Example momentum boundary layer problem

Calculate the conditions for air flow boundary layer over a flat plate for (a) laminar flow
conditions, (b) transition flow conditions and (c) turbulent flow conditions. Assume that the air
is at 300 K with ν = 1.57 × 10-5 m2/s. For each condition estimate the length of plate over
which the boundary layer extends and the boundary layer thickness for each case.
Solution
U o x Lam
Laminar behaviour occurs with a Reynolds number (x < xLam), N Re = < 5 ×10 5 ,
ν
∴ x Lam <
5 ×10 5 ν
=
( ) (
5 ×10 5 × 1.57 ×10 -5 ) =
7.85
Uo Uo Uo

And δ U = 4.64 ν x Lam Uo

The transition regime occurs for 5 × 105 ≤ NRe ≤ 107 and turbulent behaviour for NRe > 107,

∴x >
ν ×10 7
=
( )
1.57 ×10 -5 ×10 7 157
=
Turb
Uo Uo Uo

Boundary layer thickness for turbulent flow wasn’t covered directly in the course notes, but you

can find different references for this parameter – a typical value is δ U = 0.381 ( N Re, x )
−1 5
x.

(a) For laminar flow, x < 7.85/Uo, δ U = 4.64 ν x Lam Uo

(b) For transition flow, 7.85/Uo < x < 157/Uo, reliable values of δ U aren’t commonly
available – interpolate values from laminar to turbulent conditions.
(c) For turbulent flow, x > 157/Uo, δ U = 0.381 ( N Re, x )
−1 5
x.

Example heat transfer boundary layer problem

A plane surface, 25 cm wide, has its temperature maintained at 80°C. Atmospheric air, at 25°C,
flows parallel to the surface with a velocity of 2.8 m/s. For a 1 meter length of the plate,
determine the total heat transfer rate from the plate to the air stream.
Solution
At 25°C, ρ air = 1.18 kg/m3 and µ air = 1.19 × 10-5 kg/m-s, giving (ν = µ /ρ ) ν air = 1.55 × 10-5
m2/s.
U L 2.8 ×1
∴ N Re = o = = 1.8 ×10 5 and the flow is laminar over the plate.
ν 1.55 ×10 -5

h L
N Nu, L = L = 0.646 N 1Re,2 L N 1Pr3 with NPr = ν /α ≅ 0.70 and k = 2.6 × 10-2 W/m-K for air at
k
25°C
 2.6 ×10 -2
h L = 0.646
k 12
L
N Re, L N 1Pr3 = 0.646
1.0
(
1.8 ×10 5
12
)
( 0.70 )1 3 = 6.3 W/m 2 K
∴q = h L A (Tplate − Tair ) = 6.3 ×0.25 ×1.0 (80 - 25 )
q =87 W
Example mass transfer problem
If a local Sherwood number for the laminar boundary layer (based on an exact analysis) that is
formed over a flat plate is
k x
NSh, x = M, x = 0.332 N1Re,2 x N1Sc3
D
And for the turbulent boundary layer is
k x
N Sh, x = M, x = 0.0292 N 4Re,5 x N1Sc3
D
(a) Find the value of the mass transfer coefficient at a point where NRe = 70,000.
(b) Find the average mass transfer coefficient for the flat plate from the leading edge to the
point where NRe = 70,000.
(c) Find the average mass transfer coefficient for the flat plate from the leading edge to the
point where NRe = 700,000.
Solution
(a) When NRe = 70,000, the flow is laminar and
k M, x x
NSh, x = = 0.332 N1Re,2 x N1Sc3
D
13 13
D 12  ν  Dν ν1 3 D 2 3
= 0.332 × ( 70000 ) 12
∴ k M, x = 0.332 N Re, x     = 87.8
x D  x D x
L L 12 13
1 1 D  Uox   ν 
(b) k M, L = ∫ k M, x dx = ∫ 0.332     dx
L0 L0 x  ν  D

 D 2 3 ν1 3  12  D 2 3 ν1 3   D 2 3 ν1 3 
k M, L = 0.664 ×
 L
 N
 Re, L = 0.664 × 
 L  ( 70000
 )1 2 =176 
 L


     

k M, x x
(c) N Sh, x = = 0.0292 N 4Re,5 x N1Sc3
D
L L 45 13
1 1 D  Uo x  ν
k M, L =
L0∫ k M, x dx = ∫
L 0
0.0292 
x  ν 
  
D
dx

 D 2 3 ν1 3  45  D 2 3 ν1 3   D 2 3 ν1 3 
k M, L = 0.0365 ×
 L

 N Re, L = 0.0365 × 
 L  ( 700000
 ) 4 5 =1731 
 L


     