Chapter 5

Dimensional Analysis
5_001

A gas having a molecular weight of 86 is flowing at a rate of 1.38 kg/min through a tube having an actual i.d.
of 1.20 in. At a cross section where the absolute pressure is 330 atm and the temperature is 340 F, the true
-6
density is 1.2 times that predicted by the perfect-gas law, and the viscosity is 2.0 x 10 force-pound x
seconds per square foot. Calculate the numerical value of the dimensionless Reynolds number.
Solution:
Reynolds number:
NRe = DG/
F = 2.0 x 10-6 Force-pound x seconds per square foot
= Fgc
= (2.0 x 10-6)(32.2)
= 6.44 x 10-5 lb matter / sec-ft
D = 1.2 in = 0.1 ft
2
G = 4w/D
w = 1.38 kg/min = 0.050715 lb/sec
2
G = 4(0.050715)/[(0.1) ] = 6.457234
NRe = (0.1)(6.457234)/6.44 x 10-5
NRe = 10,027 . . . Ans.

5_002

It is desired to investigate the drag force on geometrically similar solid objects placed in a free stream of
flowing fluid. In the general case, the force F exerted on the body is thought to depend on the characteristic
length of the object x, the approach velocity V, the acceleration due to gravity g, and the following properties
of the fluid: the density , the viscosity , the surface tension , and the velocity Va at which sound waves
are propagated in the liquid.
a.
What is the number n of algebraically independent dimensionless groups which may be used to
correlate the variables?
b.
Determine a set of these n dimensionless groups, using the force F in only one group.
c.
Calculate the numerical value of each of these groups except the one in which the force F appers,
for the condition in which x = 7 inches, g = 32.2 ft/(sec)(sec), V = 11 ft/sec, and the fluid is water at 68 F
(assume Va = 4900 ft/sec).
Solution:
Variables F, x, V, g, , , , Va
Then:
(F, x, V, g, , , , Va ) = 0

Dimension of Factors: MLF

Dimensions

Factors
g Va
M
1 1
L
1 1 1 -3 1 -1 1
-1 -2
-1
-1

F
1
1
nf = no. of physical factors of importance
nf = 8
ni = nd = number of dimension
ni = 4
F

a.

Page 1 of 12

Chapter 5
Dimensional Analysis

n = no. of independent dimensionless group

n = nf - ni = 8 - 4 = 4
Incompatible factors
x(= L ), = M 3 , = 1 , & = M
T
L
L

b.

) (

L=x
M = L3 = x 3
M x 3 x 2
=
=
L x

F=F
=

Remaining factors:
V, g, , Va

V=

L
x
= 2
x

xV
; 1 =
x

g=

L
2

; 2 =

2
2x3
x 2

F F
x
= = ; 3 =
L x
F
xV
L
x

Va = = 2 = ; 4 = a
x
x

c.

1 =
2 =

2x3g
2

Values:
x = 7 inches = 0.583333 ft
g = 32.2 ft/(sec)(sec)
V = 11 ft/sec
Va = 4900 ft/sec
at 68 F
= 62.282 lb/cu ft
= 6.75 x 10-4 lb/(sec)(ft)
2
2
= 72.7 Dynes/cm = 0.67534 N/ft
xV (0.583333)(11)(62.282)
=
= 592,063

6.75 10 4
2x3g

(62.282)2 (0.583333)3 (32.2) = 36,730

2
6.75 10 4
xV (0.583333)(4900)(62.282)
4 = a =
= 263,737

6.75 10 4
5_003

Below are some data from an early article on the performance of a packed regenerator. In heating runs, the
packed spheres were initially at an elevated uniform temperature, and air at room temperature entered at
constant mass rate. In cooling runs, the spheres were initially at room temperature, and air at approximately

Page 2 of 12

Chapter 5
Dimensional Analysis
200 F entered at constant mass rate. In the data given below the relation between the temperature of
entering air (t1), the temperature of exit air (t2), and initial uniform temperature (t0) of the bed of spheres is
given by the dimensionless term y = (t2 - t0)/(t1 - t0). The heat capacity of the vertical cylindrical column was
small compared with that of the spheres used for packing, and the column was well insulated.
Correlate all the values of y given below, plotted as ordinates against some suitable abscissa:

Material
Bed depth, inches .....
Bed diam, in ..............
Particle diam, in .........
Sp ht ..........................
Sp gr .........................
k, Btu/(hr)(ft)(deg F) ..
Air superficial mass
vel., lb/(sec)(sq ft) .....
y

Steel
5.125
4
0.125
0.111
7.83
26
0.15
,
sec
300
360
380
410
450
480
510
570
650

0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9

Steel
10.25
8
0.25
0.111
7.83
26
0.15
,
sec
600
680
740
810
890
970
1050
1140
1300

Steel
5.125
4
0.125
0.111
7.83
26

Steel
2.56
2
0.0625
0.111
7.83
26

0.3
,
sec
140
160
190
205
220
240
250
300
330

Lead
9.55
8
0.233
0.0347
11.34
19.5

0.3
,
sec
...
...
...
100
...
...
...
140
170

0.3
,
sec
113
133
147
162
176
191
206
222
248

The quantity is the elapsed time at which the indicated y was measured.
Solution:
L - ft
Dt - ft
Dp - ft
cp - Btu/lb-ft
- lb/cu ft
k - Btu/sec-fr-deg F
Go - lb/sec-sq ft
- time, sec
MLTFH System:

y = L, D t , D p , c p , , k, G o , q, K H

y = LaD t bD p c c p e f k iG o m nK H p
e

H M
1 = (L )a (L )b (L )c

MT L3

Page 3 of 12

i
m
2
H M
n ML

2 ( ) 2
LT L
H

Glass
9.71
8
0.237
0.168
2.6
0.4
0.3
,
sec
127
149
166
182
199
215
232
250
280

Chapter 5
Dimensional Analysis
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

L:
L:
M:
T:
:

(4)
(5)

i = -e
e+i-p=0
e-e-p=0
p=0
-e + f + m + p = 0
-e + m + n = 0
e=m-n

(3)

a + b + c - 3f - i - 2m + 2p = 0
e+i-p=0
-e + f + m + p = 0
-e - i = 0
-i - m + n - 2p = 0

Equating:
e=f+m=m-n
a + b + c - 3f - i - 2m + 2p = 0
a + b + c - 3f + e -2m = 0
a + b + c - 3f + e - 2(e - f) = 0
a + b + c - 3f + e - 2e + 2f = 0
a + b + c -f -e = 0

(1)

a+b+c=f+e
f = a + b + c -e
Then:
p=0
a=a
b=b
c=c
e=e
f = a + b + c -e
i = -e
m = e -f = 2e - a - b -c
n = -f = e - a - b -c
Then:
y = LaD t bD p c c p e a +b + c e k e G o 2e a b c e a b c

y =

Go
Note:
N Sl,L

Dt

G
o

Dp

G
o

c pGo 2

rk

Strouhal Numbers:
L
=
Go

NSl,Dt =
NSl,Dp =

Dt
Go
Dp
Go

Ratio of Peclet Number to Strouhal Number:

Page 4 of 12

Chapter 5
Dimensional Analysis
2
NPe c p G o
=
NSl
k

Steel # 1:
L = 5.125 in = 0.4271 ft
Dt = 4 in = 0.3333 ft
Dp = 0.125 in = 0.01042 ft
cp = 0.111 Btu/lb-F
= 7.83 x 62.4 = 488.6 lb/cu ft
-3
k = 26 Btu/hr-ft-deg F = 7.2222 x 10 Btu/sec-ft-deg F
Go = 0.15 lb/sec-sq ft
N Sl,L =

(0.4271)(488.6) = 1391.2
L
=
Go
0.15

N Sl,D t =
N Sl,Dp =

D t (0.3333)(488.6) 1085.7
=
=
Go
0.15

Dp
Go

(0.01042)(488.6) = 33.9414
0.15

NPe c p G o
(0.111)(0.15)2 = 7.07754 10 4
=
=
NSl
k
(488.6) 7.2222 10 3

Table No. 1
NSl,L = X1

NSl,D t = X2
N Sl,Dp = X3
NPe
= X4
NSl
y
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9

300
360
380
410
450
480
510
570
650

X1
4.637333
3.864444
3.661053
3.393171
3.091556
2.898333
2.727843
2.440702
2.140308

X2
3.619000
3.015833
2.857105
2.648049
2.412667
2.261875
2.128824
1.904737
1.670308

Steel # 2:
L = 10.25 in = 0.8542 ft
Dt = 8 in = 0.6667 ft
Dp = 0.25 in = 0.02083 ft
cp = 0.111 Btu/lb-F
= 7.83 x 62.4 = 488.6 lb/cu ft
-3
k = 26 Btu/hr-ft-deg F = 7.2222 x 10 Btu/sec-ft-deg F

Page 5 of 12

X3
0.113138
0.094282
0.089319
0.082784
0.075425
0.070711
0.066552
0.059546
0.052218

X4
0.212326
0.254791
0.268947
0.290179
0.318489
0.339722
0.360955
0.403420
0.460040

Chapter 5
Dimensional Analysis
Go = 0.15 lb/sec-sq ft
N Sl,L =

(0.8542)(488.6) = 2782.4
L
=
Go
0.15

NSl,Dt =
N Sl,Dp =

D t (0.6667)(488.6) 2171.7
=
=
Go
0.15

Dp
Go

(0.02083)(488.6) = 67.8503
0.15

2
NPe c p G o
(0.111)(0.15)2 = 7.07754 10 4
=
=
NSl
k
(488.6) 7.2222 10 3

Table No. 1
NSl,L = X1
NSl,D t = X2
N Sl,Dp = X3
NPe
= X4
NSl
y
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9

600
680
740
810
890
970
1050
1140
1300

X1
4.637333
4.091765
3.760000
3.435062
3.126292
2.868454
2.649905
2.440702
2.140308

X2
3.619500
3.193676
2.934730
2.681111
2.440112
2.238866
2.068286
1.905000
1.670538

Steel # 3:
L = 5.125 in = 0.4271 ft
Dt = 4 in = 0.3333 ft
Dp = 0.125 in = 0.01042 ft
cp = 0.111 Btu/lb-F
= 7.83 x 62.4 = 488.6 lb/cu ft
-3
k = 26 Btu/hr-ft-deg F = 7.2222 x 10 Btu/sec-ft-deg F
Go = 0.30 lb/sec-sq ft
N Sl,L =

(0.4217)(488.6) = 695.6
L
=
Go
0.30

N Sl,Dt =
NSl,Dp =

D t (0.3333)(488.6) 542.8
=
=
Go
0.30

Dp
Go

(0.01042)(488.6) = 16.97
0.30

2
NPe c p G o
(0.111)(0.30)2 = 2.83102 10 3
=
=
NSl
k
(488.6) 7.2222 10 3

Page 6 of 12

X3
0.113084
0.099780
0.091690
0.083766
0.076236
0.069949
0.064619
0.059518
0.052193

X4
0.424652
0.481273
0.523738
0.573281
0.629901
0.686521
0.743142
0.806840
0.920080

Chapter 5
Dimensional Analysis

Table No. 1
NSl,L = X1
NSl,D t = X2
N Sl,Dp = X3
NPe
= X4
NSl
y
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9

140
160
190
205
220
240
250
300
330

X1
4.968571
4.347500
3.661053
3.393171
3.161818
2.898333
2.782400
2.318667
2.107879

X2
3.877143
3.392500
2.856842
2.647805
2.467273
2.261667
2.171200
1.809333
1.644848

X3
0.121214
0.106063
0.089316
0.082780
0.077136
0.070708
0.067880
0.056567
0.051424

X4
0.396343
0.452963
0.537894
0.580359
0.622824
0.679445
0.707755
0.849306
0.934237

X3
0.084850
0.060607
0.049912

X4
0.283102
0.396343
0.481273

Steel # 4:
L = 2.56 in = 0.2134 ft
Dt = 2 in = 0.1667 ft
Dp = 0.0625 in = 0.00521 ft
cp = 0.111 Btu/lb-F
= 7.83 x 62.4 = 488.6 lb/cu ft
-3
k = 26 Btu/hr-ft-deg F = 7.2222 x 10 Btu/sec-ft-deg F
Go = 0.30 lb/sec-sq ft
N Sl,L =

(0.2134 )(488.6) = 347.6

L
=
Go
0.30

N Sl,Dt =
NSl,Dp =

D t (0.1667)(488.6) 271.5
=
=
Go
0.30

Dp
Go

(0.00521)(488.6) = 8.485
0.30

2
NPe c p G o
(0.111)(0.30)2 = 2.83102 10 3
=
=
NSl
k
(488.6) 7.2222 10 3

Table No. 1
NSl,L = X1
NSl,D t = X2
N Sl,Dp = X3
NPe
= X4
NSl
y
0.4
0.8
0.9

Page 7 of 12

100
140
170

X1
3.476000
2.482857
2.044706

X2
2.715000
1.939286
1.597059

Chapter 5
Dimensional Analysis

Lead:
L = 9.55 in = 0.7958 ft
Dt = 8 in = 0.6667 ft
Dp = 0.233 in = 0.01942 ft
cp = 0.0347 Btu/lb-F
= 11.34 x 62.4 = 707.6 lb/cu ft
-3
k = 19.5 Btu/hr-ft-deg F = 5.4167 x 10 Btu/sec-ft-deg F
Go = 0.30 lb/sec-sq ft
N Sl,L =

(0.7958)(707.6) = 1877
L
=
Go
0.30

N Sl,Dt =
NSl,Dp =

D t (0.6667)(707.6) 1572.5
=
=
Go
0.30

Dp
Go

(0.01942)(707.6) = 45.81
0.30

2
NPe c p G o
(0.0347)(0.30)2 = 8.14797 10 4
=
=
NSl
k
(707.6) 5.4167 10 3

Table No. 1
NSl,L = X1
NSl,D t = X2
N Sl,Dp = X3
NPe
= X4
NSl
y
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9

113
133
147
162
176
191
206
222
248

X1
16.610619
14.112782
12.768707
11.586420
10.664773
9.827225
9.111650
8.454955
7.568548

X2
13.915929
11.823308
10.697279
9.706790
8.934659
8.232984
7.633495
7.083333
6.340726

L = 9.71 in = 0.8092 ft
Dt = 8 in = 0.6667 ft
Dp = 0.237 in = 0.01975 ft
cp = 0.168 Btu/lb-F
= 2.60 x 62.4 = 162.24 lb/cu ft
-4
k = 0.4 Btu/hr-ft-deg F = 1.1111 x 10 Btu/sec-ft-deg F
Go = 0.30 lb/sec-sq ft
N Sl,L =

Page 8 of 12

(0.8092)(162.24) = 437.6
L
=
Go
0.30

X3
0.405398
0.344436
0.311633
0.282778
0.260284
0.239843
0.222379
0.206351
0.184718

X4
0.092072
0.108368
0.119775
0.131997
0.143404
0.155626
0.167848
0.180885
0.202070

Glass:

Chapter 5
Dimensional Analysis
N Sl,Dt =
N Sl,Dp =

D t (0.6667)(162.24 ) 360.6
=
=
Go
0.30

Dp
Go

(0.01975)(162.24 ) = 10.68
0.30

2
NPe c p G o
(0.168)(0.30)2 = 0.838766
=
=
NSl
k
(162.24) 1.1111 10 4

Table No. 1
NSl,L = X1
NSl,D t = X2
N Sl,Dp = X3
NPe
= X4
NSl
y
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9

X1
3.445669
2.936913
2.636145
2.404396
2.198995
2.035349
1.886207
1.750400
1.562857

127
149
166
182
199
215
232
250
280

X2
2.839370
2.420134
2.172289
1.981319
1.812060
1.677209
1.554310
1.442400
1.287857

X3
0.084094
0.071678
0.064337
0.058681
0.053668
0.049674
0.046034
0.042720
0.038143

X4
106.523282
124.976134
139.235156
152.655412
166.914434
180.334690
194.593712
209.691500
234.854480

By curve fitting:
L

y =

Go

Dt

G
o

Dp

G
o

c pGo 2

rk

= 0.003593
a = -29.130232
b = 30.947910
c = -3.944493
e = -0.394509
Therefore:

5_004

-0.394509

c pGo 2

rk

Two metals, A and B, are being considered for use in constructing tuning forks which are to produce
vibrations of a given frequency. What would be the ratio of the costs of the metal required for the two tuning
forks, expressed as a function of the frequency, the physical properties of the metals, and the cost per unit
mass of each metal (assumed independent of the quantity purchased)? The tuning forks are to be
geometrically similar.

y = 0.003593

Go

Solution:

Page 9 of 12

-29.130232

Dt

G
o

30.947910

Dp

G
o

-3.944493

Chapter 5
Dimensional Analysis

Let

R = ratio of the cost of the metals.

f = frequency, Hz
U1, U2 = cost per unit mass.

Other properties:
1, 2 = densities of material
V1, V2 = sound velocities
R = (f, 1 , 2 , V1 , V2 , U1 , U 2 )
R = f a 1b 2 c V1d V2 eU1gU 2 h
b

1 M M L L 1 1
1= 3 3
L L M M

(1) : -a - d - e = 0
(2) M: b + c - g - h = 0
(3) L: -3b - 3c + d + e = 0
(1)
(2)
(3)

d + e = -a
-3b - 3c - a =
b + c = -a / 3
b+c-g-h=0
g + h = -a / 3

Then:
1

R = f a 1b 2 3 a b V1d V2 a dU1gU 2 3 a g

f
R = 1
r 3 V U 31
2 2 2

1

2

f3
R =
r V 3U
2 2 2
Therefore:

3 1

2

f 3
R =
3
r2 V2 U 2

Page 10 of 12

V1

V2

V1

V2

U1

U2

U1

U2

1 V1 U1
, , ,
2 V2 U 2

Chapter 5
Dimensional Analysis
5_005

It is agreed to assume that the thermal conductivities of gases and vapors depend on the following factors:
cp, specific heat at constant pressure; cv, specific heat at constant volume; , viscosity; T, absolute
temperature; = /(p)T, coefficient of compressibility; b = /(T)p, coefficient of thermal expansion.
List all conclusions which may be drawn from dimensional consideration. If one additional physical variable
were to be included, what should it be?

Solution:
units
cp - Btu/lb-R
cv - Btu/lb-R
- sq ft / lb
- 1/R
additional variable is the viscosity
m - Btu/sec-ft-R
MLTF system
k = c p , c v , , , ,K H

k = 1c p a c v b c de K H f
a

H
H H
=

LT MT MT
(1)
(2)

H:
:

(3)
(4)

L:
T:

(5)

M:

L2 1 d M e ML2

M T L H

a+b-f=1
-e - f = -1
e+f=1
2c - e + 2f = -1
-a - b - d = -1
a+b+d=1
-a - b - c + e + f = 0

(1) and (4)

-f = d
f = -d
(5)
-a - b - c + e + f = 0
a+b+c-e-f=0
a + b + c -1 = 0
a+b+c=1
(2)
e=1-f
e=1+d
e=1+c
but c = 1 - a - b
Then:
a=a
b=b
c=1-a-b
d=1-a-b
e=1+ c=2-a-b
f = a + b -1

Page 11 of 12

Chapter 5
Dimensional Analysis

k = 1c p a c v b 1- a-b 1- a-b 2- a-bK H a +b-1

c pK H

k = 1

c vK H

KH
2

KH = Jgc = (778)(32.2) = 25,000 (lb matter)(ft) / (Btu)(sec)

Final results.

c pK H

k =

K H

c v K H
,

- end -

Page 12 of 12