Dimension Reduction of Equations in Cylindrical and Spherical

Coordinates
Manus AI
March 27, 2025

1 Introduction
This document presents the dimension reduction of four important equations in both cylindrical coordinates
(axisymmetry) and spherical coordinates (radial symmetry). The equations considered are:
1. Allen-Cahn Equation
2. Cahn-Hilliard Equation
3. Convection-Diffusion Equation
4. Navier-Stokes Equations
Dimension reduction exploits symmetry to reduce the computational complexity of partial differential
equations. By assuming axisymmetry (cylindrical symmetry) or radial symmetry (spherical symmetry), we
can reduce 3D problems to 2D or 1D problems, respectively.

2 Preliminaries: Differential Operators in Cylindrical and Spher-

ical Coordinates
2.1 Cylindrical Coordinates
In cylindrical coordinates (r, ϕ, z), the gradient, divergence, and Laplacian operators are:
Gradient of a scalar field f :
∂f 1 ∂f ∂f
∇f = er + eϕ + ez (1)
∂r r ∂ϕ ∂z
Divergence of a vector field v = vr er + vϕ eϕ + vz ez :
1 ∂ 1 ∂vϕ ∂vz
∇·v= (rvr ) + + (2)
r ∂r r ∂ϕ ∂z
Laplacian of a scalar field f :
1 ∂ 1 ∂2f ∂2f
 
∂f
∇ f=
2
r + 2 2
+ 2 (3)
r ∂r ∂r r ∂ϕ ∂z

For axisymmetric problems, where there is no dependence on the angular coordinate ϕ, we have ∂
∂ϕ = 0,
and the operators simplify to:
Gradient (axisymmetric):
∂f ∂f
∇f = er + ez (4)
∂r ∂z
Divergence (axisymmetric):
1 ∂ ∂vz
∇·v= (rvr ) + (5)
r ∂r ∂z

1
 Laplacian (axisymmetric):
1 ∂ ∂2f
 
∂f
∇ f=
2
r + (6)
r ∂r ∂r ∂z 2

2.2 Spherical Coordinates

In spherical coordinates (r, θ, ϕ), the gradient, divergence, and Laplacian operators are:
Gradient of a scalar field f :
∂f 1 ∂f 1 ∂f
∇f = er + eθ + eϕ (7)
∂r r ∂θ r sin θ ∂ϕ
Divergence of a vector field v = vr er + vθ eθ + vϕ eϕ :

1 ∂ 2 1 ∂ 1 ∂vϕ
∇·v= (r vr ) + (sin θvθ ) + (8)
r2 ∂r r sin θ ∂θ r sin θ ∂ϕ
Laplacian of a scalar field f :

1 ∂ 1 1 ∂2f
   
∂f ∂ ∂f
∇2 f = r2 + sin θ + (9)
r2 ∂r ∂r r sin θ ∂θ
2 ∂θ r2 sin θ
2 ∂ϕ2

For radially symmetric problems, where there is no dependence on the angular coordinates θ and ϕ, we
have ∂θ
∂
= ∂ϕ
∂
= 0, and the operators simplify to:
Gradient (radially symmetric):
∂f
∇f = er (10)
∂r
Divergence (radially symmetric):
1 ∂
∇ · v = 2 (r2 vr ) (11)
r ∂r
Laplacian (radially symmetric):

1 ∂ ∂2f 2 ∂f
 
2 ∂f
∇ f= 2
2
r = + (12)
r ∂r ∂r ∂r2 r ∂r

3 Dimension Reduction of Allen-Cahn Equation

The Allen-Cahn equation is given by:
∂ϕ 1
= −M µ, where µ = W ′ (ϕ) − ϵ∇2 ϕ (13)
∂t ϵ
Substituting the expression for µ:

1 ′
 
∂ϕ M ′
= −M W (ϕ) − ϵ∇2 ϕ =− W (ϕ) + M ϵ∇2 ϕ (14)
∂t ϵ ϵ

3.1 Dimension Reduction in Cylindrical Coordinates (Axisymmetry)

3.1.1 Step 1: Identify the form of the Laplacian in cylindrical coordinates
For an axisymmetric problem, where ϕ is independent of the angular coordinate ϕ (note the same symbol is
used for both the phase field and the angular coordinate), the Laplacian in cylindrical coordinates is:

1 ∂ ∂2ϕ
 
∂ϕ
∇2 ϕ = r + 2 (15)
r ∂r ∂r ∂z

2
3.1.2 Step 2: Substitute the axisymmetric Laplacian into the Allen-Cahn equation
1 ∂ ∂2ϕ
   
∂ϕ M ∂ϕ
= − W ′ (ϕ) + M ϵ r + 2 (16)
∂t ϵ r ∂r ∂r ∂z

3.1.3 Step 3: Expand the Laplacian term

∂ ϕ 1 ∂ϕ ∂ 2 ϕ
 2 
∂ϕ M ′
= − W (ϕ) + M ϵ + + 2 (17)
∂t ϵ ∂r2 r ∂r ∂z

3.1.4 Step 4: Final form of the Allen-Cahn equation in cylindrical coordinates with axisym-
metry
∂ ϕ 1 ∂ϕ ∂ 2 ϕ
 2 
∂ϕ M ′
= − W (ϕ) + M ϵ + + 2 (18)
∂t ϵ ∂r2 r ∂r ∂z
This is a 2D problem in the (r, z) plane, reduced from the original 3D problem.

3.1.5 Step 5: Boundary conditions

For a complete description, we need appropriate boundary conditions:
1. At the symmetry axis (r = 0), we need regularity conditions:

∂ϕ
(t, 0, z) = 0 (19)
∂r
2. At the outer boundary (r = R or r → ∞), depending on the specific problem:
• For a finite domain (r = R): Typically Dirichlet or Neumann conditions
• For an infinite domain (r → ∞): ϕ approaches a constant value

3.2 Dimension Reduction in Spherical Coordinates (Radial Symmetry)

3.2.1 Step 1: Identify the form of the Laplacian in spherical coordinates
For a radially symmetric problem, where ϕ is independent of the angular coordinates θ and ϕ, the Laplacian
in spherical coordinates is:
1 ∂ ∂ 2 ϕ 2 ∂ϕ
 
∂ϕ
∇2 ϕ = 2 r2 = + (20)
r ∂r ∂r ∂r2 r ∂r

3.2.2 Step 2: Substitute the radially symmetric Laplacian into the Allen-Cahn equation
∂ ϕ 2 ∂ϕ
 2 
∂ϕ M
= − W ′ (ϕ) + M ϵ + (21)
∂t ϵ ∂r2 r ∂r

3.2.3 Step 3: Final form of the Allen-Cahn equation in spherical coordinates with radial
symmetry
∂ ϕ 2 ∂ϕ
 2 
∂ϕ M
= − W ′ (ϕ) + M ϵ + (22)
∂t ϵ ∂r2 r ∂r
This is a 1D problem in the radial coordinate r, reduced from the original 3D problem.

3
3.2.4 Step 4: Boundary conditions
For a complete description, we need appropriate boundary conditions:
1. At the center (r = 0), we need regularity conditions:

∂ϕ
(t, 0) = 0 (23)
∂r
2. At the outer boundary (r = R or r → ∞), depending on the specific problem:
• For a finite domain (r = R): Typically Dirichlet or Neumann conditions
• For an infinite domain (r → ∞): ϕ approaches a constant value

4 Dimension Reduction of Cahn-Hilliard Equation

The Cahn-Hilliard equation is given by:
∂ϕ 1
= M ∇2 µ, where µ = W ′ (ϕ) − ϵ∇2 ϕ (24)
∂t ϵ
Substituting the expression for µ:

1 ′
 
∂ϕ M 2 ′
= M ∇2 W (ϕ) − ϵ∇2 ϕ = ∇ W (ϕ) − M ϵ∇4 ϕ (25)
∂t ϵ ϵ

where ∇4 is the biharmonic operator (Laplacian of Laplacian).

4.1 Dimension Reduction in Cylindrical Coordinates (Axisymmetry)

4.1.1 Step 1: Identify the form of the Laplacian in cylindrical coordinates
For an axisymmetric problem, the Laplacian in cylindrical coordinates is:

1 ∂ ∂2ϕ ∂ 2 ϕ 1 ∂ϕ ∂ 2 ϕ
 
∂ϕ
∇2 ϕ = r + 2 = + + 2 (26)
r ∂r ∂r ∂z ∂r2 r ∂r ∂z

4.1.2 Step 2: Express the biharmonic operator in cylindrical coordinates

The biharmonic operator ∇4 ϕ = ∇2 (∇2 ϕ) can be expressed by applying the Laplacian operator twice:

∂ ϕ 1 ∂ϕ ∂ 2 ϕ
 2 
∇ ϕ=∇
4 2
+ + 2 (27)
∂r2 r ∂r ∂z

Expanding this expression is complex, but for our purposes, we can leave it in this form.

4.1.3 Step 3: Substitute into the Cahn-Hilliard equation

M ∂ 2 W ′ (ϕ) 1 ∂W ′ (ϕ) ∂ 2 W ′ (ϕ)
 
∂ϕ
= + + − M ϵ∇4 ϕ (28)
∂t ϵ ∂r2 r ∂r ∂z 2

4.1.4 Step 4: Final form of the Cahn-Hilliard equation in cylindrical coordinates with ax-
isymmetry
∂ϕ M 2 ′
= ∇ W (ϕ) − M ϵ∇4 ϕ (29)
∂t ϵ
where ∇2 and ∇4 are the axisymmetric Laplacian and biharmonic operators in cylindrical coordinates.
This is a 2D problem in the (r, z) plane, reduced from the original 3D problem.

4
4.1.5 Step 5: Boundary conditions
For a complete description, we need appropriate boundary conditions:
1. At the symmetry axis (r = 0), we need regularity conditions:
∂ϕ
(t, 0, z) = 0 (30)
∂r
∂ 1 ′
 
W (ϕ) − ϵ∇ ϕ (t, 0, z) = 0
2
(31)
∂r ϵ
2. At the outer boundary (r = R or r → ∞), depending on the specific problem:
• For a finite domain (r = R): Typically no-flux conditions
• For an infinite domain (r → ∞): ϕ approaches a constant value

4.2 Dimension Reduction in Spherical Coordinates (Radial Symmetry)

4.2.1 Step 1: Identify the form of the Laplacian in spherical coordinates
For a radially symmetric problem, the Laplacian in spherical coordinates is:
1 ∂ ∂ 2 ϕ 2 ∂ϕ
 
∂ϕ
∇2 ϕ = 2 r2 = + (32)
r ∂r ∂r ∂r2 r ∂r

4.2.2 Step 2: Express the biharmonic operator in spherical coordinates

The biharmonic operator ∇4 ϕ = ∇2 (∇2 ϕ) can be expressed by applying the Laplacian operator twice:
∂ ϕ 2 ∂ϕ
 2 
∇ ϕ=∇
4 2
+ (33)
∂r2 r ∂r
Expanding this expression is complex, but for our purposes, we can leave it in this form.

4.2.3 Step 3: Substitute into the Cahn-Hilliard equation

M ∂ 2 W ′ (ϕ) 2 ∂W ′ (ϕ)
 
∂ϕ
= + − M ϵ∇4 ϕ (34)
∂t ϵ ∂r2 r ∂r

4.2.4 Step 4: Final form of the Cahn-Hilliard equation in spherical coordinates with radial
symmetry
∂ϕ M 2 ′
= ∇ W (ϕ) − M ϵ∇4 ϕ (35)
∂t ϵ
where ∇2 and ∇4 are the radially symmetric Laplacian and biharmonic operators in spherical coordinates.
This is a 1D problem in the radial coordinate r, reduced from the original 3D problem.

4.2.5 Step 5: Boundary conditions

For a complete description, we need appropriate boundary conditions:
1. At the center (r = 0), we need regularity conditions:
∂ϕ
(t, 0) = 0 (36)
∂r
∂ 1 ′
 
W (ϕ) − ϵ∇2 ϕ (t, 0) = 0 (37)
∂r ϵ
2. At the outer boundary (r = R or r → ∞), depending on the specific problem:
• For a finite domain (r = R): Typically no-flux conditions
• For an infinite domain (r → ∞): ϕ approaches a constant value

5
5 Dimension Reduction of Convection-Diffusion Equation
The convection-diffusion equation is given by:
∂u
+ ∇ · (vu) − D∇2 u = q (38)
∂t
where u is the concentration or temperature, v is the velocity field, D is the diffusion coefficient, and q
is the source/sink term.

5.1 Dimension Reduction in Cylindrical Coordinates (Axisymmetry)

5.1.1 Step 1: Identify the form of the divergence and Laplacian in cylindrical coordinates
For an axisymmetric problem, where all quantities are independent of the angular coordinate ϕ, the diver-
gence and Laplacian in cylindrical coordinates are:
1 ∂ ∂
∇ · (vu) = (rvr u) + (vz u) (39)
r ∂r ∂z
1 ∂ ∂2u ∂ 2 u 1 ∂u ∂ 2 u
 
∂u
∇ u=
2
r + 2 = + + 2 (40)
r ∂r ∂r ∂z ∂r2 r ∂r ∂z

5.1.2 Step 2: Substitute into the convection-diffusion equation

∂u 1 ∂ ∂ u 1 ∂u ∂ 2 u
 2 
∂
+ (rvr u) + (vz u) − D + + =q (41)
∂t r ∂r ∂z ∂r2 r ∂r ∂z 2

5.1.3 Step 3: Final form of the convection-diffusion equation in cylindrical coordinates with
axisymmetry
∂u 1 ∂ ∂ u 1 ∂u ∂ 2 u
 2 
∂
+ (rvr u) + (vz u) − D + + =q (42)
∂t r ∂r ∂z ∂r2 r ∂r ∂z 2
This is a 2D problem in the (r, z) plane, reduced from the original 3D problem.

5.1.4 Step 4: Boundary conditions

For a complete description, we need appropriate boundary conditions:
1. At the symmetry axis (r = 0), we need regularity conditions:
∂u
(t, 0, z) = 0 (43)
∂r
2. At the outer boundary (r = R or r → ∞), depending on the specific problem:
• For a finite domain (r = R): Typically Dirichlet or Neumann conditions
• For an infinite domain (r → ∞): u approaches a constant value

5.2 Dimension Reduction in Spherical Coordinates (Radial Symmetry)

5.2.1 Step 1: Identify the form of the divergence and Laplacian in spherical coordinates
For a radially symmetric problem, where all quantities are independent of the angular coordinates θ and ϕ,
the divergence and Laplacian in spherical coordinates are:
1 ∂ 2
∇ · (vu) = (r vr u) (44)
r2 ∂r
1 ∂ ∂ 2 u 2 ∂u
 
∂u
∇2 u = 2 r2 = + (45)
r ∂r ∂r ∂r2 r ∂r

6
5.2.2 Step 2: Substitute into the convection-diffusion equation
1 ∂ ∂ u 2 ∂u
 2 
∂u
+ 2 (r2 vr u) − D + =q (46)
∂t r ∂r ∂r2 r ∂r

5.2.3 Step 3: Final form of the convection-diffusion equation in spherical coordinates with
radial symmetry
1 ∂ 2 ∂ u 2 ∂u
 2 
∂u
+ 2 (r vr u) − D + =q (47)
∂t r ∂r ∂r2 r ∂r
This is a 1D problem in the radial coordinate r, reduced from the original 3D problem.

5.2.4 Step 4: Boundary conditions

For a complete description, we need appropriate boundary conditions:
1. At the center (r = 0), we need regularity conditions:
∂u
(t, 0) = 0 (48)
∂r
2. At the outer boundary (r = R or r → ∞), depending on the specific problem:
• For a finite domain (r = R): Typically Dirichlet or Neumann conditions
• For an infinite domain (r → ∞): u approaches a constant value

6 Dimension Reduction of Navier-Stokes Equations

The Navier-Stokes equations are given by:
 
∂v
ρ + v · ∇v − η∇2 v + ∇P = f (49)
∂t
∇·v =0 (50)

where v is the velocity field, ρ is the density, η is the dynamic viscosity, P is the pressure, and f is the
external force.

6.1 Dimension Reduction in Cylindrical Coordinates (Axisymmetry)

6.1.1 Step 1: Express the Navier-Stokes equations in cylindrical coordinates
In cylindrical coordinates (r, ϕ, z), the velocity field has components v = (vr , vϕ , vz ). For an axisymmetric
flow, we have ∂ϕ∂
= 0 and vϕ = 0 (no swirl).
The continuity equation (incompressibility constraint) becomes:
1 ∂ ∂vz
∇·v = (rvr ) + =0 (51)
r ∂r ∂z
The momentum equations in cylindrical coordinates for axisymmetric flow are complex. We’ll write them
component by component:
r-component:
∂ 1 ∂ ∂ 2 vr
     
∂vr ∂vr ∂vr ∂P vr
ρ + vr + vz =− +η (rvr ) + − + fr (52)
∂t ∂r ∂z ∂r ∂r r ∂r ∂z 2 r2
z-component:
1 ∂ ∂ 2 vz
     
∂vz ∂vz ∂vz ∂P ∂vz
ρ + vr + vz =− +η r + + fz (53)
∂t ∂r ∂z ∂z r ∂r ∂r ∂z 2

7
6.1.2 Step 2: Simplify the viscous terms
The viscous terms can be simplified as follows:
r-component:
∂ 1 ∂ ∂ 2 vr ∂ 2 vr 1 ∂vr ∂ 2 vr
 
vr vr
(rvr ) + − = + − + (54)
∂r r ∂r ∂z 2 r2 ∂r2 r ∂r r2 ∂z 2
z-component:
1 ∂ ∂ 2 vz ∂ 2 vz 1 ∂vz ∂ 2 vz
 
∂vz
r + 2
= 2
+ + (55)
r ∂r ∂r ∂z ∂r r ∂r ∂z 2

6.1.3 Step 3: Final form of the Navier-Stokes equations in cylindrical coordinates with ax-
isymmetry
Continuity equation:
1 ∂ ∂vz
(rvr ) + =0 (56)
r ∂r ∂z
r-component of momentum equation:

1 ∂vr
 2
∂ 2 vr
  
∂vr ∂vr ∂vr ∂P ∂ vr vr
ρ + vr + vz =− +η + − 2+ + fr (57)
∂t ∂r ∂z ∂r ∂r2 r ∂r r ∂z 2

z-component of momentum equation:

1 ∂vz
 2
∂ 2 vz
  
∂vz ∂vz ∂vz ∂P ∂ vz
ρ + vr + vz =− +η + + + fz (58)
∂t ∂r ∂z ∂z ∂r2 r ∂r ∂z 2

This is a 2D problem in the (r, z) plane, reduced from the original 3D problem.

6.1.4 Step 4: Boundary conditions

For a complete description, we need appropriate boundary conditions:
1. At the symmetry axis (r = 0), we need regularity conditions:

vr (t, 0, z) = 0 (59)

∂vz
(t, 0, z) = 0 (60)
∂r
2. At solid boundaries: no-slip conditions

vr = vz = 0 (61)

3. At inflow/outflow boundaries: specified velocity or pressure conditions

6.2 Dimension Reduction in Spherical Coordinates (Radial Symmetry)

6.2.1 Step 1: Express the Navier-Stokes equations in spherical coordinates
In spherical coordinates (r, θ, ϕ), the velocity field has components v = (vr , vθ , vϕ ). For a radially symmetric
flow, we have ∂θ
∂
= ∂ϕ
∂
= 0 and vθ = vϕ = 0 (purely radial flow).
The continuity equation (incompressibility constraint) becomes:

1 ∂ 2
∇·v = (r vr ) = 0 (62)
r2 ∂r
This implies:
∂ 2
(r vr ) = 0 (63)
∂r

8
 Integrating:
r 2 vr = C (64)
where C is a constant. For a non-singular solution at r = 0, we must have C = 0, which implies vr = 0
everywhere. This means that a non-trivial incompressible radially symmetric flow is not possible.
However, for completeness, we’ll derive the momentum equation for the radial component:

1 ∂ 2vr
     
∂vr ∂vr ∂P ∂vr
ρ + vr =− +η 2 r2 − 2 + fr (65)
∂t ∂r ∂r r ∂r ∂r r

6.2.2 Step 2: Simplify the viscous term

The viscous term can be simplified as follows:

1 ∂ 2vr ∂ 2 vr 2 ∂vr 2vr

 
2 ∂vr
r − = + − 2 (66)
r2 ∂r ∂r r2 ∂r2 r ∂r r

6.2.3 Step 3: Final form of the Navier-Stokes equations in spherical coordinates with radial
symmetry
Continuity equation:
1 ∂ 2
(r vr ) = 0 (67)
r2 ∂r
Radial momentum equation:

2 ∂vr 2vr
   2 
∂vr ∂vr ∂P ∂ vr
ρ + vr =− +η + − + fr (68)
∂t ∂r ∂r ∂r2 r ∂r r2

As noted earlier, the continuity equation implies vr = 0 for a non-singular solution, which makes the
momentum equation trivial. This illustrates a fundamental limitation: a non-trivial incompressible radially
symmetric flow is not possible.
For compressible flows or flows with sources/sinks, non-trivial radially symmetric solutions are possible.

7 Conclusion
This document has presented the dimension reduction of four important equations in both cylindrical coor-
dinates (axisymmetry) and spherical coordinates (radial symmetry). The key results are:
1. Allen-Cahn Equation: - Reduced to 2D in cylindrical coordinates with axisymmetry - Reduced to 1D
in spherical coordinates with radial symmetry
2. Cahn-Hilliard Equation: - Reduced to 2D in cylindrical coordinates with axisymmetry - Reduced to
1D in spherical coordinates with radial symmetry
3. Convection-Diffusion Equation: - Reduced to 2D in cylindrical coordinates with axisymmetry - Re-
duced to 1D in spherical coordinates with radial symmetry
4. Navier-Stokes Equations: - Reduced to 2D in cylindrical coordinates with axisymmetry - For spherical
coordinates with radial symmetry, a non-trivial incompressible flow is not possible
These dimension reductions significantly simplify the computational complexity of the original 3D prob-
lems, making them more tractable for numerical simulations and analytical studies.