The Development of Free Convection Between Heated Vertical Plates

Abstract

The development of free convection in a viscous fluid between heated vertical plates is investigated. The basic governing continuity, momentum, and energy equations are expressed in finite difference form and solved numerically on a digital computer. Results are obtained for the variations of velocity, temperature, and pressure throughout the flow field assuming the fluid to enter the channel with ambient temperature and a flat velocity profile. The flow and heat-transfer characteristics of the channel are studied and a development height established. A comparison is made between the results of this theoretical investigation and the experimental work of Elenbaas.