Heat Transfer Lectures

Chemical Engineering Department

University of Technology, Iraq

Principles of Convection
Introduction
The preceding chapters have considered the mechanism and calculation of conduction heat
transfer. We now wish to examine the methods of calculating convection heat transfer and, in
particular, the ways of predicting the value of the convection heat transfer coefficient h. The
subject of convection heat transfer requires an energy balance along with an analysis of the fluid
dynamics of the problems concerned. Our development in this chapter is primarily analytical in
character and is concerned only with forced-convection flow systems. The subsequent chapter will
present empirical relations for calculating forced-convection heat transfer.

Viscous Flow
Consider the flow over a flat plate as shown in Figure 1. Beginning at the leading edge of
the plate, a region develops where the influence of viscous forces is felt.

u∞

Figure 1: The development of the boundary layer for flow over a flat plate, and the different flow regimes

These viscous forces are described in terms of a shear stress 𝜏 between the fluid layers. If
this stress is assumed to be proportional to the normal velocity gradient, we have the defining
equation for the viscosity,

𝑑𝑢
𝜏=𝜇
𝑑𝑦

The constant of proportionality μ is called the dynamic viscosity.

• The region of flow that develops from the leading edge of the plate in which the effects of
viscosity are observed is called the boundary layer.

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• Some arbitrary point is used to designate the y position where the boundary layer ends; this
point is usually chosen as the y-coordinate where the velocity becomes 99 percent of the
free-stream value.
• Initially, the boundary-layer development is laminar, but at some critical distance from the
leading edge, depending on the flow field and fluid properties, small disturbances in the
flow begin to become amplified, and a transition process takes place until the flow becomes
turbulent.
• The turbulent-flow region may be pictured as a random churning action with chunks of
fluid moving to and fro in all directions.
• The transition from laminar to turbulent flow occurs when

𝑢∞ 𝑥 𝜌𝑢∞ 𝑥
𝑅𝑒𝑦𝑛𝑜𝑙𝑑𝑠 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 = 𝑅𝑒𝑥 = = > 5 × 105
𝜈 𝜇

Where

𝒖∞ : free-stream velocity, m/s

𝒙: distance from leading edge, m
𝝂 = 𝝁/𝝆: kinematic viscosity, m2/s
• The relative shapes for the velocity profiles in a laminar and turbulent flow are indicated
in Figure 1. The laminar profile is approximately parabolic, while the turbulent profile has
a portion near the wall that is very nearly linear. This linear portion is said to be due to a
laminar sublayer that hugs the surface very closely. Outside this sublayer, the velocity
profile is relatively flat in comparison with the laminar profile.
• Consider the flow in a tube as shown in Figure 2. A boundary layer develops at the
entrance, as shown. Eventually, the boundary layer fills the entire tube, and the flow is said
to be fully developed.

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Figure 2: Velocity profile for (a) laminar flow in a tube and (b) turbulent tube flow

• If the flow is laminar, a parabolic velocity profile is experienced, as shown in Figure 2a.
When the flow is turbulent, a somewhat blunter profile is observed, as in Figure 2b. In a
tube, the Reynolds number is again used as a criterion for laminar and turbulent flow. For

𝑢𝑚 𝑑
𝑅𝑒𝑑 = > 2300
𝜈

the flow is usually observed to be turbulent. 𝑑 represents diameter of tube and 𝑢𝑚 represents the
mean velocity. Again, a range of Reynolds numbers for transition may be observed, depending on
the pipe roughness and smoothness of the flow. The generally accepted range for transition is

2000 < 𝑅𝑒𝑑 < 4000

Laminar Boundary Layer on a Flat Plate

Consider the boundary-layer flow system shown in Figure 3. The free-stream velocity
outside the boundary layer is u∞, and the boundary-layer thickness is δ. We wish to make a
momentum and force balance on the control volume bounded by the planes 1, 2, A-A, and the
solid wall. To simplify the analysis we assume the following:

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1. The fluid is incompressible, and the flow is laminar under steady state conditions.
2. There are no pressure variations in the direction perpendicular to the plate.
3. The viscosity is constant.
4. Viscous-shear forces in the y-direction are negligible.
5. The velocity components normal to the wall are neglected, and only those in the x-
direction are considered.
6. We assume that the control volume is sufficiently high that it always encloses the
boundary layer; that is, H>δ.

Figure 3: Elemental control volume for integral momentum analysis of laminar boundary layer
𝐻
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 1 = ∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦 (1)
0
𝐻
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 1 = ∫ 𝜌𝑢2 𝑑𝑦 (2)
0
𝐻 𝐻
𝑑
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 2 = ∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦 + (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 (3)
0 𝑑𝑥 0
𝐻 𝐻
𝑑
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 2 = ∫ 𝜌𝑢2 𝑑𝑦 + (∫ 𝜌𝑢2 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 (4)
0 𝑑𝑥 0
Considering the conservation of mass and the fact that no mass can enter the control volume
through the solid wall. However, the additional mass flow in expression (3) over that in (1) must
enter through plane A-A. Therefore, this mass flow carries with it a momentum in the x-direction
as follows:

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𝐻
𝑑
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝐴‒ 𝐴 = (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 (5)
𝑑𝑥 0
𝐻
𝑑 (6)
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝐴‒ 𝐴 = 𝑢∞ (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 0
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑛 𝑥‒ 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑂𝑢𝑡 − 𝐼𝑛

𝐻 𝐻 𝐻 𝐻
2
𝑑 2 2
𝑑
𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 = ∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦 + (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 − [(∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) + (𝑢∞ (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥)]
0 𝑑𝑥 0 0 𝑑𝑥 0

𝐻 𝐻 𝐻 𝐻
2
𝑑 2 2
𝑑
𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 = ∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦 + (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 − ∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦 − 𝑢∞ (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥
0 𝑑𝑥 0 0 𝑑𝑥 0

𝐻 𝐻
𝑑 2
𝑑
𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 = (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑢∞ (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑥 0

𝐻
𝑑
𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 = −𝜌 [∫ 𝑢(𝑢∞ − 𝑢) 𝑑𝑦] 𝑑𝑥 (7)
𝑑𝑥 0

𝑑𝑢 𝑑𝑢
𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 𝜏. 𝐴 = −𝜇 ( ) 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑧 = −𝜇 ( ) 𝑑𝑥 (8)
𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0

𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑢𝑚 𝑖𝑛 𝑥‒ 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 = 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑥‒ 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

Hence, the integral boundary-layer equation (Von Kármán's analysis) becomes

𝐻
𝑑 𝑑𝑢
−𝜌 [∫ 𝑢(𝑢∞ − 𝑢) 𝑑𝑦] 𝑑𝑥 = −𝜇 ( ) 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0

𝐻
𝑑 𝜇 𝑑𝑢
[∫ 𝑢(𝑢∞ − 𝑢) 𝑑𝑦] = ( )
𝑑𝑥 0 𝜌 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0
𝛿
𝑑 𝑑𝑢
[∫ 𝑢(𝑢∞ − 𝑢) 𝑑𝑦] = 𝜈 ( ) (9)
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0

Note that the upper limit on the integral (i.e., H) has been changed to δ because the
integration for the above equation is zero for 𝑦 > 𝛿 since 𝑢 = 𝑢∞ for 𝑦 > 𝛿.

If the velocity profiles were known, the appropriate function could be inserted in the
above equation to obtain an expression for the boundary-layer thickness (δ).

For our approximate analysis we first write down some boundary conditions that the
velocity function must satisfy:

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𝐵. 𝐶. #1 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 0 𝑢=0

𝐵. 𝐶. #2 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 𝛿 𝑢 = 𝑢∞

𝜕𝑢
𝐵. 𝐶. #3 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 𝛿 =0
𝜕𝑦

𝜕 2𝑢
𝐵. 𝐶. #4 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 0 =0
𝜕𝑦 2

The simplest function that we can choose to satisfy these conditions is a polynomial with
four arbitrary constants. Thus

𝑢 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑦 + 𝐶3 𝑦 2 + 𝐶4 𝑦 3 (10)
By substituting the first boundary condition in the above equation, we obtain

𝑢 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑦 + 𝐶3 𝑦 2 + 𝐶4 𝑦 3

𝐵. 𝐶. #1 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 0 𝑢=0
0 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 (0) + 𝐶3 (0)2 + 𝐶4 (0)3 ⇒ 𝐶1 = 0
Now, let us use another boundary condition
𝑢 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑦 + 𝐶3 𝑦 2 + 𝐶4 𝑦 3
𝑑𝑢
= 𝐶2 + 2𝐶3 𝑦 + 3𝐶4 𝑦 2 (11)
𝑑𝑦
𝑑2𝑢 (12)
= 2𝐶3 + 6𝐶4 𝑦
𝑑𝑦 2
By substituting the forth boundary condition into Eq. 12
𝑑2𝑢
= 2𝐶3 + 6𝐶4 𝑦 (12)
𝑑𝑦 2
𝜕 2𝑢
𝐵. 𝐶. #4 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 0 = 0, 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 12
𝜕𝑦 2
0 = 2𝐶3 + 6𝐶4 (0) ⇒ 𝐶3 = 0
Now, let us substitute the third boundary condition into Eq. 11
𝑑𝑢
= 𝐶2 + 2𝐶3 𝑦 + 3𝐶4 𝑦 2 (11)
𝑑𝑦

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𝜕𝑢
𝐵. 𝐶. #3 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 𝛿 =0
𝜕𝑦
0 = 𝐶2 + 2(0)𝛿 + 3𝐶4 (𝛿)2
𝐶2 = −3𝐶4 𝛿 2 (13)
Now, let us substitute the second boundary condition into Eq. 10
𝑢 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑦 + 𝐶3 𝑦 2 + 𝐶4 𝑦 3 (10)
𝐵. 𝐶. #2 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 𝛿 𝑢 = 𝑢∞ , 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 10
𝑢∞ = (0) + (−3𝐶4 𝛿 2 )𝛿 + (0)𝛿 2 + 𝐶4 𝛿 3
𝑢∞ = −3𝐶4 𝛿 3 + 𝐶4 𝛿 3 = −2𝐶4 𝛿 3
𝑢∞
𝐶4 = − (14)
2𝛿 3
Now by substituting the value of 𝐶4 into equation 13, we obtain
𝑢∞ 3 𝑢∞
𝐶2 = −3𝐶4 𝛿 2 = −3𝛿 2 (− 3
) ⇒ 𝐶2 =
2𝛿 2 𝛿
By substituting the values of 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 , 𝐶3 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶4 into Eq.10, we obtain
𝑢 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑦 + 𝐶3 𝑦 2 + 𝐶4 𝑦 3 (10)
3 𝑢∞ 𝑢∞
𝑢 = (0) + 𝑦 + (0)𝑦 2 − 3 𝑦 3
2 𝛿 2𝛿
3 𝑢∞ 𝑢∞
𝑢= 𝑦 − 3 𝑦3
2 𝛿 2𝛿
𝑢∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3
𝑢= [3 ( ) − ( ) ] (15)
2 𝛿 𝛿
The above equation represents velocity profile. Now we can insert the velocity profile in to
equation 9
𝛿
𝑑 𝑑𝑢
[∫ 𝑢(𝑢∞ − 𝑢) 𝑑𝑦] = 𝜈 ( ) (9)
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0
𝛿
𝑑 𝑢∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑢∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑑𝑢
[∫ [3 ( ) − ( ) ] (𝑢∞ − [3 ( ) − ( ) ]) 𝑑𝑦] = 𝜈 ( ) (16)
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 𝛿 2 𝛿 𝛿 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0
𝑑𝑢
Now we need also to find (𝑑𝑦) . Hence
𝑦=0

𝑢∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3
𝑢= [3 ( ) − ( ) ]
2 𝛿 𝛿

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3 𝑢∞ 𝑢∞
𝑢= 𝑦 − 3 𝑦3
2 𝛿 2𝛿
𝑑𝑢 3 𝑢∞ 𝑢∞
= − 3 3 𝑦2
𝑑𝑦 2 𝛿 2𝛿
𝑑𝑢 3 𝑢∞ 𝑢∞
( ) = − 3 3 (0)2
𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0 2 𝛿 2𝛿

𝑑𝑢 3 𝑢∞
( ) = (17)
𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0 2 𝛿

By substituting Eq. 17 into Eq. 16, we obtain

𝛿
𝑑 𝑢∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑢∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑑𝑢
[∫ [3 ( ) − ( ) ] (𝑢∞ − [3 ( ) − ( ) ]) 𝑑𝑦] = 𝜈 ( ) (16)
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 𝛿 2 𝛿 𝛿 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0
𝛿
𝑑 𝑢∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑢∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 3 𝑢∞
[∫ [3 ( ) − ( ) ] {𝑢∞ − [3 ( ) − ( ) ]} 𝑑𝑦] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 𝛿 2 𝛿 𝛿 2 𝛿
𝑑 𝛿
𝑢2∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑢2∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑦 𝑦 3 3 𝑢∞
[∫ { [3 ( ) − ( ) ] − [3 ( ) − ( ) ] [3 ( ) − ( ) ]} 𝑑𝑦] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 𝛿 4 𝛿 𝛿 𝛿 𝛿 2 𝛿
2
𝑑 𝛿
𝑢2∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑢2∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 3 𝑢∞
[∫ { [3 ( ) − ( ) ] − [3 ( ) − ( ) ] } 𝑑𝑦] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 𝛿 4 𝛿 𝛿 2 𝛿
2 2
𝑑 𝛿
𝑢2∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑢2∞ 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑦 3 3 𝑢∞
[∫ { [3 ( ) − ( ) ] − [(3 ( )) − 2 (3 ( )) ( ) + (( ) ) ]} 𝑑𝑦] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 𝛿 4 𝛿 𝛿 𝛿 𝛿 2 𝛿

𝑑 𝛿
𝑢2∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 𝑢2∞ 𝑦 2 𝑦 4 𝑦 6 3 𝑢∞
[∫ { [3 ( ) − ( ) ] − [9 ( ) − 6 ( ) + ( ) ]} 𝑑𝑦] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 𝛿 4 𝛿 𝛿 𝛿 2 𝛿
2 2
𝑑 𝛿
3𝑢2∞ 𝑦 𝑢2∞ 𝑦 3 9𝑢∞ 𝑦 2 6𝑢∞ 𝑦 4 𝑢2∞ 𝑦 6 3 𝑢∞
[∫ { ( )− ( ) − ( ) + ( ) − ( ) } 𝑑𝑦] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 2 𝛿 4 𝛿 4 𝛿 4 𝛿 2 𝛿
2 2
𝑑 𝛿
3𝑢2∞ 𝑦 𝑢2∞ 𝑦 3 9𝑢∞ 𝑦 2 3𝑢∞ 𝑦 4 𝑢2∞ 𝑦 6 3 𝑢∞
[∫ { − − + − } 𝑑𝑦] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 2 𝛿 3 4 𝛿 2 2 𝛿 4 4 𝛿 6 2 𝛿

By integrating the right side, we obtain

2 2 𝛿
𝑑 3𝑢2∞ 𝑦2 𝑢2∞ 𝑦 4 9𝑢∞ 𝑦 3 3𝑢∞ 𝑦 5 𝑢2∞ 𝑦 7 3 𝑢∞
[[ − − + − ] ]= 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 2 2𝛿 2 4𝛿 3 4 3𝛿 2 2 5𝛿 4 4 7𝛿 6 2 𝛿
0

2 2 𝛿
𝑑 3𝑢2∞ 𝑦2 𝑢2∞ 𝑦 4 3𝑢∞ 𝑦 3 3𝑢∞ 𝑦 5 𝑢2∞ 𝑦 7 3 𝑢∞
[[ − − + − ] ] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 4 𝛿 8 𝛿3 4 𝛿2 10 𝛿 4 28 𝛿6 2 𝛿
0

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2 4 2 3 2 5 7
𝑑 3𝑢2∞ 𝛿 𝑢2∞ 𝛿 3𝑢∞ 𝛿 3𝑢∞ 𝛿 𝑢2∞ 𝛿
[( − − + − )
𝑑𝑥 4 𝛿 8 𝛿3 4 𝛿2 10 𝛿4 28 𝛿6
3𝑢2∞ (0)2 𝑢2∞ (0)4 3𝑢2∞ (0)3 3𝑢2∞ (0)5 𝑢2∞ (0)7 3 𝑢∞
−( − − + − )] = 𝜈
4 𝛿 8 𝛿 3 4 𝛿 2 10 𝛿 4 28 𝛿 6 2 𝛿
2 2
𝑑 3𝑢2∞ 𝑢2∞ 3𝑢∞ 3𝑢∞ 𝑢2∞ 3 𝑢∞
[( 𝛿− 𝛿− 𝛿+ 𝛿− 𝛿)] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 4 8 4 10 28 2 𝛿
2 2
𝑑 3𝑢2∞ 𝑢2∞ 3𝑢∞ 3𝑢∞ 𝑢2∞ 3 𝑢∞
[( 𝛿− 𝛿− 𝛿+ 𝛿− 𝛿)] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 4 8 4 10 28 2 𝛿
2
𝑑 𝑢2∞ 3𝑢∞ 𝑢2∞ 3 𝑢∞
[(− 𝛿+ 𝛿− 𝛿)] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 8 10 28 2 𝛿

𝑑 −35𝑢2∞ 𝛿 + 84𝑢2∞ 𝛿 − 10𝑢2∞ 𝛿 3 𝑢∞

[( )] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 280 2 𝛿
𝑑 39𝑢2∞ 𝛿 3 𝑢∞
[( )] = 𝜈
𝑑𝑥 280 2 𝛿
39 2 𝑑 3 𝑢∞
𝑢∞ 𝛿 = 𝜈
280 𝑑𝑥 2 𝛿
By separation variables
3 × 280 𝑢∞
𝛿𝑑𝛿 = 2
𝜈𝑑𝑥
2 × 39 𝑢∞
140 𝜈
𝛿𝑑𝛿 = 𝑑𝑥
13 𝑢∞
By integrating the both sides, we obtain
𝛿 2 140 𝜈
= 𝑥+𝐴 (17)
2 13 𝑢∞
𝐵. 𝐶. 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 0 𝛿 = 0 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 17
(0)2 140 𝜈
= (0) + 𝐴 ⇒ 𝐴 = 0, 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 17
2 13 𝑢∞
𝛿 2 140 𝜈
= 𝑥
2 13 𝑢∞
280 𝜈
𝛿2 = 𝑥 (18)
13 𝑢∞

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By taking square root for both sides, we obtain

280 𝜈𝑥
𝛿=√ √
13 𝑢∞

𝜈𝑥 𝑥 𝜈𝑥 2 𝜈
𝛿 = 4.64√ × = 4.64√ = 4.64𝑥√
𝑢∞ 𝑥 𝑢∞ 𝑥 𝑢∞ 𝑥

The above equation may be written in terms of the Reynolds number as

𝑢∞ 𝑥
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑅𝑒𝑥 =
𝜈

1
𝐻𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝛿 = 4.64𝑥√
𝑅𝑒𝑥

1
𝛿 = 4.64𝑥
√𝑅𝑒𝑥

𝛿 = 4.64𝑥 (𝑅𝑒𝑥 )−0.5 (19)

Example 1: Air at 27◦C and 1 atm flows over a flat plate at a speed of 2 m/s. Calculate the
boundary-layer thickness at distances of 20 cm and 40 cm from the leading edge of the plate.
Calculate the mass flow that enters the boundary layer between x=20 cm and x=40 cm. The
viscosity of air at 27◦C is 1.85×10−5 kg/m.s. Assume unit depth in the z-direction.

Solution:
The density of air can be calculated from the following equation
𝑃
𝜌= Air
𝑅𝑇
𝑻∞ = 𝟐𝟕 𝑪𝒐 𝒚
5
𝑃 = 1 𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 1.0132 × 10 𝑃𝑎
𝑷 = 𝟏 𝒂𝒕𝒎 𝜹𝟐𝟎 𝒄𝒎 ? 𝜹𝟒𝟎 𝒄𝒎 ?
𝑇 = 27 𝐶 𝑜 = 27 + 273 = 300 𝐾 𝒖∞ = 𝟐 𝒎/𝒔
𝒙
𝐽
𝑅 = 287
𝑘𝑔. 𝐾
𝑃 1.0132 × 105
𝜌= = = 1.177 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3
𝑅𝑇 (287)(300)
First, we need to check the Reynolds number

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𝑢∞ 𝑥 𝜌𝑢∞ 𝑥 (1.177)(2)(0.2)
𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = 20 𝑐𝑚 𝑅𝑒𝑥 = = = = 25444
𝜈 𝜇 1.85 × 10−5
𝑢∞ 𝑥 𝜌𝑢∞ 𝑥 (1.177)(2)(0.4)
𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = 40 𝑐𝑚 𝑅𝑒𝑥 = = = = 50897
𝜈 𝜇 1.85 × 10−5
The calculated Reynolds numbers at different locations (x=20 cm, and 40 cm) are still less
than the critical Reynolds number (5×105). Therefore, the air flow is still in laminar condition.

Since we have laminar flow. Therefore, we can use the following equation (Eq. 19).

𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = 20 𝑐𝑚 𝛿 = 4.64𝑥 (𝑅𝑒𝑥 )−0.5 = 4.64(0.2) (25444)−0.5 = 0.00582 𝑚

𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = 40 𝑐𝑚 𝛿 = 4.64𝑥 (𝑅𝑒𝑥 )−0.5 = 4.64(0.4) (50897)−0.5 = 0.00822 𝑚

To calculate the mass flow that enters the boundary layer from the free stream between
x=20 cm and x=40 cm, we simply take the difference between the mass flow in the boundary layer
at these two x positions. At any x position, the mass flow in the boundary layer is given by the
integral.

𝛿
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 = ∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦 (1)
0

𝑢∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3
𝑢= [3 ( ) − ( ) ] (15)
2 𝛿 𝛿
By substituting Eq. 15 into Eq. 1, we obtain
𝛿
𝑢∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 = ∫ 𝜌 [3 ( ) − ( ) ] 𝑑𝑦
0 2 𝛿 𝛿
𝜌𝑢∞ 𝛿 𝑦 𝑦3
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 = ∫ [3 ( ) − 3 ] 𝑑𝑦
2 0 𝛿 𝛿
𝛿
𝜌𝑢∞ 𝑦2 𝑦4
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 = [(3 − 3 )]
2 2𝛿 4𝛿 0

𝜌𝑢∞ 𝛿2 𝛿4 (0)2 (0)4

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 = [(3 − ) − (3 − 3 )]
2 2𝛿 4𝛿3 2𝛿 4𝛿
𝜌𝑢∞ 3𝛿 𝛿
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 = [( − )]
2 2 4

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𝜌𝑢∞ 6𝛿 − 𝛿
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 = [( )]
2 4
5𝜌𝑢∞ 𝛿
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 =
8
Thus the mass flow entering the boundary layer is
5
∆𝑚 = 𝜌𝑢∞ (𝛿40 − 𝛿20 )
8
5
∆𝑚 = (1.177)(2)(0.00822 − 0.00582) = 0.00351 𝑘𝑔/𝑠
8
The Thermal Boundary Layer
Consider the system shown in Figure 4. The temperature of the wall is Tw, the temperature
of the fluid outside the thermal boundary layer is T∞, and the thickness of the thermal boundary
layer is designated as 𝛿𝑡 . At the wall, the velocity is zero, and the heat transfer into the fluid takes
place by conduction. To simplify the below analysis, the following assumptions have been
assumed.

1. Incompressible steady flow

2. Constant viscosity, thermal conductivity, and specific heat
𝜕𝑇 𝜕𝑇
3. Negligible heat conduction in the direction of flow (x-direction), i.e., 𝜕𝑥 ≪ 𝜕𝑦
𝑇∞

𝑦
𝛿𝑡
𝑥

𝑇𝑤
𝜕𝑇
𝑞𝑤 /𝐴 = −𝑘 ( )
𝜕𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙

Figure 4: Temperature profile in the thermal boundary layer

The local heat flux per unit area, 𝑞 ′′ , is

𝑞 𝑑𝑇
= 𝑞 ′′ = −𝑘 ( ) (20)
𝐴 𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙
From Newton’s law of cooling

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𝑞 ′′ = ℎ(𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) (21)
By combing the above equations, we obtain
𝑑𝑇
ℎ(𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) = −𝑘 ( )
𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙
𝑑𝑇
−𝑘 ( )
𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 (22)
ℎ=
(𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ )
According to the above equation, we need only find the temperature gradient at the wall in
order to evaluate the heat-transfer coefficient. This means that we must obtain an expression for
the temperature distribution. To do this, an approach similar to that used in the momentum analysis
of the boundary layer (Von Kármán's analysis) is followed. The conditions that the temperature
distribution must satisfy are

𝐵. 𝐶. #1 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 0 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑤

𝑑𝑇
𝐵. 𝐶. #2 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 𝛿𝑡 =0
𝑑𝑦

𝐵. 𝐶. #3 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 𝛿𝑡 𝑇 = 𝑇∞

𝑑2𝑇
𝐵. 𝐶. #4 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 0 =0
𝑑𝑦 2

𝑇 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑦 + 𝐶3 𝑦 2 + 𝐶4 𝑦 3 (23)
By substituting the first boundary condition into Eq. 23, we obtain

𝐵. 𝐶. #1 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 0 𝑇 = 𝑇𝑤

𝑇𝑤 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 (0) + 𝐶3 (0)2 + 𝐶4 (0)3 ⇒ 𝐶1 = 𝑇𝑤

Now, let use the second boundary condition, but we need to find the first derivative to Eq. 23

𝑇 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑦 + 𝐶3 𝑦 2 + 𝐶4 𝑦 3 (23)
𝑑𝑇
= 𝐶2 + 2𝐶3 𝑦 + 3𝐶4 𝑦 2 (24)
𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑇
𝐵. 𝐶. #2 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 𝛿𝑡 = 0, 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 24
𝑑𝑦

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0 = 𝐶2 + 2𝐶3 (𝛿𝑡 ) + 3𝐶4 (𝛿𝑡 )2 (25)

Now, let use the forth boundary condition, but we need to find the second derivative to Eq. 23

𝑑2𝑇
= 2𝐶3 + 6𝐶4 𝑦 (26)
𝑑𝑦 2
By substituting the forth boundary condition into Eq. 26, we obtain

𝑑2𝑇
𝐵. 𝐶. #4 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 0 =0
𝑑𝑦 2

0 = 2𝐶3 + 6𝐶4 (0) ⇒ 𝐶3 = 0

By substituting the value of 𝐶3 boundary condition into Eq. 25, we obtain

0 = 𝐶2 + 2𝐶3 (𝛿𝑡 ) + 3𝐶4 (𝛿𝑡 )2 (25)

0 = 𝐶2 + 2(0)(𝛿𝑡 ) + 3𝐶4 (𝛿𝑡 )2

𝐶2 = −3𝐶4 𝛿𝑡 2 (27)
Now, let us substitute the third boundary condition into eq. 23

𝑇 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑦 + 𝐶3 𝑦 2 + 𝐶4 𝑦 3 (23)
𝑇 = 𝑇𝑤 + 𝐶2 𝑦 + (0)𝑦 2 + 𝐶4 𝑦 3

𝑇 = 𝑇𝑤 + 𝐶2 𝑦 + 𝐶4 𝑦 3

𝐵. 𝐶. #3 𝑎𝑡 𝑦 = 𝛿𝑡 𝑇 = 𝑇∞ , 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 23

𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝑤 + 𝐶2 𝛿𝑡 + 𝐶4 𝛿𝑡 3 (28)
By substituting Eq. 27 into Eq. 28, we obtain

𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝑤 + (−3𝐶4 𝛿𝑡 2 )𝛿𝑡 + 𝐶4 𝛿𝑡 3

𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝑤 − 3𝐶4 𝛿𝑡 3 + 𝐶4 𝛿𝑡 3

𝑇∞ = 𝑇𝑤 − 2𝐶4 𝛿𝑡 3

𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞
𝐶4 = (29)
2𝛿𝑡 3
By substituting Eq. 29 into Eq. 27, we obtain

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𝐶2 = −3𝐶4 𝛿𝑡 2 (27)
𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ 3 (𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ )
𝐶2 = −3 ( 3 ) 𝛿𝑡 2 ⇒ 𝐶2 = −
2𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿𝑡

By substituting the values of 𝐶1 , 𝐶2 , 𝐶3 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐶4 into Eq.23, we obtain

𝑇 = 𝐶1 + 𝐶2 𝑦 + 𝐶3 𝑦 2 + 𝐶4 𝑦 3 (23)
3 (𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) (𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) 3
𝑇 = 𝑇𝑤 − 𝑦+0+ 𝑦
2 𝛿𝑡 2𝛿𝑡 3

3 (𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) (𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) 3
𝑇 = 𝑇𝑤 − 𝑦+ 𝑦
2 𝛿𝑡 2𝛿𝑡 3

3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3
𝑇 − 𝑇𝑤 = (𝑇∞ − 𝑇𝑤 ) [ ( ) − ( ) ]
2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿𝑡

𝑇 − 𝑇𝑤 3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3
= [ ( )− ( ) ] (30)
𝑇∞ − 𝑇𝑤 2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿𝑡
The above equation (i.e., Eq. 30) represents temperature distribution
Now let us consider the control volume bounded by the planes 1, 2, A-A, and the wall as
shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5: Control volume for integral energy analysis of laminar boundary flow

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It is assumed that the thermal boundary layer is thinner than the hydrodynamic boundary
layer, as shown Figure 6. The wall temperature is Tw, the free-stream temperature is T∞, and the
heat given up to the fluid over the length dx is dqw.

Figure 6: Hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layers on a flat plate. Heating starts at x=xo.

We wish to make the energy balance

𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟

( )+( )+( ) = 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡 (31)
𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙
𝐻
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 1 = 𝜌𝐶𝑃 ∫ 𝑢𝑇 𝑑𝑦 (32)
0
𝐻 𝐻
𝑑
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 2 = 𝜌𝐶𝑃 ∫ 𝑢𝑇 𝑑𝑦 + (𝜌𝐶𝑃 ∫ 𝑢𝑇 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 (33)
0 𝑑𝑥 0
𝐻
𝑑
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝐴‒ 𝐴 = (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 (34)
𝑑𝑥 0
The above mass flow carries with an energy, hence
𝐻
𝑑
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑒 𝐴‒ 𝐴 = 𝐶𝑃 𝑇∞ (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 (35)
𝑑𝑥 0
𝑑𝑇 (36)
𝑇ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑡 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 = −𝑘(𝑑𝑥. 1) ( )
𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙
For now, we neglect the viscous work term (i.e., viscous-dissipation term); this term is very small
unless the velocity of the flow field becomes very large.
Combining these energy quantities according to Equation 31 and collecting terms gives
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑
( )+( )=( )
𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑡 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑢𝑡

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𝐻 𝐻 𝐻 𝐻
𝑑 𝑑𝑇 𝑑
𝜌𝐶𝑃 ∫ 𝑢𝑇 𝑑𝑦 + 𝐶𝑃 𝑇∞ (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑘 ( ) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝜌𝐶𝑃 ∫ 𝑢𝑇 𝑑𝑦 + (𝜌𝐶𝑃 ∫ 𝑢𝑇 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥
0 𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 0 𝑑𝑥 0

𝐻 𝐻
𝑑 𝑑𝑇 𝑑
𝐶𝑃 𝑇∞ (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 − 𝑘 ( ) 𝑑𝑥 = (𝜌𝐶𝑃 ∫ 𝑢𝑇 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑑𝑥 0

𝐻 𝐻
𝑑 𝑑 𝑑𝑇
𝐶𝑃 𝑇∞ (∫ 𝜌𝑢 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 − (𝜌𝐶𝑃 ∫ 𝑢𝑇 𝑑𝑦) 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑘 ( ) 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙
𝐻
𝑑 𝑑𝑇
𝜌𝐶𝑃 [∫ (𝑇∞ − 𝑇) 𝑢 𝑑𝑦] 𝑑𝑥 = 𝑘 ( ) 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙
𝐻
𝑑 𝑘 𝑑𝑇
[∫ (𝑇∞ − 𝑇) 𝑢 𝑑𝑦] = ( ) (37)
𝑑𝑥 0 𝜌𝐶𝑃 𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙
𝑘
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝛼 = , thus the Eq. 37 becomes
𝜌𝐶𝑃
𝐻
𝑑 𝑑𝑇
[∫ (𝑇∞ − 𝑇) 𝑢 𝑑𝑦] = 𝛼 ( ) (38)
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0

The plate under consideration need not be heated over its entire length. The situation that
we shall analyze is shown in Figure 6, where the hydrodynamic boundary layer develops from the
leading edge of the plate, while heating does not begin until x=xo. Inserting the temperature
distribution Equation 30 and the velocity distribution Equation 15 into Equation 38 and neglecting
the viscous-dissipation term, gives
𝐻
𝑑 𝑑𝑇
[∫ (𝑇∞ − 𝑇) 𝑢 𝑑𝑦] = 𝛼 ( ) (38)
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0
𝑑𝜃 𝑑𝑇
𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝜃 = 𝑇 − 𝑇𝑤 ⇒ =
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜, 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝜃∞ = 𝑇∞ − 𝑇𝑤
Therefore, the above equation (Eq. 38) becomes
𝐻
𝑑 𝑑𝜃
[∫ ( 𝜃∞ + 𝑇𝑤 − (𝜃 + 𝑇𝑤 )) 𝑢 𝑑𝑦] = 𝛼 ( )
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0
𝐻
𝑑 𝑑𝜃
[∫ ( 𝜃∞ + 𝑇𝑤 − 𝜃 − 𝑇𝑤 ) 𝑢 𝑑𝑦] = 𝛼 ( )
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0

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𝐻
𝑑 𝑑𝜃
[∫ ( 𝜃∞ − 𝜃) 𝑢 𝑑𝑦] = 𝛼 ( ) (39)
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0
𝑢∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 (15)
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑢 = [3 ( ) − ( ) ] , 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑒
2 𝛿 𝛿
𝑇 − 𝑇𝑤 3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3
= [ ( )− ( ) ] (30)
𝑇∞ − 𝑇𝑤 2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿𝑡
𝜃 3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3
= [ ( )− ( ) ]
𝜃∞ 2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿𝑡
3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3
𝜃 = 𝜃∞ [ ( ) − ( ) ] (40)
2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿𝑡
By taking the derivative for the above equation (Eq. 40), we obtain
𝑑𝜃 3 1 3 𝑦2
= 𝜃∞ [ ( ) − ]
𝑑𝑦 2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿𝑡3
𝑑𝜃 3 1 3 (0)2
( ) = 𝜃∞ [ ( ) − ]
𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0 2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿𝑡3
𝑑𝜃 3 𝜃∞
( ) = (41)
𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0 2 𝛿𝑡

By substituting Eqs. 40 and 41 into Eq. 39, we obtain

𝐻
𝑑 𝑑𝜃
{∫ [𝜃∞ − 𝜃] 𝑢 𝑑𝑦} = 𝛼 ( ) (39)
𝑑𝑥 0 𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0
𝐻
𝑑 3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3 𝑢∞ 𝑦 𝑦 3 3𝛼𝜃∞
{∫ [𝜃∞ − (𝜃∞ [ ( ) − ( ) ])] [3 ( ) − ( ) ] 𝑑𝑦} =
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿 𝛿 2𝛿𝑡
𝑑 𝐻
3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3 3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ {∫ [1 − ( ( ) − ( ) )] [ ( ) − ( ) ] 𝑑𝑦} =
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿 2 𝛿 2𝛿𝑡
𝑑 𝐻
3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3 3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3 3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ {∫ [ ( ) − ( ) − ( ( ) − ( ) ) ( ( ) − ( ) )] 𝑑𝑦} =
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 2 𝛿 2 𝛿 2 𝛿 2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿𝑡 2𝛿𝑡

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𝑑 𝐻
3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ {∫ [ ( ) − ( )
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 2 𝛿

3 𝑦 3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3 3 𝑦 3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3
− [( ( )) ( ( )) − ( ( ) ) ( ( )) + ( ( )) (− ( ) )
2 𝛿 2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿 2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿 2 𝛿𝑡

1 𝑦 3 1 𝑦 3 3𝛼𝜃∞
− ( ( ) ) (− ( ) )]] 𝑑𝑦} =
2 𝛿 2 𝛿𝑡 2𝛿𝑡

𝑑 𝐻
3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3 9 𝑦2 3 𝑦4 3 𝑦4 1 𝑦6 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ {∫ [ ( ) − ( ) − [( )−( 3 ) − ( 3 ) + ( 3 )]] 𝑑𝑦} =
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 2 𝛿 4 𝛿𝛿𝑡 4 𝛿 𝛿𝑡 4 𝛿𝛿𝑡 4 𝛿 𝛿𝑡
3 2𝛿𝑡

𝑑 𝐻
3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3 9 𝑦2 3 𝑦4 3 𝑦4 1 𝑦6 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ {∫ [ ( ) − ( ) − ( )+( 3 ) + ( 3 ) − ( 3 )] 𝑑𝑦} =
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 2 𝛿 4 𝛿𝛿𝑡 4 𝛿 𝛿𝑡 4 𝛿𝛿𝑡 4 𝛿 𝛿𝑡
3 2𝛿𝑡
Let us assume that the thermal boundary layer is thinner than the hydrodynamic boundary
layer. Then we only need to carry out the integration to 𝑦 = 𝛿𝑡 since the integrand is zero for 𝑦 =
𝛿𝑡
𝑑 𝛿𝑡 3 𝑦 1 𝑦 3 9 𝑦2 3 𝑦4 3 𝑦4 1 𝑦6 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ {∫ [ ( ) − ( ) − ( )+( 3 ) + ( 3 ) − ( 3 )] 𝑑𝑦} =
𝑑𝑥 0 2 𝛿 2 𝛿 4 𝛿𝛿𝑡 4 𝛿 𝛿𝑡 4 𝛿𝛿𝑡 4 𝛿 𝛿𝑡
3 2𝛿𝑡
𝛿𝑡
𝑑 3 𝑦2 1 𝑦4 9 𝑦3 3 𝑦5 3 𝑦5 1 𝑦7 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ [[ ( ) − ( 3 ) − ( )+ ( 3 )+ ( )− ( )]] =
𝑑𝑥 2 2𝛿 2 4𝛿 4 3𝛿𝛿𝑡 4 5𝛿 𝛿𝑡 4 5𝛿𝛿𝑡 3 4 7𝛿 3 𝛿𝑡 3 2𝛿𝑡
0
𝑡 𝛿
𝑑 3 𝑦2 1 𝑦4 3 𝑦3 3 𝑦5 3 𝑦5 1 𝑦7 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ [ ( ) − ( 3 ) − ( ) + ( 3 ) + ( 3 ) − ( 3 )] =
𝑑𝑥 4 𝛿 8 𝛿 4 𝛿𝛿𝑡 20 𝛿 𝛿𝑡 20 𝛿𝛿𝑡 28 𝛿 3 𝛿𝑡 2𝛿𝑡
0

𝑑 3 𝛿𝑡 2 1 𝛿𝑡 4 3 𝛿𝑡 3 3 𝛿𝑡 5 3 𝛿𝑡 5 1 𝛿𝑡 7 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ [( ( ) − ( 3 ) − ( ) + ( 3 ) + ( 3 ) − ( 3 3 ))] =
𝑑𝑥 4 𝛿 8 𝛿 4 𝛿𝛿𝑡 20 𝛿 𝛿𝑡 20 𝛿𝛿𝑡 28 𝛿 𝛿𝑡 2𝛿𝑡

𝑑 3 𝛿𝑡 2 1 𝛿𝑡 4 3 𝛿𝑡 2 3 𝛿𝑡 4 3 𝛿𝑡 2 1 𝛿𝑡 4 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ [( ( ) − ( 3 ) − ( ) + ( 3 ) + ( ) − ( 3 ))] =
𝑑𝑥 4 𝛿 8 𝛿 4 𝛿 20 𝛿 20 𝛿 28 𝛿 2𝛿𝑡

𝑑 3 𝛿𝑡 2 1 𝛿𝑡 4 3 𝛿𝑡 4 1 𝛿𝑡 4 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ [( ( ) − ( 3 ) + ( 3 ) − ( 3 ))] =
𝑑𝑥 20 𝛿 8 𝛿 20 𝛿 28 𝛿 2𝛿𝑡

𝑑 3 𝛿𝑡 2 −35𝛿𝑡 4 + 42𝛿𝑡 4 − 10𝛿𝑡 4 3𝛼𝜃∞

𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ [( )+( 3 )] =
𝑑𝑥 20 𝛿 280𝛿 2𝛿𝑡
𝑑 3 𝛿𝑡 2 3 𝛿𝑡 4 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ [( )−( )] =
𝑑𝑥 20 𝛿 280 𝛿 3 2𝛿𝑡

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𝑑 3 𝛿𝑡 2 3 𝛿𝑡 4 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ 𝛿 [( 2 ) − ( 4 )] = (42)
𝑑𝑥 20 𝛿 280 𝛿 2𝛿𝑡
𝛿𝑡
𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝜁 = , 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 42
𝛿
𝑑 3 3 4 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ 𝛿 [ 𝜁2 − 𝜁 ]= (43)
𝑑𝑥 20 280 2𝛿𝜁
4 2 4
Because 𝛿𝑡 < 𝛿, 𝜁 < 1, and the term involving 𝜁 is small compared with the 𝜁 term, we neglect the 𝜁 term and
write
𝑑 3 2 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ 𝛿[ 𝜁 ] = (44)
𝑑𝑥 20 2𝛿𝜁
3 𝑑 3𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ 𝛿(𝜁2 ) =
20 𝑑𝑥 2𝛿𝑡
1 𝑑𝜁 𝑑𝛿 𝛼𝜃∞
𝜃∞ 𝑢∞ [𝛿 × 2𝜁 + 𝜁2 ] =
20 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2𝛿𝜁
1 𝑑𝜁 2 𝑑𝛿
𝑢 𝛿𝜁 [𝛿 × 2𝜁 +𝜁 ]=𝛼
10 ∞ 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
1 2 𝑑𝜁 3 𝑑𝛿
𝑢∞ [2𝛿 2 𝜁 +𝜁 𝛿 ]=𝛼
10 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
Since
140 𝜈
𝛿𝑑𝛿 = 𝑑𝑥
13 𝑢∞
280 𝜈
𝛿2 = 𝑥
13 𝑢∞
140 𝜈
280 𝜈 𝑑𝑥
1 2 𝑑𝜁 3 13 𝑢∞
𝑢 [2 × 𝑥𝜁 +𝜁 ]=𝛼
10 ∞ 13 𝑢∞ 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥

56𝜈 2 𝑑𝜁 14
[ 𝑥𝜁 + 𝜁 3 𝜈] = 𝛼
13 𝑑𝑥 13

14𝜈 𝑑𝜁
[4𝑥𝜁 2 + 𝜁3] = 𝛼
13 𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝜁 13 𝛼
[4𝑥𝜁 2 + 𝜁3 ] =
𝑑𝑥 14 𝜈
𝑑𝜁 13 𝛼
𝜁 3 + 4𝑥𝜁 2 = (45)
𝑑𝑥 14 𝜈
𝑑𝜁 1 𝑑 3
𝑁𝑜𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝜁2 = 𝜁
𝑑𝑥 3 𝑑𝑥
Thus, the above equation becomes

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1 𝑑 3 13 𝛼
𝜁 3 + 4𝑥 𝜁 =
3 𝑑𝑥 14 𝜈
4𝑥 𝑑𝜁 3 13 𝛼
+ 𝜁3 =
3 𝑑𝑥 14 𝜈
4𝑥 𝑑𝜁 3 3 3 13 𝛼
[ + 𝜁 ]=
3 𝑑𝑥 4𝑥 14 𝜈
𝑑𝜁 3 3 3 39 𝛼
+ 𝜁 = (46)
𝑑𝑥 4𝑥 56 𝜈𝑥
The above equation is a linear differential equation of the first order in 𝜁 3
𝑑𝜁 3 3 3 39 𝛼
+ 𝜁 =
𝑑𝑥 4𝑥 56 𝜈𝑥
𝑑𝑦
+ 𝑃(𝑥)𝑦 = 𝑄(𝑥)
𝑑𝑥
The general solution to above equation is as follows

𝑦𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑄𝑒 ∫ 𝑃𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 + 𝐶

313 𝛼
𝜁 3 = 𝐶(𝑥)−4 + (47)
14 𝜈
𝛿𝑡
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝜁 =
𝛿
𝛿𝑡 0
𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 𝑥𝑜 𝛿𝑡 = 0 ⇒ 𝜁 = = = 0, 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 (𝐸𝑞. 47)
𝛿 𝛿
3 13 𝛼
(0)3 = 𝐶(𝑥𝑜 )−4 +
14 𝜈
13 𝛼
𝐶=− 3 , 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 47
14 −
𝜈𝑥𝑜 4
13 𝛼 3 13 𝛼
𝜁3 = − 3
(𝑥)−4 +
14 14 𝜈
𝜈𝑥𝑜 −4
13 𝛼 +3 −3 13 𝛼
𝜁3 = − 𝑥 4 (𝑥) 4 +
14 𝜈 𝑜 14 𝜈
13 𝛼 3 3
𝜁3 = [−𝑥𝑜 +4 𝑥 −4 + 1]
14 𝜈

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3
13 𝛼
3
𝑥𝑜 4
𝜁 = [1 − ( ) ]
14 𝜈 𝑥

Since
momentum diffusivity 𝜈
𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑡𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 = = 𝑃𝑟 =
thermal diffusivity 𝛼
3
3
13 −1 𝑥𝑜 4
𝜁 = 𝑃𝑟 [1 − ( ) ]
14 𝑥

By taking third root for both sides, we obtain

3
13 3 𝑥𝑜 4
𝜁 = √ 𝑃𝑟 −1 [1 − ( ) ]
14 𝑥

3 1/3
𝛿𝑡 𝑥𝑜 4
𝜁 = = 0.975𝑃𝑟 −1/3 [1 − ( ) ] (48)
𝛿 𝑥

When the plate is heated over the entire length, xo =0, Hence the above equation becomes
3 1/3
𝛿𝑡 0 4
𝜁 = = 0.975𝑃𝑟 −1/3 [1 − ( ) ]
𝛿 𝑥

𝛿𝑡
𝜁= = 0.975 𝑃𝑟 −1/3 (49)
𝛿
In the foregoing analysis, the assumption was made that 𝜁 < 1. This assumption is
satisfactory for fluids having Prandtl numbers greater than about 0.7. Fortunately, most gases and
liquids fall within this category.
Returning now to the analysis, we have

𝑑𝑇
−𝑘 ( )
𝑑𝑦 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑙 (22)
ℎ=
(𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ )
𝑑𝑇 3 (𝑇∞ − 𝑇𝑤 )
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, ( ) = , 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 22
𝑑𝑦 𝑦=0 2 𝛿𝑡

3 (𝑇∞ − 𝑇𝑤 ) 3 (𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ )
−𝑘 +𝑘
2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝛿𝑡
ℎ= =
(𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) (𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ )

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3𝑘 3𝑘
ℎ= = (50)
2 𝛿𝑡 2 𝜁𝛿
3 1/3
𝑥𝑜 4
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝜁 = 0.975𝑃𝑟 −1/3 [1 − ( ) ] , 𝑆𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 50
𝑥

𝑢∞ 𝑥 −0.5
𝛿 = 4.64𝑥 (𝑅𝑒𝑥 )−0.5 = 4.64𝑥 ( ) , 𝑠𝑢𝑏. 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝐸𝑞. 50
𝜈
3 𝑘
ℎ=
2 3 1/3
𝑥 4
0.975𝑃𝑟 −1/3 [1 − ( 𝑥𝑜 ) ] 4.64𝑥 (𝑅𝑒𝑥 )−0.5

3 −1/3
3 𝑘 𝑥𝑜 4
ℎ= 𝑃𝑟 +1/3 (𝑅𝑒𝑥 )+1/2 [1 − ( ) ]
2 (0.975 × 4.64)𝑥 𝑥

3 −1/3
ℎ𝑥 𝑥𝑜 4
= 0.332 𝑃𝑟 1/3 (𝑅𝑒𝑥 )1/2 [1 − ( ) ]
𝑘 𝑥

𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟 ℎ𝑥 𝑥

𝑁𝑢𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑡 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 = = 𝑁𝑢𝑥 =
𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑓𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑦 𝑙𝑎𝑦𝑒𝑟 𝑘

3 −1/3
ℎ𝑥 𝑥 𝑥𝑜 4 (51)
𝑁𝑢𝑥 = = 0.332 𝑃𝑟 1/3 (𝑅𝑒𝑥 )1/2 [1 − ( ) ]
𝑘 𝑥
for the plate heated over its entire length, xo =0. Therefore, the above equation becomes

3 −1/3
ℎ𝑥 𝑥 0 4
𝑁𝑢𝑥 = = 0.332 𝑃𝑟 1/3 (𝑅𝑒𝑥 )1/2 [1 − ( ) ]
𝑘 𝑥

𝑁𝑢𝑥 = 0.332 𝑃𝑟 1/3 𝑅𝑒𝑥 1/2 (52)

Equations 50, 51, and 52 express the local values of the heat-transfer coefficient in terms
of the distance from the leading edge of the plate and the fluid properties. For the case where xo
=0 the average heat-transfer coefficient and the Nusselt number may be obtained by integrating
over the length of the plate:

𝐿
∫0 ℎ𝑥 𝑑𝑥
ℎ̅ = 𝐿 = 2ℎ𝑥=𝐿 (53)
∫0 𝑑𝑥

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ℎ̅𝐿 (54)
̅̅̅̅𝐿 =
𝑁𝑢 = 2𝑁𝑢𝑥=𝐿
𝑘
ℎ̅𝐿 (55)
̅̅̅̅
𝑁𝑢𝐿 = = 0.664 𝑃𝑟 1/3 𝑅𝑒𝐿 1/2
𝑘
𝜌𝑢∞ 𝐿
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒, 𝑅𝑒𝐿 =
𝜇

Note that: The foregoing analysis was based on the assumption that the fluid properties were
constant throughout the flow. When there is an appreciable variation between the wall and free-
stream conditions, it is recommended that the properties be evaluated at the so-called film
temperature Tf, defined as the arithmetic mean between the wall and free-stream temperature as
follows:

𝑇𝑤 + 𝑇∞
𝑇𝑓 = (56)
2
Constant Heat Flux
The above analysis has considered the laminar heat transfer from an isothermal surface (i.e.
at constant temperature, Tw). In many practical problems, the surface heat flux is essentially
constant, and the objective is to find the distribution of the plate-surface temperature for given
fluid-flow conditions. For the constant-heat-flux case (𝑞𝑤 ), it can be shown that the local Nusselt
number is given by

𝑁𝑢𝑥 = 0.453 𝑅𝑒𝑥 1/2 𝑃𝑟1/3 (57)

ℎ𝑥
𝑆𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒, 𝑁𝑢𝑥 =
𝑘
𝑞𝑤
𝑞𝑤 = ℎ(𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) ⇒ ℎ = , 𝑏𝑦 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑤𝑒 𝑜𝑏𝑡𝑎𝑖𝑛
(𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ )

𝑞𝑤
ℎ𝑥 (𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) 𝑥 𝑞𝑤 𝑥 (58)
𝑁𝑢𝑥 = = =
𝑘 𝑘 𝑘(𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ )
The average temperature difference along the plate, for the constant-heat-flux condition,
may be obtained by performing the integration

1 𝐿 1 𝐿 𝑞𝑤 𝑥 𝑞𝑤 𝐿/𝑘
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ = ∫ (𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑑𝑥 = (59)
𝐿 0 𝐿 0 𝑘𝑁𝑢𝑥 0.6795 𝑃𝑟 1/3 𝑅𝑒𝐿 1/2

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Other Relations

Equation (52) is applicable to fluids having Prandtl numbers between about 0.6 and 50. It
would not apply to fluids with very low Prandtl numbers like liquid metals or to high-Prandtl-
number fluids like heavy oils or silicones. For a very wide range of Prandtl numbers, Churchill
and Ozoe 1973 have correlated a large amount of data to give the following relation for laminar
flow on an isothermal (i.e., at constant temperature) flat plate:

0.3387 𝑅𝑒𝑥 1/2 𝑃𝑟 1/3

𝑁𝑢𝑥 = 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑒𝑥 𝑃𝑟 > 100
2/3 1/4 (60)
0.0468
[1 + ( 𝑃𝑟 ) ]

For the constant-heat-flux case, 0.3387 is changed to 0.4637 and 0.0468 is changed to
0.0207. Properties are still evaluated at the film temperature.

Example 2: Air at 27◦C and 1 atm flows over a flat plate at a speed of 2 m/s. The plate is heated
over its entire length to a temperature of 60◦C. Calculate the heat transferred in (a) the first 20 cm
of the plate and (b) the first 40 cm of the plate. Assume unit depth in the z-direction.
Solution:
The total heat transfer over a certain length of the plate is desired; so, we wish to calculate
average heat-transfer coefficients. For this purpose, we need to evaluate the properties at the film
temperature.
Air
𝑇𝑤 + 𝑇∞ 60 + 27
𝑇𝑓 = = = 43.5𝑪𝒐 𝑻∞ = 𝟐𝟕 𝑪𝒐 𝒚
2 2
From Appendix A of heat transfer book 𝑷 = 𝟏 𝒂𝒕𝒎 𝜹𝟐𝟎 𝒄𝒎 ? 𝜹𝟒𝟎 𝒄𝒎 ?
𝒖∞ = 𝟐 𝒎/𝒔
(J.P. Holman), the physical properties of 𝒙
air are as follows:
𝑻𝒘 = 𝟔𝟎 𝑪𝒐
𝜈 = 17.36 × 10−6 𝑚2 /𝑠
𝑘 = 0.02749 𝑊 ⁄𝑚. 𝐶 𝑜
𝑃𝑟 = 0.7
𝐶𝑃 = 1.006 𝑘𝐽⁄𝑘𝑔. 𝐶 𝑜
We need to calculate Reynolds number
𝑢∞ 𝑥 (2)(0.2)
𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = 20 𝑐𝑚 𝑅𝑒𝑥 = = = 23041
𝜈 17.36 × 10−6
Since we have flat plate and flow is in laminar condition. Therefore, we can use the following equation

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ℎ𝑥 𝑥 1/2
𝑁𝑢𝑥 = = 0.332 𝑅𝑒𝑥 𝑃𝑟 1/3
𝑘
𝑁𝑢𝑥 = 0.332 (23041)1/2 (0.7)1/3 = 44.74
ℎ𝑥 𝑥 𝑘 0.02749
𝑁𝑢𝑥 = ⇒ ℎ𝑥 = 𝑁𝑢𝑥 ( ) = 44.74 ( ) = 6.15 𝑊 ⁄𝑚2 . 𝐶 𝑜
𝑘 𝑥 0.2
The average value of the heat-transfer coefficient is twice this value, or
𝐿
∫0 ℎ𝑥 𝑑𝑥
ℎ̅ = 𝐿 = 2ℎ𝑥=𝐿 = 2(6.15)𝑥=0.2 = 12.3 𝑊 ⁄𝑚2 . 𝐶 𝑜
∫0 𝑑𝑥
𝑞 = ℎ̅𝐴(𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) = (12.3 )(0.2 × 1)(60 − 27) = 81.2 𝑊
𝑢∞ 𝑥 (2)(0.4)
𝐴𝑡 𝑥 = 40 𝑐𝑚 𝑅𝑒𝑥 = = = 46083
𝜈 17.36 × 10−6
Since we have flat plate and flow is in laminar condition. Therefore, we can use the following equation
ℎ𝑥 𝑥 1/2
𝑁𝑢𝑥 = = 0.332 𝑅𝑒𝑥 𝑃𝑟 1/3
𝑘
𝑁𝑢𝑥 = 0.332 (46083)1/2 (0.7)1/3 = 63.28
ℎ𝑥 𝑥 𝑘 0.02749
𝑁𝑢𝑥 = ⇒ ℎ𝑥 = 𝑁𝑢𝑥 ( ) = 63.28 ( ) = 4.349 𝑊 ⁄𝑚2 . 𝐶 𝑜
𝑘 𝑥 0.4
The average value of the heat-transfer coefficient is twice this value, or
𝐿
∫0 ℎ𝑥 𝑑𝑥
ℎ̅ = 𝐿 = 2ℎ𝑥=𝐿 = 2(4.349)𝑥=0.4 = 8.69 𝑊 ⁄𝑚2 . 𝐶 𝑜
∫0 𝑑𝑥
𝑞 = ℎ̅𝐴(𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) = (8.69 )(0.4 × 1)(60 − 27) = 114.8 𝑊

Example 3: A 1.0-kW heater is constructed of a glass plate with an electrically conducting film
that produces a constant heat flux. The plate is 60 cm by 60 cm and placed in an airstream at 27◦C,
1 atm with u∞ =5 m/s. Calculate the average temperature difference along the plate and the
temperature difference at the trailing edge.

Solution:

Physical properties of air should be evaluated at the film temperature, but we do not know the plate
temperature. So, for an initial calculation, we take the properties at the free-stream conditions
(T∞=27◦C).

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From Appendix A of heat transfer book (J.P. Holman), the physical properties of air are as follows:
𝜈 = 15.69 × 10−6 𝑚2 /𝑠
𝑘 = 0.02624 𝑊 ⁄𝑚. 𝐶 𝑜
𝑃𝑟 = 0.708
We need to calculate Reynolds number
𝑢∞ 𝐿 (5)(0.6)
𝑅𝑒𝐿 = = = 191205
𝜈 15.69 × 10−6
𝑞 1000
𝑞𝑤 = = = 2778 𝑊 ⁄𝑚2
𝐴 (0.6 × 0.6)
1 𝐿 1 𝐿 𝑞𝑤 𝑥 𝑞𝑤 𝐿/𝑘
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ = ∫ (𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) 𝑑𝑥 = ∫ 𝑑𝑥 =
𝐿 0 𝐿 0 𝑘𝑁𝑢𝑥 0.6795 𝑃𝑟 1/3 𝑅𝑒𝐿 1/2
(2778 )(0.6)/(0.02624)
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ = = 240 𝐶𝑜
0.6795 (0.708)1/3 (191205)1/2
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ = 240 𝐶𝑜 = 𝑇𝑤 − 27 ⇒ 𝑇𝑤 = 267 𝐶𝑜
Now, we go back and evaluate the physical properties of air at the new film temperature as follows:
𝑇𝑤 + 𝑇∞ 267 + 27
𝑇𝑓 = = = 147 𝑪𝒐
2 2
From Appendix A of heat transfer book (J.P. Holman), the physical properties of air are as follows:
𝜈 = 28.22 × 10−6 𝑚2 /𝑠
𝑘 = 0.035 𝑊 ⁄𝑚. 𝐶 𝑜
𝑃𝑟 = 0.687
𝑢∞ 𝐿 (5)(0.6)
𝑅𝑒𝐿 = = = 106308
𝜈 28.22 × 10−6
𝑞𝑤 𝐿/𝑘 (2778 )(0.6)/(0.035)
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ = = = 243.5 𝐶𝑜
1/3 1/2 1/2
0.6795 𝑃𝑟 𝑅𝑒𝐿 1/3
0.6795 (0.687) (106308)
ℎ𝑥 𝑥 1/2
𝑁𝑢𝑥 = = 0.453 𝑅𝑒𝑥 𝑃𝑟 1/3 , 𝑓𝑜𝑟 Pr < 0.7
𝑘
𝑞𝑤 𝐿/𝑘 (2778 )(0.6)/(0.035)
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ = = = 365.4 𝐶𝑜
1/3 1/2 1/2
0.453 𝑃𝑟 𝑅𝑒𝐿 1/3
0.453 (0.687) (106308)

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Example 4: Engine oil at 20◦C is forced over a 20-cm-square plate at a velocity of 1.2 m/s. The
plate is heated to a uniform temperature of 60◦C. Calculate the heat lost by the plate.
Solution:
First, we evaluate the air properties at the film temperature
𝑇𝑤 + 𝑇∞ 60 + 20
𝑇𝑓 = = = 40 𝐶 𝑜
2 2 Engine oil
From Appendix A of heat transfer book 𝑻∞ = 𝟐𝟎 𝑪𝒐 𝒚
(J.P. Holman), the physical properties of 𝒖∞ = 𝟏. 𝟐 𝒎/𝒔

engine oil are as follows:

𝒙
3
𝜌 = 876 𝑘𝑔/𝑚
𝜈 = 0.00024 𝑚2 /𝑠 𝟐𝟎 𝒄𝒎 𝑻𝒘 = 𝟔𝟎 𝑪𝒐
𝑜
𝑘 = 0.144 𝑊 ⁄𝑚. 𝐶
𝑃𝑟 = 2870
At the trailing edge of the plate the Reynolds number is
𝑢∞ 𝐿 (1.2)(0.2)
𝑅𝑒𝐿 = = = 1000, 𝐿𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑒
𝜈 0.00024
Because the Prandtl number is so large we will employ the following equation for the solution.
0.3387 𝑅𝑒𝑥 1/2 𝑃𝑟1/3
𝑁𝑢𝑥 = 1/4
𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑅𝑒𝑥 𝑃𝑟 > 100
0.0468 2/3
[1 + ( 𝑃𝑟 ) ]

0.3387 (1000)1/2 (2870)1/3

𝑁𝑢𝑥 = 1/4
= 152.2
0.0468 2/3
[1 + ( 2870 ) ]

ℎ𝑥 𝑥 𝑘 0.144
𝑁𝑢𝑥 = ⇒ ℎ𝑥 = 𝑁𝑢𝑥 ( ) = 152.2 ( ) = 109.6 𝑊 ⁄𝑚2 . 𝐶 𝑜
𝑘 𝑥 0.2
𝐿
∫0 ℎ𝑥 𝑑𝑥
ℎ̅ = 𝐿 = 2ℎ𝑥=𝐿 = 2(109.6 )𝑥=0.2 = 219.2 𝑊 ⁄𝑚2 . 𝐶 𝑜
∫0 𝑑𝑥
𝑞 = ℎ̅𝐴(𝑇𝑤 − 𝑇∞ ) = (219.2 )(0.2 × 0.2)(60 − 20) = 350.6 𝑊

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