Computational Analysis of Developing Laminar Flow in a Pipe

Abstract

A robust computational study is proposed for calculating the velocity and pressure distribution of steady, incompressible and developing laminar flow in a pipe. The study of fluid flow in the entrance region is very useful for many practical applications. Vorticity stream-function approach was used for this computational study. Poisson and vorticity-transport equations were used to find the velocity distribution in pipe. Dimensional equations are converted into dimensionless form, in order to insureflexibility of this work on pipe dimension and fluid properties. Finite volume method and upwind scheme used to solve the dimensionless form of Poisson and vorticity-transport equation.Computer program (C language) was written to solve the dimensionless form of equations to calculate the velocity distribution and pressure distribution. In the developing region velocity profile and pressure drop were studied. The computed results were compared with Hagen-Poiseuille equation and to studied effect of Reynolds number on pressure drop.