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Prandtl number effect on combined free and forced laminar convection in the thermal entrance region of a horizontal rectangular channel
Author(s) -
Chou F. C.,
Hwang G. J.
Publication year - 1986
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.5450640523
Subject(s) - prandtl number , nusselt number , rayleigh number , magnetic prandtl number , turbulent prandtl number , laminar flow , forced convection , mechanics , natural convection , heat flux , physics , thermodynamics , convection , reynolds number , heat transfer , turbulence
A numerical method employing an axial‐direction vorticity function and three velocity components is applied to study the Prandtl number effect on the combined free and forced laminar convection in the thermal entrance region of a horizontal square channel. The channel wall is heated with a uniform heat flux. Local Nusselt number variations are shown for Rayleigh numbers Ra = 10 4 , 3 × 10 4 , 6 × 10 4 and 10 5 with the Prandtl number as a parameter. It may be concluded that the large Prandtl number assumption is valid for Pr = 10 when Ra≤10 4 but for a larger Prandtl number when the Rayleigh number is higher.