Laminar boundary layer numerical solutions

After the Burgers equation, the numerical analysis of the incompressible boundary layer equations for convection heat transfer are discussed. A few important numerical schemes are discussed. The classic solution for flow in a laminar boundary layer is then presented in the example. 

NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF THE LAMINAR BOUNDARY LAYER EQUATIONS... 

Numerically determine the heat transfer rate variation with two-dimensional laminar boundary layer air flow over a fiat plate with a uniform heat flux at the surface. Compare the numerical results with those given by the similarity solution. 

Solutions to the boundary layer equations are, today, generally obtained numerically [6],[7],[8],[9],[10],[11],[12]. In order to illustrate how this can be done, a discussion of how the simple numerical solution procedure for solving laminar boundary layer problems that was outlined in Chapter 5 can be modified to apply to turbulent boundary layer flows. For turbulent boundary layer flows, the equations given earlier in the present chapter can, because the fluid properties are assumed constant, be written as ... 

A numerical solution to the laminar boundary layer equations for natural convection can be obtained using basically the same method as applied to forced convection in Chapter 3. Because the details are similar to those given in Chapter 3, they will not be repeated here. 

Problem 10-9. Translating Flat Plate. Consider the high-Reynolds-number laminar boundary-layer flow over a semi-infinite flat plate that is moving parallel to its surface at a constant speed (7 in an otherwise quiescent fluid. Obtain the boundary-layer equations and the similarity transformation for f (r ). Is the solution the same as for uniform flow past a semi-infinite stationary plate Why or why not Obtain the solution for f (this must be done numerically). If the plate were truly semi-infinite, would there be a steady solution at any finite time (Hint. If you go far downstream from the leading edge of the flat plate, the problem looks like the Rayleigh problem from Chap. 3). For an arbitrarily chosen time T, what is the regime of validity of the boundary-layer solution ... 

Many numerical and series solutions for the laminar boundary layer model of mass transfer are available for situations such as flow in coeduits under conditions of fully developed or developing concentration or velocity profiles. Skellaed31 provides a particularly good summary of these results. The laminar boundary layer model has been extended to predict tha effects of high mass transfer flux on the mass transfer coefficient from a flat plate. The results of this work ate shown in Fig. 2.4-2 and. in com rest to the other theories, iedicate a Schmith number dependence of Ihe correction factor. 

Blasius solution for the laminar boundary layer on a flat plate, shown in Fig. 11.3, rests on a considerable string of assumptions and simplifications. However, it has been tested by numerous investigators and found to represent the experimental data very well (note that Fig. 11.3 shows the comparison between Blasius solution and Nikuradse s experimental data). Thus, these assumptions and simplifications seem to be justified. 

Blasius steady-flow, laminar, flat-plate, boundary-layer solution is a numerical solution of his simplification of Prandtl s boundary-layer equations, which are a simplified, one-dimensional momentum balance and a mass balance. This type of solution is known in the boundary-layer literature as an exact solution. Exact solutions can be found for only a very limited number of cases. Therefore, approximate methods are available for making reasonable estimates of the behavior of laminar boundary layers (Prob. 11.8). 

More rigorous numerical solutions for the laminar boundary layers of power-law and other time-independent fluids flowing over plane surfaces and objects... 

When flow occurs about a sphere the solution to tins forced convection mass transfer problem is quite complex because of the complexity of the flow field. At low flow rates (creqiiiig flow) a laminar boundary layer exists about the sphere which separates from die surface at an at ular porition and moves lowani the forward stagnation point as the flow rate increases. Wake fimnation occurs st the tear of the sphere. At still higher flow rates transition to a turbulent boundary layer occurs. Solutions to the problem of mass transfer during creeping flow about a sphere (Re < 1) have been developed by a nombw of authors with the numerical solutions of Brian and Hales being perhaps the most extensive. Their result is... 

Figure 5. Exact (numerical solution, continuous line) and linearised (equation (24), dotted line) velocity profile (i.e. vy of the fluid at different distances x from the surface) at y = 10-5 m in the case of laminar flow parallel to an active plane (Section 4.1). Parameters Dt = 10 9m2 s-1, v = 10-3ms-1, and v = 10-6m2s-1. The hydrodynamic boundary layer thickness (<50 = 5 x 10 4 m), equation (26), where 99% of v is reached is shown with a horizontal double arrow line. For comparison, the normalised concentration profile of species i, ct/ithe linear profile of the diffusion layer approach (continuous line) and its thickness (<5, = 3 x 10 5m, equation (34)) have been added. Notice that the linearisation of the exact velocity profile requires that <5,

Some of the commonly used methods for obtaining solutions to problems involving laminar external flows have been discussed in this chapter. Many such problems can be treated with adequate accuracy using the boundary layer equations and similar ity integral and numerical methods of solving these equations have been discussed. A brief discussion of the solution of the full governing equations has also been presented. 

Boundary-layer theory has been applied to solve the heat-transfer problem in forced convection laminar flow along a heated plate. The method is described in detail in numerous textbooks (El, G5, S3). Some exact solutions and approximate solutions are also obtained (B2, S3). 

Equations for concentration polarization have been derived for simple cases such as laminar flow of feed solution between parallel plates or inside hollow fibers. " Numerical solutions were required because of the developing concentration boundary layer and the gradual decrease in solution flow rate as permeation occurs. Exact solutions arc not available for the more important cases of flow outside hollow fibers or in the channels of a spiral-wound module, but an approximate analysis may still be helpful. 

Numerical solution of the mass transfer equation begins at a small nonzero value of z = Zstart, uot at the inlet where Cp, x, y,z = 0) = Ca, miet for all values of x and y. This is achieved by invoking an asymptotically exact analytical solution for the molar density of reactant A from laminar mass transfer boundary layer theory in the limit of very large Schmidt and Peclet numbers. The boundary layer starting profile is valid under the following condition ... 

Gas flow through the small channels of a honeycomb matrix is nearly always laminar, and analytical solutions are available for heat and mass transfer for fully developed laminar flow in smooth tubes. In the inlet region, where the boundary layers are developing, the coefficients are higher, and numerical solutions were combined with the analytical solution for fully developed flow and fitted to a semitheoretical equation [14] ... 

The solutions to Navier-Stokes equations are typically very difficult to arrive at. This fact is attested to by the extraordinary development of numerical computation in fluid mechanics. Only a few exact analytical solutions are known for Navier-Stokes equations. We present in this chapter some laminar flow solutions whose interpretation per se is essential in this regard. We then introduce the boundary layer concept. We conclude the chapter with a discussion on the uniqueness of solutions to Navier-Stokes equations, with special reference to the phenomenon of turbulence. 

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