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Advanced Fluid Mechanics

FLOW AROUND
SPHERE
Presented by:
Prof. D.Rashtchian

Sharif University of Technology


Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department

Now remember

i = ijk

u k
= 0 for irrotational flow.
x j

Hence if we can find a function where

uk =

x k

then i = 0 and the flow is necessarily irrotational and (2) is

Advanced Fluid Mechanics

satisfied.
Substituting for

uk

into the continuity equation

u k
2
=
=0
x k
x k x k
i.e.

Laplace's Equation

or

=0 ;
2

2

xi xi
2

2 2 2
+
+
=0
x12 x22 x32

Thus the determination of the velocity profile requires the solution of laplace's equation with appropriate b.c.'s

(i)

at stationary solid surfaces u n =

=0
x n

(normal component of velocity).


(ii)

(
)
=
(
)
u
far from solid surface
i
x i

(main stream velocity)


Nothing has been said about the no slip condition and this is generally not satisfied by potential flows. The
pressure distribution is determined by Bernoulli's equation.
Sharif University of Technology
Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department

Advanced Fluid Mechanics

Sphere, radius a, situated at O.


The velocity potential satisfies Laplaces's equation

2 = 0

c.f. x j = 0 for Cartesian co-ordinates.


2

Flow is symmetrical about the x3-axis, no rotational component i.e.

= 0

U = 0.

Sharif University of Technology


Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department

Advanced Fluid Mechanics

i.e. any tracer-marked fluid approaching the sphere is displaced radially but remains in the
same plane w.r.t.Ox3.
In spherical co-ordinates, Laplace's Equation is (B.S.L. p740(B))



1 2
1
r

+
sin

=0
r r 2 sin

r 2 r

(1)

In addition the velocity components are

Ur =
r
1
U =
r

c.f. U i =
x i
Boundary conditions:
(i)

Ur=0 at r=a

(ii)

= U r = U 0 cos
r

at

(iii)

1
= U = U 0 sin
r

at

Sharif University of Technology


Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department

Boundary conditions suggest a solution of the form (Separation of Variables)

Advanced Fluid Mechanics

= U 0 f (r ) cos

(2)

f (r )
1 2
cos + U 0 f (r ) cos
r
= 2U 0
2
r
r r r


1
f (r )
sin
= 2U 0 2 cos
2

r sin
r
Hence r 2 f (r ) + 2rf (r ) 2 f (r ) = 0
This is a second order, homogeneous O.D.E.

(3)

Using the substitution r=et gives a linear equation

f (t ) + f (t ) 2 f = 0

(4)

Which has the solution


f = Ae 2t + Be t
A
= 2 + Br
r

Using the Boundary Conditions A = a 3 / 2 : B = 1


Hence

a3
= U 0 r + 2 cos
2r

(5)
Sharif University of Technology
Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department

Advanced Fluid Mechanics

Pressure difference around sphere


Applying Bernoulli's equation in free stream

u r = U 0 cos

u = U 0 cos
u = 0

P = P0
Hence

(say)

u .u
U 02

+ P = constant =
+ P0
2
2

At the sphere surface

ur =
r

1
u =
r

r =a

r =a

a3
= U 0 1 2 cos = 0
r

U
= 0
r

a3
3
r + 2 sin = U 0 sin
2
2r

Sharif University of Technology


Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department

Hence

Advanced Fluid Mechanics

P P0 9 2

= 1 sin
2

U 0 / 2 4

Diagram shows form of pressure distribution, compared with experiment.

Ideal Flow Around Spheres


For potential flow, dimensionless
pressure around sphere,
P P0
9 2
= (1 sin )

2
4
U 0 / 2

Note:
(i)

Improves with Re

(ii)

No pressure loss as with real fluids

(iii) Pressure distribution symmetrical.


No drag force on sphere.
(iv) No fractional force on sphere.

Sharif University of Technology


Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department

Advanced Fluid Mechanics

Viscous flow around sphere


We study this particular subject as a link between potential flow theory and boundary layer theory.
Analytical
At very low Re, the creeping flow assumption may be made:
Viscous terms >> Inertia terms

U2
>>
L
L2

i.e.

Re << 1.0

A solution similar to the one for ideal flow is possible in terms of the stream function (introduced later).
Result of analysis, which is valid up to Re = 1.0, is that resultant force on sphere is due,

Sharif University of Technology


Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department

Advanced Fluid Mechanics

(i)
(ii)

partly to fractional effects


Partly to drag effects

Total Force, F, can be shown to be given by


F = 6aU0
Define:

Stoke's Law
(Known as drug coefficient)

f = friction factor
= dimensionless force per unit area acting on sphere

6 a U 0 .2
24
F
=
=
A p [ U 02 / 2 ] a 2 ( U 02 ) Re

Dimensional Analysis
Normalization of N-S equation gives:

Du i
P
1 2ui
=

Dt Re x x x
j
j
i
Solution of this P.D.E will certainly have Re as parameter.
Sharif University of Technology
Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department

Advanced Fluid Mechanics

f = f (Re)

Sharif University of Technology


Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department

Advanced Fluid Mechanics

(a)

Re << 1 (Stokes Regime)


- Analytical solution possible.
- No flow separation

(b)

Re 10
- A pair of vortex appears behind the

cylinder.

(c)

Re 10 2 (Intermediate Region)
- Von Karman Vortex Street.
- Vortices shed from alternate sides at regular
intervals.

(d)

Re 10 4 (high Re)
- Boundary layer develops on upstream face.
- Breaks away at separation point. This is
associated with adverse pressure gradient on the
downstream face.

(e)

Re 10 6
- Turbulence appears upstream of separation point

Sharif University of Technology


Chemical & Petroleum Engineering Department

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