Oscillatory Free Convection about a Horizontal Circular Cylinder in the Presence of Heat Generation

Abstract

The oscillatory free convection about a horizontal circular cylinder in a Newtonian fluid in the presence of heat generation is investigated numerically by using the finite difference method. The surface temperature of the cylinder oscillates harmonically about the temperature of the surrounding medium. Heat is generated internally within the Newtonian fluid at a rate proportional to a power of the temperature difference. It is found that the presence of heat generation significantly increases the temperature and velocity distribution. The effects of the heat generation parameter and the Prandtl number on the surface rate of heat transfer, in terms of the local Nusselt number, and the surface shear stress, in terms of the local skin friction, are shown graphically from the stagnation point of the circular cylinder.