1

Transport Phenomena
CHME 611
PROF. BASIM ABU-JDAYIL
CHEMICAL & PETROLEUM ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
UAE UNIVERSITY

2
Introduction

Transport Phenomena is the subject which deals with the movement of different physical
quantities such as momentum, energy and mass in any chemical or mechanical process
and combines the basic principles (conservation laws) and laws of various types of
transport. Transport Phenomena can be classified into three types:
Momentum transport deals with the transport of momentum in fluids and is also
known as fluid dynamics. Solution of equation of motion provides information about
the velocity distribution in the system.
Energy transport deals with the transport of different forms of energy in a system
and is also commonly known as heat transfer. Solution of basic equation of thermal
energy provides the information about the temperature distribution in the system.

1
 3
Introduction

Mass transport deals with the transport of various chemical species in a system. The
solution of convective diffusion equation provides the information about the
concentration distribution in the system.

4
Introduction

Although all these fields are developed separately throughout the history of science and
technology, it is important to study these transport phenomena together due to following
Reasons:
1. These transport phenomena occur frequently and most of the time simultaneously in
industrial problems.
2. All type of transport phenomena can be explained by similar transport and conversion
laws. Physical properties which are used to describe transport laws like kinematic
viscosity, thermal diffusivity or mass diffusivity play similar role.
3. The mathematical requirements for solving problems related to transport phenomena
are more or less similar.

2
 5
Introduction

Transport phenomena occurring in any system can be studied at different levels.

We can study transport at macroscopic level where the transport equations are
developed by balancing of physical quantities as input and output streams in a control
volume which may provide a fair idea about overall performance of systems. But it
cannot provide information at local level.
Whereas, the transport phenomena at microscopic level, where the transport equations
are developed by balancing physical quantities for a small control volume and then
allowing the control volume to approach zero results in transport equations which are
valid at each point in the fluid. Theses equations may be solved by using appropriate
assumptions and boundary conditions. Microscopic level of study of system gives the
chance to study the systems in much more details and provides more accurate
description of the transport phenomena occurring in the system.

6
Introduction

Third level of study o f transport phenomena is at molecular level. Here, the transport
phenomena are described in terms of molecular structure and intermolecular forces.
Study of transport phenomena at this level may be important for theoretical physicist/
chemist because it links the basic characteristic of material or molecules of material to
transport properties like viscosity or thermal conductivity but it may not have as much
importance for a technologist who is working on actual engineering problems where it
may not be possible to integrate the simulations from molecular level to full system.

3
 7
Introduction

8
Introduction

This course basically deals with the second microscopic description of transport
phenomena. In chemical engineering the first, macroscopic, approach is normally take up
at first in a course commonly called fluid mechanics followed by a course in heat transfer
and later one or two courses in mass transfer.

4
 9
Introduction

There are also many connections between the three areas of momentum, energy, and
mass transport.
By learning how to solve problems in one area, one also learns the techniques for
solving problems in another area.
The similarities of the equations in the three areas mean that in many instances one
can solve a problem "by analogy"-that is, by taking over a solution directly from one
area and, then changing the symbols in the equations, write down the solution to a
problem in another area.

10
COURSE SYLLABUS

Textbook: R.B. Bird, W.E. Stewart and E.N. Lightfoot, Transport Phenomena, revised
2nd edition, John Wiley and Sons, 2007.

References:
1) W.M. Deen, Analysis of Transport Phenomena, Oxford University Press, 1998.
2) H. Schlichting, Boundary-Layer Theory, 7th edition, McGraw-Hill, Inc, reissued 1987.
3) M. Abramowitz and I.A. Stegun, Handbook of Mathematical Functions, Dover
Publications, Inc., NY, 1964.
4) F.B. Hildebrand, Advanced Calculus for Applications, 2nd edition, Prentice-Hall,
1976.

5
 11
COURSE SYLLABUS

12
COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Objectives:
This course will acquaint the student with important topics in advanced transport
phenomena (momentum, heat and mass transport). Topics include laminar and turbulent
flow, thermal conductivity and the energy equation, molecular mass transport and
diffusion with heterogeneous and homogeneous chemical reactions. Focus will be to
develop physical understanding of principles discussed and with emphasis on chemical
engineering applications. Analyzing, modeling, and solving chemical engineering
problems that are related to momentum, heat, and mass transports. Both Shell-Balance
Approach and Equations-of-Change Approach are covered. Analogy among the three
types of transports and similarity in the solution methods involved are emphasized.

6
 13
COURSE SYLLABUS

Course Outcomes:
1. An understanding of molecular transport of momentum (Newtons law of viscosity),
heat (Fouriers law), and mass (Ficks law).
2. Ability to set up and solve shell momentum, heat, and mass balances for one
dimensional steady state problems.
3. Ability to set up and solve differential momentum, heat, and mass balances for one
and multi-dimensional steady state problems.
4. Ability to set up and solve macroscopic momentum, heat, and mass balances for
steady and unsteady-state problems.
5. An intuitive appreciation of the differences in transport processes occurring in
laminar and turbulent flows

COURSE Week Session Content

Introduction to the course
14
Assignments and Exams

SYLLABUS
Week 1
Coordinate systems and time derivative.
Viscosity and the Mechanisms of Momentum Transport (Sec.
Week 2
1.1, 1.2 & 1.3)
Shell Momentum Balances and Velocity
Week 3
Distributions in Laminar Flow (Sec. 2.1, 2.2 & 2.3)
Shell Momentum Balances and Velocity
Week 4
Self-Reading: Distributions in Laminar Flow (Sec. 2.4 & 2.5)
The Equations of Change for Isothermal Systems (Sec. 3.1, 3.2,
Vector and Tensor Analysis Week 5 Yousef
3.3, 3.5)
The Equations of Change for Isothermal Systems (Sec. 3.6 &
Week 6 Mohammed
3.7)
Velocity Distributions with More than One Independent
Week 7
Variable (Sec. 4.1)
Velocity Distributions with More than One Independent
Week 8
Variable (Sec. 4.2 & 4.3)
Week 9 Mid-Term

Week 10 Non-Newtonian fluids (Sec. 8.1, 8.2 & 8.3)

Thermal Conductivity and the Mechanisms of Energy Transport
Week 11 (Sec. 9.1 & 9.2)
Shell Energy Balances (Sec. 10.1 & 10.2)
Week 12 Shell Energy Balances (Sec. 10.3, 10.4, 10.5, & 10.6) Laher

Week 13 Shell Energy Balances (Sec. 10.7, 10.8 & 10.9)

Introduction to mass transport (Sec. 17.1 & 17.2)
Week 14 Concentration Distributions in Solids and in Laminar Flow (Sec. Hana
18.1 & 18.2)
Concentration Distributions in Solids and in Laminar Flow (Sec.
Week 15
18.3, 18.4 & 18.5)
Week 16 Submission of Project

7
 15
COURSE SYLLABUS

Grade Distribution:

Final Exam 40%

Mid-Term Exam 20%
Research Project 25%
Presentation 15%

16
COURSE SYLLABUS