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A transcendental approximation for natural convection at small prandtl numbers
Author(s) -
Cygan D. A.,
Richardson P. D.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
the canadian journal of chemical engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.404
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1939-019X
pISSN - 0008-4034
DOI - 10.1002/cjce.5450460507
Subject(s) - prandtl number , natural convection , cylinder , boundary layer , mechanics , turbulent prandtl number , mathematics , thermal , mathematical analysis , physics , convection , classical mechanics , geometry , nusselt number , meteorology , reynolds number , turbulence
An improved method of approximation for natural convection at small Prandtl numbers is described. It involves simple transcendental functions for profile representation. The method utilizes a physically significant model of the velocity distribution in which regions of the thermal boundary layer and viscous boundary layer are distinguished. The shape of the velocity profile is allowed to vary with Prandtl number. The method is checked against known exact results for natural convection on a vertical flat plate and is used to obtain results for a horizontal cylinder.