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eISSN: 2641-9335

Mathematical and Theoretical Physics

Research Article Volume 1 Issue 5

Laminar flow of Newtonian liquids in ducts of rectangular cross-section a model for both physics and mathematics

Franck Delplace

ESI Group Scientific Committee, France

Correspondence: Franck Delplace, ESI Group Scientific Committee, 100 Av. De Suffren, Paris, France

Received: August 16, 2018 | Published: September 24, 2018

Citation: Delplace F. Laminar flow of Newtonian liquids in ducts of rectangular cross-section a model for both physics and mathematics. Open Acc J Math Theor Phy. 2018;1(5):198-201 DOI: 10.15406/oajmtp.2018.01.00034

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Abstract

In this paper, we considered the laminar fully developed flow, of a Newtonian fluid, inducts of rectangular cross-section. Poisson’s partial differential equation Saint-Venant solution was used, to calculate Poiseuille number values whatever is rectangles aspect ratio. From these results, we considered limit cases of square duct and plane Poiseuille flow (infinite parallel plates). We showed there exists a rectangle equivalent to a circular cross-section for energy dissipation through viscous friction. Finally, we gave some mathematical consequences of this approach for odd integers zeta function calculations and Catalan’s constant.

Keywords: rectangular ducts, poisson’s equation, saint-venant solution, viscous friction, zeta function, catalan’s constant.

Introduction

Pipes used in most applications always have a circular cross-section. That is why Poiseuille law/equation is used to calculate the pressure drop produced by a liquid flowing in a pipe in the laminar flow regime. Poiseuille famous equation tells us that pressure drop is proportional to liquid flow-rateQ(m3.s1).Q(m3.s1). In Engineering, this relationship is expressed using dimensionless numbers: The Fanning friction factor(f/2) and the Reynolds number (Re):
f2=8Re  (1)

With

f2=τwρˉv2  (2)

And

Re=ρˉvDη  (3)

In equation (2), D(m) is the pipe diameter, τw(Pa) is the wall shear stress due to liquid friction on pipe wall. In the case of the perfectly symmetric circular cross-section, its value is identical whatever is the position along the perimeter giving the local valueτw equal to the mean valueˉτw.ρ(kg.m3) is the liquid density andˉv(m.s1) its mean velocity calculated from the flow-rateQ(m3.s1) measurement usingˉv=Q/S whereS(m2)=πR2 is the cross-section area. From a balance between pressure dropΔP(Pa) and viscous friction on pipe wall, it is possible to obtain a simple relationship betweenτw  andΔP:

τw=ΔPD4L  (4)

In this equation, D(m) is the pipe diameter and L(m) is the pipe length where pressure drop ΔP is measured by use of a pressure sensor. The last parameter involved in equation (3) is well-known Newtonian liquid dynamic viscosity η(Pa.s).

Finally, in equation (2), terms τw and ρˉv2 are energy concentrations, respectively energy dissipated by viscous friction and kinetic energy introduced in the liquid by the pumping system. From these considerations, dimensionless number ΔP represents the percentage of energy concentration dissipated by the liquid at pipe wall. Of course, this mechanical energy is converted into heat.

From equation (1), we can form the product:

f/2 Re=Po  (5)

The new dimensionless quantity Po is called Poiseuille number in honour of important Poiseuille work on liquids laminar flow. In the simple case of pipe flow, we have Po=8 (you sometimes find Po=16 or Po=64 depending on how you define Fanning friction factor).

Now, the question is what is the situation when a duct has a non-circular cross-section?

As reported in famous Shah and London1 source book entitled “Laminar forced convection in ducts”, and experimentally or numerically verified by numerous authors,2 we generally have Po8 (we will explain why we say generally in the following of this paper).

An interesting and important geometry to investigate is rectangular ducts, from square cross-section exhibiting high symmetry properties (regular compact convex shape) to all rectangles of aspect ratio we called b/a. In fluid mechanics, we consider a limit case for rectangular geometries: the often called “Plane Poiseuille flow” corresponds to a rectangle such as ba  giving b/a+.  This ideal type of flow is highly symmetric like the flow in a pipe because small side length has no influence on the velocity field which remains the same along large side length. The following Figure 1 illustrates rectangular geometries considered in fluid mechanics.

Figure 1 Rectangular cross-section considered in fluid mechanics.

It is well-known that ideal plane Poiseuille flow gives a theoretical value Po=12.

Moreover, as recently showed by Delplace,2 Po values could explain critical Reynolds number values for the change in the flow regime from laminar to transition and turbulent.

The objective of this paper is then to recall how Po values are obtained from Poisson partial differential equation (PDE) and also to try to explain why these results could be very important in both Physics and Mathematics.

Theory of laminar flow in rectangular ducts

Considering cartesian coordinates (x,y,z) with origin at the centre of the duct of rectangular cross-section, the fully established laminar flow of a Newtonian liquid is described by the following well-known Poisson equation:

2vzx2+2vzy2=ΔPηL    (6)

Solutions of this PDE depend on the boundary conditions (Dirichlet problem) and the general case of rectangles with aspect ratio b/a can be solved by use of Saint-Venant method3 giving the velocity field: vz(x,y): 

vz(x,y)=16ΔPa2ηLπ3+n=1,3,5,(1)(n1)/2n3(1ch(nπ2ay)ch(nπ2ab) )cos(nπ2ax)    (7)

This equation allows components of wall shear-rate:

(vz(x,y)x)wand (vz(x,y)y)w  (8)

To be calculated and then components of wall shear stress τw(x) and τw(y) by use of the rheological equation of state:

τw()=η (vz(x,y)())w  (9)

The average wall shear stress can then be calculated using classical integral mean value:

ˉτw=1a+b(a0τw(x)dx+b0τw(y)dy)  (10)

We can also calculate from equation (7) the velocity mean value:

ˉv=1a b a0b0vz(x,y)dxdy  (11)

To finally obtain:

f2=ˉτwρˉv2=PoRe  (12)

Which is the analogous of relation (1) for the case of rectangular ducts. From knowledge of ˉτ and ˉv, we obtain:

Po=π4b28(a+b)2+n=1,3,5,1n4(12anπbth(nπb2a))  (13)

It is now interesting to evaluate this last result for different aspect ratios b/a.  The first elementary case is of course the square cross-section giving b=a.

Equation (13) reduces to:

Po=π432+n=1,3,5,1n4(12nπth(nπ2))  (14)

Considering now, the well-known mathematical result coming from Euler-Riemann zeta function knowledge:

+n=1,3,5,1n4=π496   (15)

We obtain:

Po=π4π4364π+n=1,3,5,1n5th(nπ2)  (16)

The series in equation (16) can easily be evaluated numerically giving:

+n=1,3,5,1n5th(nπ2)0.92167516  (17)

Finally, we obtain the Po value for a duct of square cross-section shape:

Po=π4π4364π 0.92167516=7.11353554  (18)

This purely theoretical result is in perfect agreement with experimental results obtained by many authors2 and of course with the value reported in Shah and London1 source book.

Let us now consider the other limit case described above i.e. the plane Poiseuille flow obtained for infinite parallel plates. As previously reported, this highly symmetric case gives a well-known value of Poiseuille number: Po=12.

If we consider ba in equation (13), we obtain:

Po=π48+n=1,3,5,1n4=π48 π496=12   (19)

Remarkably, this result is in perfect agreement with both experimental and theoretical results reported above. Moreover, it shows that Saint-Venant solution of Poisson PDE, established for elasticity theory,3 is of great importance for the study of laminar flow in rectangular ducts. Equation (13) established for aspect ratios b/a  varying in the range 1 (square) to + (infinite parallel plates) is then of major interest for all these geometrical shapes.

We know from experiments that for these shapes, we have 7.1135Po12 and this result is in perfect agreement with equation (13). We can then write the following theorem:

Theorem 1: For b/a[1;+[ we have, according to equation (12): 7.1135Po12.

This fundamental result clearly demonstrates that every value of Poiseuille number are possible between 7.1135… and 12. Particularly, it exists an aspect ratio b/a which gives Po=8  like in pipes i.e. for a circular cross-section shape. Numerical calculations performed with equation (13) gave:

ba=2.26930413446618   (20)

This result signifies that, in fluid mechanics, it exists a rectangle having the same property than a circle for mechanical energy dissipation through viscous friction and this rectangular duct has an aspect ratio b/a=2.2693  

Discussion on mathematical consequences

Of course, these results give equivalence between rectangular and circular geometries in terms of energy dissipation and we can write the following theorem:

Theorem 2: Considering energy dissipation by viscous friction during the fully established laminar flow of a Newtonian fluid, the equivalent geometry for a pipe of circular cross-section is a rectangular duct having an aspect ratio b/a=2.2693

This result could be extended to others geometries like triangles. We know that for an equilateral triangle, Po=20/3  and stretching of this triangle giving isosceles triangles increases Po values until it also reaches Po=12 for an infinite triangle comparable to infinite parallel plates.2 In that sense, there also exists a triangle for which Po=8 meaning a triangle equivalent to a circle. We can then propose the following conjecture:

Conjecture 1: For any compact convex shape, there exists a non-regular geometry giving Po=8 and then giving equivalence with circular geometry in terms of mechanical energy degradation by viscous friction.

If this conjecture was true, signification of Poiseuille number values could be very important in Physics and Mathematics. Considering well-known membrane deformation problem giving Poisson’s PDE, equation (6) is clearly its analogous for the laminar flow of a Newtonian liquid in a duct of arbitrary cross-section shape. The Saint-Venant solution given by equation (7) gives the velocity field shape which depends on the boundary conditions i.e. the shape of the duct cross-section perimeter. In the case of a pipe with circular cross-section, the high symmetry allows simple calculations and velocity field has a parabolic shape according to Poiseuille law. But for polygonal geometries like rectangles or triangles, shape is much more complicated. But, at the end, calculation of ˉτw  and ˉv allows a simple dimensionless equation of the same form (equation (12)) to be obtained and this equation involves Po numbers varying in the range 20/3 to 12.

Another consequence of the rectangular approach is the close relation between Po numbers and the Euler-Riemann zeta function. The problem of ζ(s) values for odd integer remains unsolved because at this time, we have no idea of a closed form for4 s=3, 5, 7,  Equation (13) gives interesting properties which could help approaching a closed form for ζ(5).

By considering well-known properties of hyperbolic tangent function th(x), this function reaches very rapidly asymptotic value of 1 whenreach sufficiently large values (greater than 10). We can then consider that for sufficiently high values of ratio b/a in equation (13), the quantity th(nπb/2a)=1 giving the following relationship for the sum over odd integers of 1/n5:  

+n=1, 3, 5,1n5=b192 a π5 b316 a (a+b)2 Po π5  (21)

Of course, b, a and Po values are linked together (for example you have Po=11 for b/a=14.84241923166) but equation (21) is surely an interesting result for understanding of ζ(5) behaviour even if the sum only concerns odd values of n.

Complex calculations in rectangular ducts also give others surprising and interesting results in numbers theory. For example, it is possible to calculate the wall shear stress along the side length a:

τw(x)=η (vzy)y=b=8ΔPaπ2L +n=1,3,5,1n2(1)n+1/2th(nπb2a)cos(nπx2a)  (22)

The maximum value of τw(x) is obtained for x=0, giving:

τmaxw=8ΔPaπ2L +n=1,3,5,1n2(1)n+1/2th(nπb2a)   s (23)

If we consider the limit case of infinite parallel plates giving ba: we obtain:

τmaxw=8ΔPaπ2L +n=1,3,5,1n2(1)n+1/2  (24)

The series can be written as followed:

+n=1,3,5,1n2(1)n+1/2=+n=0(1)n(2n+1)2=G   (25)

Where G is the well-known Catalan’s constant. Until now, we ignore if this number is irrational even if it is conjectured. What we obtained from equation (24) gives interesting information about this number. Moreover, if we calculate the mean value of wall shear-stress along the same side, we obtain:

ˉτw=1a a0τw(x)dx=16ΔPaπ3L +n=1,3,5,1n3(1)nth(nπb2a)  (26)

Considering now ba  gives:

ˉτw=16ΔPaπ3L +n=1,3,5,1n3(1)n=16ΔPaπ3L π332=ΔPa2L    (27)

Reporting this result in equation (24) gives:

τmaxwˉτ=16 Gπ21.484907491   (28)

This result clearly shows that Catalan’s constant is proportional to π2 which is an irrational number and then it could be considered as a proof of Catalan’s constant irrationality.
We can then write the following theorem:

Theorem 3: Catalan’s constant is proportional to π2 and then is an irrational number.
Finally, it is also possible to calculate the ratio  vmax/ˉv  of the maximum velocity at the centre of the rectangular duct and the average velocity. For maximum velocity, we obtain:

vmax=ΔPa22ηL16ΔPa2π3ηL +n=1,3,5,1n3(1)n1/2 1ch(nπb2a)   (29)

For mean velocity, we obtain from equation (11) and Fubini theorem:

ˉv=32ΔPa2π4ηL +n=1,3,5,1n4 (12anπb th(nπb2a))    (30)

Giving,

vmaxˉv=π464+n=1,3,5,1n4(12anπb th(nπb2a))π +n=1,3,5,1n3(1)n1/21ch(nπb2a)2 +n=1,3,5,1n4 (12anπb th(nπb2a))  (31)

It is then easy to consider the limit case of infinite parallel plates by taking ba:

vmaxˉv=π464 π496=9664=32  (32)

Remarkably, this last result is well-known in fluid mechanics for the case of infinite parallel plates. For pipes of circular cross-section, we have: vmax/ˉv=2.

Equation (31) allows this ratio to be calculated whatever is the rectangle aspect ratio b/a.

Conclusion

In this paper, we investigated the Poisson’s PDE describing the fully established laminar flow of a Newtonian fluid in a duct of rectangular cross-section. We used the Saint-Venant solution, established for torsion of prismatical bars to obtain the velocity field whatever is the rectangle aspect ratio b/a.

From this equation, we showed how Poiseuille number values can be calculated giving a simple theorem for evolution of  7.1135Po12 when b/a[1;+[.  This result allowed the rectangle, giving the same value than the circular cross-section, to be defined with an aspect ratio b/a=2.2693  

We tried to give some mathematical consequences of this approach. Among them, we conjecture that for any convex shape of non-circular cross-section, there always exists one having a Poiseuille number value equal to the circle value i.e. Po=8.

We also showed, from Poiseuille number equation for rectangular ducts, that Euler-Riemann zeta function ζ(s) for odd integer s=5, for summation over odd integers n=1,3,5,... can be calculated as proportional to π5.

From calculation of both, maximum wall shear stress, and average wall shear stress, we showed that famous Catalan’s constant G is proportional to π2 which could be a proof of its irrationality.

Finally, by integrating the velocity field, we found an expression for the ratio vmax/ˉv which gave, for the limit case of plane Poiseuille flow, a value of 3/2 in perfect agreement with fluid mechanics results.

Acknowledgements

None.

Conflict of interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Shah RK, London AL. Laminar flow forced convection in ducts. New York: Academic Press; 1978.
  2. Delplace F. Fluids flow stability in ducts of arbitrary cross-section. J Mod Appl Physics. 2018;2(2):10‒15.
  3. Timoshenko SP, Goodier JN. Theory of elasticity. 3rd Ed. New York: Mc Graw-Hill; 1970.
  4. Srivastava HM, Tsumura H. A certain class of rapidly convergent series representations for ζ(2n+1). J Comput Appl Math. 2000;118(1‒2):323‒335.
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