Flow of a Radiating Gas Induced by Buoyant Force in Radiation Layer

Abstract

This paper deals theoretically with a flow of a grey radiating gas induced by buoyant force in a semi-infinite space bounded by a flat plate, which is parallel to the direction of the gravity, An external beam radiation is imposed normally through the transparent plate. The gas is assumed to be viscous, non-heat conducting and to have constant physical properties. The radiation field is assumed to be in local thermodynamic equilibrium. The case is considered that the temperature and the flow velocity are uniform in a region away from the plate. The solution is obtained by method of matched asymptotic expansions. A steady flow is obtained in which the buoyant force balances against the viscous force. The flow is induced not only in the neighbourhood of the plate, but also in a region away from the plate, though the temperature change is localized in the former.