“Transport phenomena” is the accepted name for the mathematical description of the fundamental phenomena of momentum, energy, and mass transport. This acceptance has developed over some 35 years and was initiated in 1960 by the classic book by Bird, Stewart, and Lightfoot, Transport Phenomena (Wiley). Concurrently, the digital Computer has evolved as an essential element in the analysis of chemical engineering Systems. Yet, rather surprisingly, these two fundamental developments have not come together in a book that presents the computer-based analysis of transport phenomena.

This book is intended to fill the need for an introductory presentation of computational transport phenomena. It is not intended as a replacement for any existing books in transport phenomena, rather, as a Supplement to these books. Thus each chapter has the following characteristics: (a) a detailed, worked example, including discussion of the problem System equations; (b) a brief introduction to the numerical methods used to analyze the problem System; (c) a Computer code for the solution of the problem System equations (focusing primarily on the routines specific to the problem, with some discussion of the library routines also required to make up a complete code); (d) discussion of the numerical solution, with emphasis on physical interpretation and the analysis of errors; and (e) when appropriate, a comparison of the numerical solution with an analytical solution, or a discussion of how the numerical solution goes beyond what can be done analytically, especially for nonlinear problems.

Each chapter was developed originally during our teaching of a graduate course in transport phenomena. Since each chapter is self-contained, the chapters can be selected in essentially any order and number; we have on occasion used only one chapter during courses in momentum, heat, and mass transfer, applied mathematics, and numerical analysis to illustrate the Utility and some of the basic features of the Computer analysis of transport problems. Chapter 5 gives the most complete, selfcontained discussion of the numerical Integration of partial differential equations applied to problems in transport phenomena; this chapter is therefore recommended to the reader who is interested in an introduction to the numerical solution of transport problems.

Introduction and Overview

As indicated in the Preface, the main objectives of this book are to provide the reader, in a unifying way, with classical material in fluid mechanics and convection heat transfer and to introduce him or her to basic techniques for modeling engineering fluid dynamics systems. Thus, studying the book in a formal graduate course setting may enhance the student's physical understanding, increase problem-solving skills, and build up confidence to solve other thermal flow problems not discussed in this text. The approach and objectives of problem-solving steps, or in more complex cases “model development” in the engineering sciences, are summarized in Fig. 1.1. This sequence will be highlighted throughout.

The material in Chapters 1 and 2 together with Appendices A and B may equalize readers' different entry levels in fluid dynamics, systems analysis, and engineering mathematics. Specifically, in Section 1.2.1, the two fundamental flow field descriptions (i.e., Lagrange vs. Euler) are reviewed; Sections 1.2.2–1.2.4 discuss the kinematics of shear flow (i.e., fluid element translation, rotation, and deformation), thermodynamic properties (e.g., pressure, temperature, density, and entropy), and transport properties (e.g., viscosity, conductivity, and diffusivity). Some basics of particle dynamics are extended to fluid particle dynamics in Section 1.3. Differential operators and cartesian tensor applications, useful for Sections 1.2.2 and 1.3 as well as for Chapter 2 are summarized in Appendix A. Fluid flow systems under consideration in Chapters 1–5 are restricted to single-phase flow, continuum mechanics, deterministic processes, and Eulerian flow descriptions (cf. Sect. 1.4).

Engineering fluid dynamics is considered (here) to be synonymous with fluid mechanics and convection heat transfer with engineering applications. The textbook is written for intermediate to advanced readers: for professionals as well as selected seniors and first-year graduate students in mechanical, biomedical, nuclear, and chemical engineering.

The main objective of the textbook is to provide the reader with sufficient background to enable him/her

1. (i) to bridge fluid mechanics and convection heat transfer material on an introductory graduate level with specialized advancements in hydrodynamic instability, turbulence, multiphase flows, or computational fluid dynamics; and

2. (ii) to tackle basic research projects in fluid mechanics and convection-heat-transfer related fields.

Although the text contains the basic engineering concepts, physical explanations, exercises, and mathematical aids necessary to succeed, it is the experience students will gain with the homework assignments, in-class discussions, journal article reviews, and course project reports that will move them to a deeper understanding and a higher level of proficiency. Specifically, the in-depth understanding of (the) basics in fluid mechanics/convection heat transfer and the skills to apply fundamental knowledge to the solution of interdisciplinary fluid dynamics problems are more valuable than presentation of large amounts of material within, typically, a very restricted time frame. Thus, in addition to the potentially unique learning experience provided with the text, the advanced student is given powerful tools, including computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software (cf. App. F), which may lead him/her to a level of maturity to solve challenging (industrial) fluid flow and heat transfer problems.