Effect of variable viscosity on free convection in a vertical rectangular duct. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Umavathi, J.C.; Ojjela, Odelu
• Is Part Of: International journal of heat and mass transfer. Volume 84(2015:May)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 15
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Free convection -- Variable viscosity -- Temperature distribution -- Finite difference method -- Rectangular duct; Heat -- Transmission -- Periodicals; Mass transfer -- Periodicals; Chaleur -- Transmission -- Périodiques; Transfert de masse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 621.4022
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2014.12.066
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-9310

Abstract

Abstract: This paper considers the heat transfer in a vertical rectangular duct filled with Newtonian fluid. The viscosity of the fluid is assumed to depend on the temperature. The governing fundamental equations are approximated by a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations and are solved numerically by using the finite difference method. The steady-state velocity and temperature contours are shown graphically. Numerical results for the skin friction, volumetric flow rate and the rate of heat transfer are obtained and reported in a tabular form for various parametric conditions to show interesting aspects of the solution. The results show that the negative values of viscosity variation parameter show intense velocity contour in the lower half region of the duct whereas positive values of viscosity variation parameter show the intense velocity contours in the upper half region of the duct. The temperature contours remain almost linear for any variations of governing parameters for all values of viscosity variation parameter.