Flow consumption equation

To solve many practical aerohydrodynamics problems it is necessary to have the

continuity equation in the form, which would settle the connection between
velocity and the flow filament cross-sectional area. Such equation is the flow
consumption equation, representing the law of conservation of mass as well as
the continuity equation.
The flow consumption is the quantity of fluid running through actual flow crosssection or flow filament section per unit time. The flow consumption can be
measured in units of volume, weight or mass. Accordingly three types of the flow
consumption are distinguished: volumetric, weight and mass.
For elementary flow filament (fig. 2.6,) the velocity distribution is accepted to

dQ VdS
be considered as uniform then the volumetric flow consumption is

dG gVdS
the weight flow consumption

; and the mass flow consumption

dM VdS
.

For the finite size flow, where the

velocity within the actual cross-section
is variable (Fig. 2.6,b), expressions for
three types of flow consumption will
look like:

Q VdS
S

G gVdS
S

M VdS
S

As always, considering such cases the

concept of mean velocity shall be entered:

Vmean

b
Fig. 2.6. elementary flow
.

(2.27)

Let's receive the equation of flow consumption. The fluid mass running through
arbitrary surface

and limiting volume

(fig. 2.7) can be determined by the

 VdS 0
S

integral (2.15). For steady-state motion we also have the mass

, i.e.

mass flowing in volume

is equal to the mass flowing out. Let's apply the
obtained result to elementary flow filament.

m m1 mlat m 2 0
Starting from the said above

mlat 0
. Fluid mass

Vn 0
because

on lateral surface of the fluid tube (from property of streamline).

m1
Having written the values for

m2
and

1 V1 dS 2 V2 dS 0
S1

and it follows that

, we shall receive

S2

1 V1 S1 2 V2 S 2 const

(2.28)

Fig. 2.7. Explanation of development of flow consumption equation

for elementary flow filament
Expression (2.28) is called the flow consumption equation for elementary flow

const
filament of the compressible fluid. For incompressible fluid (

V1 S1 V2 S 2 const

) so

For the finite size channel (fig. 2.8), it is possible to write:

m m1 mlet m2 0 mlat 0
Vn 0
,
through cross-sections

11

(as
and

22

), then the flow consumption

will be equal to

(2.29)

1 V1 dS 2 V2 dS 0
S1

S2

Using concept of mean velocity (2.27), we shall receive

1V1m S1 2V2m S 2

(2.30)

Expression (2.30) represents the flow consumption equation for moving

compressible fluid within the finite size channel.
For incompressible fluid the flow consumption equation is

V1m S1 V2m S 2

(2.31)

Fig. 2.8. Explanation of the development of flow consumption equation

for the finite size channel
The flow consumption equation is widely used to solve the aerohydrodynamics
problems; it gives simple dependence between the velocity and flow filament
sectional area. The equation (2.29) shows, that for incompressible fluid when
fluid tube becomes narrower (thickening streamlines) velocity increases, and
with expanding fluid tube (streamlines divergence) velocity decreases.
In the event of compressible fluid volume-flow persistence may not have place.
Under certain conditions fluid flow consumption through two cross-sections of the
flow filament may differ due to density change between them, but thus the law
of mass conservation is not been broken.
According to flow consumption equations the fluid tubes should be closed or end
on fluid boundaries as at
exist in nature.

S 0

we get

; the infinite velocity does not