BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2C.

4 Page 1 of 9

Problem 2C.4
Falling-cylinder viscometer (see Fig. 2C.4).6 A falling-cylinder viscometer consists of a long
vertical cylindrical container (radius R) capped at both ends, with a solid cylindrical slug (radius
κR). The slug is equipped with fins so that its axis is coincident with that of the tube.
One can observe the rate of descent of the slug in the cylindrical container when the latter is
filled with fluid. Find an equation that gives the viscosity of the fluid in terms of the terminal
velocity v0 of the slug and the various geometrical quantities shown in the figure.

(a) Show that the velocity distribution in the annular slit is given by

vz (1 − ξ 2 ) − (1 + κ2 ) ln(1/ξ)
=− (2C.4-1)
v0 (1 − κ2 ) − (1 + κ2 ) ln(1/κ)

in which ξ = r/R is a dimensionless radial coordinate.

(b) Make a force balance on the cylindrical slug and obtain

(ρ0 − ρ)g(κR)2 1 − κ2
   
1
µ= ln − (2C.4-2)
2v0 κ 1 + κ2

in which ρ and ρ0 are the densities of the fluid and the slug, respectively.

(c) Show that, for small slit widths, the result in (b) may be expanded in powers of ε = 1 − κ to
give
(ρ0 − ρ)gR2 ε3
 
1 13 2
µ= 1 − ε − ε + ··· (2C.4-3)
6v0 2 20
See §C.2 for information on expansions in Taylor series.

Solution
6
J. Lohrenz, G. W. Swift, and F. Kurata, AIChE Journal, 6, 547-550 (1960) and 7, 6S (1961); E. Ashare, R. B.
Bird, and J. A. Lescarboura, AIChE Journal, 11, 910-916 (1965) F. J. Eichstadt and G. W. Swift, AIChE Journal,
12, 1179-1183 (1966); M. C. S. Chen, J. A. Lescarboura, AIChE Journal, 14, 123-127 (1968).

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2C.4 Page 2 of 9

Part (a)

For this problem we choose a cylindrical coordinate system with the origin at the bottom of the
slug’s center. We assume that as the slug falls, the fluid in the annular slit flows in the z-direction
and varies as a function of radius r.
vz = vz (r)
As a result, only φrz (the z-momentum in the positive r-direction) and φzz (the z-momentum in
the positive z-direction) contribute to the momentum balance. The pressure is assumed to vary
with height z.
p = p(z)

Figure 1: This is the shell over which the momentum balance is made for flow through an annular
slit.

Rate of z-momentum into the shell at z = 0: (2πr∆r)φzz |z=0

Rate of z-momentum out of the shell at z = H: (2πr∆r)φzz |z=H
Rate of z-momentum into the shell at r: (2πrH)φrz |r
Rate of z-momentum out of the shell at r + ∆r: [2π(r + ∆r)H]φrz |r+∆r
Component of gravitational force on the shell in z-direction: − (2πr∆rH)ρg

If we assume steady flow, then the momentum balance is

Rate of momentum in − Rate of momentum out + Force of gravity = 0.

Considering only the z-component, we have

(2πr∆r)φzz |z=0 − (2πr∆r)φzz |z=H + (2πrH)φrz |r − [2π(r + ∆r)H]φrz |r+∆r − (2πr∆rH)ρg = 0.

Factor the left side.

−2πr∆r( φzz |z=H − φzz |z=0 ) − 2πH[ (r + ∆r)φrz |r+∆r − rφrz |r ] − 2πr∆rHρg = 0

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2C.4 Page 3 of 9

Divide both sides by −2π∆rH.

φzz |z=H − φzz |z=0 (r + ∆r)φrz |r+∆r − rφrz |r

r + + ρgr = 0
H ∆r
Take the limit as ∆r → 0.
φzz |z=H − φzz |z=0 (r + ∆r)φrz |r+∆r − rφrz |r
r + lim + ρgr = 0
H ∆r→0 ∆r
The second term is the definition of the first derivative of rφrz .

φzz |z=H − φzz |z=0 d

r + (rφrz ) + ρgr = 0
H dr
Now substitute the expressions for φrz and φzz .

φrz = τrz + 
ρv
rv
 z = τrz
2
τzz
φzz = pδzz + HH + ρvz vz = p(z) + ρvz

Since vz does not depend on z, the ρvz2 terms cancel.

 
2 

2 
p|z=H + 
ρvz z=H − p|z=0 − ρv
z z=0 d
r + (rτrz ) + ρgr = 0
H dr
Make it so that ρgr is in the fraction.

p|z=H + ρgH − p|z=0 d

r + (rτrz ) = 0
H dr
Place ρg0 in the numerator.

p|z=H + ρgH − p|z=0 − ρg0 d

r + (rτrz ) = 0
H dr
The point of doing this is that now we can use the modified pressure Pz = p(z) + ρgz.

PH − P0 d
r + (rτrz ) = 0
H dr
So we have
d PH − P0
(rτrz ) = − r.
dr H
From Newton’s law of viscosity we know that τrz = −µ(dvz /dr), so

PH − P0
 
d dvz
−µr =− r.
dr dr H

The boundary conditions for this differential equation are obtained from assuming that no slip
occurs between the fluid and the walls of the slug and container. That is, at r = κR the fluid
travels with the slug (vz = −v0 ) and at r = R the fluid is stationary (vz = 0).

B.C. 1 : vz = −v0 , at r = κR
B.C. 2 : vz = 0, at r = R

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2C.4 Page 4 of 9

Integrate both sides of the differential equation with respect to r.

dvz PH − P0 2
−µr =− r + C1 .
dr 2H
Divide both sides by −µr.
dvz PH − P0 C1
= r−
dr 2µH µr
Integrate both sides of the differential equation with respect to r once more.
P H − P 0 2 C1
vz (r) = r − ln r + C2
4µH µ
Apply the boundary conditions here to determine C1 and C2 .
PH − P0 C1
vz (κR) = (κR)2 − ln(κR) + C2 = −v0
4µH µ
P H − P 0 2 C1
vz (R) = R − ln R + C2 = 0
4µH µ
Solving this system of equations, we get
(PH − P0 )R2
 
µ 2
C1 = (1 − κ ) − v0
ln(1/κ) 4µH
(PH − P0 )R2
 
2 ln R ln R
C2 = (1 − κ ) −1 − v0 .
4µH ln(1/κ) ln(1/κ)
So we have for the velocity distribution,

PH − P0 2 (PH − P0 )R2
 
ln r 2
vz (r) = r − (1 − κ ) − v0
4µH ln(1/κ) 4µH
(PH − P0 )R2
 
2 ln R ln R
+ (1 − κ ) −1 − v0 .
4µH ln(1/κ) ln(1/κ)
Factor the right side.
PH − P0 2 (PH − P0 )R2 1 − κ2 v0
vz (r) = (r − R2 ) + (ln R − ln r) + (ln r − ln R)
4µH 4µH ln(1/κ) ln(1/κ)
Thus,
(PH − P0 )R2  r 2 1 − κ2
 
R v0 R
vz (r) = −1+ ln − ln .
4µH R ln(1/κ) r ln(1/κ) r
Here we introduce the dimensionless radial coordinate ξ = r/R.
(PH − P0 )R2 2 1 − κ2
 
v0
vz (ξ) = ξ −1+ ln(1/ξ) − ln(1/ξ) (1)
4µH ln(1/κ) ln(1/κ)
Our aim now is to eliminate the coefficient of the square brackets because it’s not in the desired
answer. As the slug descends in the container, it displaces a certain volume of fluid per unit time.
That same volume per unit time must be what flows up the side of the slug in the annular slit.
The following relation can be written from this.
 
dV  dV 
=
dt displaced from bottom of slug dt up side of slug in annular slit

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2C.4 Page 5 of 9

The volumetric flow rate is velocity times area, so on the left side it’s just v0 · π(κR)2 . Since the
velocity varies radially in the slit, we will have to integrate the velocity over the area on the right
side.
ˆ
v0 · πκ2 R2 = vz dA
ˆ R
2 2
v0 · πκ R = vz (2πr dr)
κR
ˆ R
2 2
v0 · πκ R = 2π rvz dr
κR

ˆ
v0 κ2 R2 R
(PH − P0 )R2  r 2 1 − κ2
   
R v0 R
= r −1+ ln − ln dr
2 κR 4µH R ln(1/κ) r ln(1/κ) r
Make the substitution,
r
ξ= → Rξ = r
R
dr
dξ = → R dξ = dr,
R
to get
ˆ 1
v0 κ2 R2 (PH − P0 )R2 2 1 − κ2
   
v0
= (Rξ) ξ −1+ ln(1/ξ) − ln(1/ξ) (R dξ)
2 κ 4µH ln(1/κ) ln(1/κ)
2 ˆ 1 ˆ 1
v0 κ2 R2 2 (PH − P0 )R 1 − κ2
   
3 v0
=R ξ −ξ+ ξ ln(1/ξ) dξ − ξ ln(1/ξ) dξ
2 4µH κ ln(1/κ) ln(1/κ) κ
ˆ  ˆ 1
v0 κ2 (PH − P0 )R2 1 3 1 − κ2

v0
= ξ −ξ− ξ ln ξ dξ + ξ ln ξ dξ
2 4µH κ ln(1/κ) ln(1/κ) κ
Bring the last term on the right side over to the left.
ˆ 1 ˆ 
v0 κ2 (PH − P0 )R2 1 3 1 − κ2

v0
− ξ ln ξ dξ = ξ −ξ− ξ ln ξ dξ
2 ln(1/κ) κ 4µH κ ln(1/κ)
1 1
v0 κ2 P
 2
ξ2 2 ξ4 2 2
  2 2
v0 ξ  (PH − 0 )R ξ 1 − κ ξ ξ 
− − + ln ξ  = − − − + ln ξ 
2 ln(1/κ) 4 2 κ 4µH 4 2 ln(1/κ) 4 2 κ
2 (PH − P0 )R 2 2 4 2
 
v0 κ v0 1 κ κ 1−κ
− (−1 + κ2 −  2κ 2 
ln κ) = − + − − (−1 + κ2 − 2κ2 ln κ)
2 4 ln(1/κ) 4µH 4 2 4 4 ln(1/κ)
(PH − P0 )R 2 4 (1 − κ2 )2
 
v0 2 1 κ
(1 − κ ) = − + +
4 ln(1/κ) 4µH 4 4 4 ln(1/κ)
(PH − P0 )R 2 (1 − κ2 )2
 
v0 2 4
(1 − κ ) = κ −1+
ln(1/κ) 4µH ln(1/κ)
(PH − P0 )R 2 (κ2 − 1)2
 
v0 2 2 2
− (κ − 1) = (κ + 1)(κ − 1) +
ln(1/κ) 4µH ln(1/κ)
(PH − P0 )R 2 2
 
v0 κ −1
− = (κ2 + 1) +
ln(1/κ) 4µH ln(1/κ)
(PH − P0 )R (κ + 1) ln(1/κ) + κ2 − 1
2
 2 
v0
− =
ln(1/κ) 4µH ln(1/κ)

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2C.4 Page 6 of 9

Consequently,
(PH − P0 )R2 v0
=− 2 . (2)
4µH (κ + 1) ln(1/κ) + κ2 − 1
Substitute this result into equation (1).

1 − κ2
 
v0 2 v0
vz (ξ) = − ξ − 1 + ln(1/ξ) − ln(1/ξ)
(κ2 + 1) ln(1/κ) + κ2 − 1 ln(1/κ) ln(1/κ)

Divide both sides by v0 and factor the minus signs.

 
ξ 2 − 1 + 1−κ2 ln(1/ξ)
vz ln(1/κ) ln(1/ξ) 
= − 2 2
+
v0 (κ + 1) ln(1/κ) + (κ − 1) ln(1/κ)
 2
(ξ − 1) ln(1/κ) + (1 − κ2 ) ln(1/ξ) (κ2 + 1) ln(1/κ) ln(1/ξ) + (κ2 − 1) ln(1/ξ)

=− +
ln(1/κ)[(κ2 + 1) ln(1/κ) + (κ2 − 1)] ln(1/κ)[(κ2 + 1) ln(1/κ) + (κ2 − 1)]
 2 2)( ( (((
(ξ − 1) ln(1/κ) + ( (1(−( κ( ((
ln(1/ξ) + (κ2 + 1) ln(1/κ) ln(1/ξ) + ( 2−
(κ( (1)
(( ln(1/ξ)
=−
ln(1/κ)[(κ2 + 1) ln(1/κ) + (κ2 − 1)]
 2
XXX + (κ2 + 1)X

(ξ − 1)X ln(1/κ) ln(1/κ)
XXX ln(1/ξ)
=− XXX 2 + 1) ln(1/κ) + (κ2 − 1)]
ln(1/κ)[(κ
X

(1 − ξ 2 ) − (κ2 + 1) ln(1/ξ)
 
=− − 2
(κ + 1) ln(1/κ) + (κ2 − 1)
(1 − ξ 2 ) − (κ2 + 1) ln(1/ξ)
 
=−
−(κ2 + 1) ln(1/κ) − (κ2 − 1)

Therefore,
vz (1 − ξ 2 ) − (1 + κ2 ) ln(1/ξ)
=− ,
v0 (1 − κ2 ) − (1 + κ2 ) ln(1/κ)
where ξ = r/R.

Figure 2: This is a plot of the velocity distribution when κ = 0.4 and v0 = 2 for κ ≤ ξ ≤ 1.

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2C.4 Page 7 of 9

Part (b)

To determine the viscosity, the sum of the forces in the z-direction will be considered. There are
five forces that need to be taken into account in the free body diagram of the slug: (1) the
gravitational force, (2) the buoyant force, (3) the viscous force acting on the side from the flow of
fluid in the annulus, (4) the weight of the water (pressure) acting over the top of the slug’s
surface, and (5) the weight of the water (pressure) acting over the bottom of the slug’s surface.
The forces due to pressure are normal to the slug’s surface, and the viscous force is parallel to the
slug’s surface in the direction opposing the slug’s motion.

Figure 3: This is the free body diagram of the slug.

Gravitational force = Density of slug × Volume of slug × Acceleration = ρ0 × π(κR)2 H × g

Buoyant force = Density of fluid × Volume of slug × Acceleration = ρ × π(κR)2 H × g
Viscous force = Shearing stress × Surface area = ( −τrz |r=κR ) × 2πκRH
Force at bottom = Pressure at bottom × Surface area = P0 × π(κR)2
Force at top = Pressure at top × Surface area = PH × π(κR)2

The minus sign in the shearing stress is due to the fact that the fluid in the annulus is at a higher
radius acting on the slug’s surface, which has a lower radius. Use Newton’s law of viscosity,
τrz = −µ(dvz /dr), to evaluate it.

Viscous force = ( −τrz |r=κR ) × 2πκRH

 
dvz 
= − −µ × 2πκRH
dr r=κR

dvz 
= × 2πκRHµ
dr r=κR
v0 1 − κ2
=− × 2πκRHµ
κR 1 − κ2 − (1 + κ2 ) ln(1/κ)
1 − κ2
=− × 2πHµv0
1 − κ2 − (1 + κ2 ) ln(1/κ)

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2C.4 Page 8 of 9

Because the slug is falling at terminal velocity, the acceleration is zero, so the sum of the forces in
the z-direction is equal to 0. X
Fz = maz = 0
Plug in the forces on the left side. The positive z-direction is chosen to be upward, so forces
pointing up are positive and those pointing down are negative.

1 − κ2
− ρ0 π(κR)2 Hg + ρπ(κR)2 Hg − × 2πHµv0
1 − κ2 − (1 + κ2 ) ln(1/κ)
+ P0 × π(κR)2 − PH × π(κR)2 = 0

Divide both sides by π(κR)2 H.

1 − κ2 2µv0 P0 − PH
(ρ − ρ0 )g − 2 2
× 2 2+ =0
1 − κ − (1 + κ ) ln(1/κ) κ R H
Solve equation (2) for (P0 − PH )/H and substitute the expression here.
1 − κ2 2µv0 v0 4µ
(ρ − ρ0 )g − × + × =0
1− κ2 − (1 + κ2 ) ln(1/κ) κ2 R2 (κ2 + 1) ln(1/κ) + κ2 − 1 R2
All that’s left to do is to solve for µ.
2µv0 (1 − κ2 ) 4µv0 κ2
κ2 R2 (ρ − ρ0 )g − − =0
1 − κ2 − (1 + κ2 ) ln(1/κ) 1 − κ2 − (1 + κ2 ) ln(1/κ)
2µv0 (1 + κ2 )
κ2 R2 (ρ − ρ0 )g − =0
1 − κ2 − (1 + κ2 ) ln(1/κ)
κ2 R2 (ρ − ρ0 )g(1 − κ2 ) − κ2 R2 (ρ − ρ0 )g(1 + κ2 ) ln(1/κ) − 2µv0 (1 + κ2 ) = 0
κ2 R2 (ρ − ρ0 )g[(1 − κ2 ) − (1 + κ2 ) ln(1/κ)] = 2µv0 (1 + κ2 )
κ2 R2 (ρ − ρ0 )g (1 − κ2 )
 
− ln(1/κ) =µ
2v0 1 + κ2
Therefore,
(ρ0 − ρ)g(κR)2 1 − κ2
   
1
µ= ln − .
2v0 κ 1 + κ2
Part (c)

For small slit widths, κ is just barely less than one: κ = 1 − ε, where 0 < ε  1. Substitute this
into the result of part (b).
(ρ0 − ρ)g(κR)2 1 − κ2
   
1
µ= ln −
2v0 κ 1 + κ2
(ρ0 − ρ)g(1 − ε)2 R2 1 − (1 − ε)2
 
1
= ln −
2v0 1 − ε 1 + (1 − ε)2
(ρ0 − ρ)gR2 2ε − ε2
 
2
= (1 − ε) − ln(1 − ε) −
2v0 2 − 2ε + ε2
The Taylor series expansion for ln(1 − ε) is
1 1 1 1
ln(1 − ε) = −ε − ε2 − ε3 − ε4 − ε5 − · · · .
2 3 4 5

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 2 - Problem 2C.4 Page 9 of 9

Plug this in to the formula for µ.

(ρ0 − ρ)gR2 2ε − ε2
   
2 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5
µ= (1 − ε) − −ε − ε − ε − ε − ε − · · · −
2v0 2 3 4 5 2 − 2ε + ε2
2 2ε − ε2
 
(ρ0 − ρ)gR 2 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5
= (1 − 2ε + ε ) ε + ε + ε + ε + ε + · · · −
2v0 2 3 4 5 2 − 2ε + ε2
(ρ0 − ρ)gR2 2ε − ε2
  
1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 2 2
= ε + ε + ε + ε + ε + · · · (1 − 2ε + ε ) − (1 − 2ε + ε )
2v0 2 3 4 5 2 − 2ε + ε2
Use long division to obtain a series for the quotient.
1 1 1
ε + ε2 − ε4 − ε5 + · · ·
2 4 4
2 − 2ε + ε2 2 3


2ε − ε + 0ε
(−) 2ε − 2ε2 + ε3
ε2 − ε3
1
(−) ε2 − ε3 + ε4
2
− 12 ε4
1 1 1
(−) − ε4 + ε 5 − ε6
2 2 4
1 5 1 6
−2ε + 4ε

Having terms up to ε5 will suffice.

(ρ0 − ρ)gR2
 
1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5
µ= ε + ε + ε + ε + ε + · · · (1 − 2ε + ε2 )
2v0 2 3 4 5
  
1 2 1 4 1 5 2
− ε + ε − ε − ε + · · · (1 − 2ε + ε ) .
2 4 4
Multiply the series together.

(ρ0 − ρ)gR2
        
2 1 3 1 4 1 2 1 5 1 1 1
= ε + ε −2 + +ε 1−1+ +ε − + +ε − + + ···
2v0 2 3 2 3 4 3 2 5
     
2 1 3 4 1 1 5 1 1
−ε − ε −2 + − ε (1 − 1) − ε − −ε −
2 2 4 2 4
(ρ0 − ρ)gR2 1 3
 
1 1 1 1
= ε + ε4 + ε5 − ε4 − ε5 + · · ·
2v0 3 12 30 4 4
Combine like-terms.
(ρ0 − ρ)gR2 1 3 1 4 13 5
 
= ε − ε − ε + ···
2v0 3 6 60

Factor ε3 /3 to obtain the final result. Therefore,

(ρ0 − ρ)gR2 ε3
 
1 13
µ= 1 − ε − ε2 + · · · .
6v0 2 20

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