Buoyancy Effects in Forced-Convection Flow and Heat Transfer

Abstract

An analysis is made for the effects of buoyancy forces in laminar forced-convection on a vertical flat plate. In general, since it is difficult to obtain an exact solution, an approximate similarity solution is given by introducing the assumption that a role of G_r/R_e² in stream function, [numerical formula] is negligibly small as compared with η. The validity of this assumption is examined by comparing with the experimental data of Kliegel. Numerical calculations are performed for both the constant fluid properties and the variable fluid properties, and the results are compared with Szewczyk's solution previously obtained by perturbation analysis. The velocity and temperature distribution, the friction factor and heat transfer coefficient are given for various values of the parameter G_r/R_e².