ∆x( φzz |z=0 − φzz |z=L ) − W L( φxz |x+∆x − φxz |x ) + (W L∆x)ρg = 0

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2B.3 Page 3 of 6

Divide both sides by the volume of the shell W L∆x.

φzz |z=0 − φzz |z=L φxz |x+∆x − φxz |x
− + ρg = 0
L ∆x
Take the limit as ∆x → 0.
φzz |z=0 − φzz |z=L φxz |x+∆x − φxz |x
− lim + ρg = 0
L ∆x→0 ∆x
The second term is the definition of the first derivative.
φzz |z=0 − φzz |z=L dφxz
− + ρg = 0
L dx
Now substitute the expressions for φxz and φzz .

φxz = τxz + 
ρv
xv
 z = τxz
2
φzz = pδzz + H
τzz
H + ρvz vz = p(z) + ρvz

Since vz does not depend on z, the ρvz2 terms cancel and we get

2 

2 
p(0) + 
ρvz z=0 − p(L) − 
ρvz z=L dτxz
− + ρg = 0.
L dx
Make it so ρg is part of the fraction.
p(0) − p(L) + ρgL dτxz
− =0
L dx
Subtract ρg0 from the numerator.
p(0) − ρg0 − [p(L) − ρgL] dτxz
− =0
L dx
Substitute Pz = p(z) − ρgz.
P0 − PL dτxz
− =0
L dx
So we have
dτxz P0 − PL
= .
dx L
From Newton’s law of viscosity we know that τxz = −µ(dvz /dx), so
P0 − PL
 
d dvz
−µ = .
dx dx L
Bring −µ in front of the derivative and then divide both sides by it.
d2 vz P0 − PL
2
=−
dx µL
We assume the fluid has zero velocity at the walls (x = ±B), i.e. the no-slip boundary condition,
and that the maximum velocity occurs furthest from the walls (x = 0). That is,
dvz
B.C. 1: = 0 when x = 0
dx
B.C. 2: vz = 0 when x = ±B.

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2B.3 Page 4 of 6

Integrate both sides of the differential equation with respect to x.

dvz P0 − PL
=− x + C1
dx µL
Apply the first boundary condition.

dvz 
= C1 = 0
dx 
x=0
Integrate both sides of the differential equation with respect to x once more.
P0 − PL 2
vz (x) = − x + C2
2µL
Apply the second boundary condition.
P0 − PL 2 P0 − PL 2
vz (±B) = − B + C2 = 0 → C2 = B
2µL 2µL
With the constants determined, we know the velocity profile.
P0 − PL 2 P0 − PL 2
vz (x) = − x + B
2µL 2µL
P0 − PL 2
= (B − x2 )
2µL
Therefore,
P0 − PL 2
  x 2 
vz (x) = B 1−
2µL B
and
dvz P0 − PL
τxz = −µ =− x.
dx L
Part (b)

As mentioned before, the maximum velocity occurs when x = 0.

P0 − PL 2
vz (0) = vz,max = B
2µL
Now we will find the average velocity. It is obtained by integrating vz (x) over the area the fluid
flows perpendicular to and then dividing by that area.
ˆ
1
hvz i = vz dA
A
ˆ B
P0 − PL 2
  x 2 
1
= B 1− (W dx)
W (2B) −B 2µL B
ˆ 
B P0 − PL B  x 2 
= 1− dx
4µ L −B B
B
B P0 − PL x3 

= x−
4µ L 3B 2 −B
B P0 − PL 4
 
= B
4µ L 3
P0 − PL 2
= B
3µL

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2B.3 Page 5 of 6

Therefore, the ratio of the average velocity to the maximum velocity is

P0 −PL 2 1
hvz i 3µL B 3 2
= P0 −PL 2
= 1 = .
vz,max 2µL B 2
3

Part (c)

Here we will find the rate of mass flow w in the slit. Assume that fluid density ρ is constant.

dm d(ρV ) dV
w= = =ρ
dt dt dt
The volumetric flow rate dV /dt is equal to average velocity times cross-sectional area.

= ρhvz i(2BW )
P0 − PL 2
=ρ B (2BW )
3µL
Therefore,
2 (P0 − PL )B 3 W ρ
w= .
3 µL
Part (d)

Figure 3: This figure illustrates what happens when B = W .

When W = B hardly any part of the flow is not signficantly affected by the edges. The
assumption that the velocity only flows in the z-direction and varies in the x-direction is no
longer reasonable.

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2B.3 Page 6 of 6

Part (e)

§2.5 analyzes flow in a slit lying horizontally for two immiscible fluids with different viscosities (µI
and µII ), so gravity does not appear in the equations there as it does here. The main results from
that section for fluid I are the velocity profile,

(p0 − pL )b2 2µI

  I
µ − µII  x   x 2
  
I
vz = + − , (2.5-18)
2µI L µI + µII µI + µII b b

and the average velocity,

(p0 − pL )b2 7µI + µII
 
hvzI i = . (2.5-20)
12µI L µI + µII
Set p0 − pL = P0 − P1 and set µI = µII = µ to obtain the corresponding equations for one fluid
moving vertically downward in a slit as a result of a pressure difference and gravity. Also, in §2.5
b is used instead of B, so set b = B.

(P0 − PL )B 2
  x 2 
I
vz = 1−
2µL B
(P0 − PL )B 2
hvzI i =
3µL
Set x = 0 to obtain the maximum velocity.

I (P0 − PL )B 2
vz,max = vzI (x = 0) =
2µL

The ratio of the average velocity to the maximum velocity is the same as that obtained in part (b).
(P0 −PL )B 2 1
hvzI i 3µL 3 2
I
= (P0 −PL )B 2
= 1 =
vz,max 2
3
2µL

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