CHAPTER 7

FREE CONVECTION
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Features and Parameters of Free Convection
(1) Driving Force.
x Requirements
(i) Gravitational field
(ii) Density change with temperature
(2) Governing Parameters. Two parameters:
(i) Grashof number
Grashof number = GrL

E g (Ts  Tf ) L3
Q2

(7.1)

(ii) Prandtl number

x E is the Coefficient of thermal expansion, also known as compressibility factor.
For ideal gases it is given by

1 , for ideal gas

T

(2.21)

x Rayleigh number
Ra L

GrL Pr

E g (Ts  Tf ) L3

Pr =

E g (Ts  Tf ) L3
D

(7.2)

(3) Boundary Layer.

x Flow: Laminar, turbulent, or mixed.

x Boundary layer approximations are valid for Rax ! 10 4.
(4) Transition from Laminar to Turbulent Flow.

x For vertical plates: transition Rayleigh number, Rax t , is

Rax t | 10 9

(7.3)

(5) External vs. Enclosure Free Convection.

(i) External free convection: surface is immersed in infinite medium.

(ii) Enclosure free convection. Free convection takes place inside closed volumetric regions.
(6) Analytic Solutions.

x Velocity and temperature fields are coupled.

x Momentum and energy equation must be solved simultaneously.

2
7.3 Governing Equations

Approximations:
(1) Constant density, except in evaluating gravity forces.
(2) The Boussinesq approximation (relates density change to temperature change).
(3) No dissipation.
x Continuity, momentum, and energy equations are obtained from equations (2.2),
(2.29) and (2.19), respectively
wu wv

wx wy
u

wu
wu
v
wx
wy
u

E g (T  Tf ) 

wv
wv
v
wx
wy
u

(7.4)

1 w
w 2u w 2u
( p  pf )  v ( 2  2 )
U f wx
wx
wy

1 w
w 2v w 2v
( p  pf )  v ( 2  2 )
U f wy
wx
wy

wT
wT
v
wx
wy

w 2T

wx

w 2T

wy 2

x Continuity equation (7.4) is unchanged

x x-component of the Navier-Stokes equations simplifies to
wu
wu
v
wx
wy

g T  Tf   v

w 2u
wy 2

(7.8)

x Energy equation (7.7)

u

wT
wT
v
wx
wy

w 2T
wy 2

(7.9)

x (7.4), (7.8), and (7.9) contain three unknowns: u, v, and T.

x Momentum and energy are coupled.
7.4 Laminar Free Convection over a Vertical Plate: Uniform Surface Temperature

x Uniform temperature Ts (Fig. 7.1).

x Infinite fluid at temperature Tf .
x Determine: velocity and temperature distribution.
7.4.1 Assumptions. Note all assumptions listed in this section.
7.4.2 Governing Equations

(7.6)

(7.7)

7.3.1 Boundary Layer Equations

(7.5)

3
wu wv

wx wy
u

wu
wu
v
wx
wy

g T  Tf   v

wT
wT
v
wy
wx

(7.4)

w 2u
wy 2

w 2T
wy 2

(7.8)
(7.10)

where T is defined as
T  Tf
Ts  Tf

(7.11)

7.4.3 Boundary Conditions.

Velocity:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

u ( x,0) 0
v( x,0) 0
u ( x, f ) 0
u (0, y ) 0

Temperature:
(5) T ( x,0) 1
(6) T ( x, f) 0
(7) T (0, y ) 0
7.4.4 Similarity Transformation. Introduce the similarity variable K
1/ 4

Grx

y
x

(7.14)

where

E g (Ts  Tf ) x 3

Grx

(7.15)

Let

 ( x, y )  (K )

(7.16)

Grx d[
x dK

2v

(Grx )1/ 4
x

(7.20)

Continuity gives
v

1/ 4

(4)

d[

K dK  3[

(7.21)

(7.20) and (7.21) into (7.8) and (7.10) and using (7.11) and (7.16), gives
d 3[

d 2[

d[
 T
 3[
 2
3
2
dK
dK
dK

(7.22)

4
d 2T
dK

 3Pr[

dT
dK

(7.23)

Transformation of boundary conditions:

Velocity:
d[ (0)
0
dK
(2) [ (0) 0
d[ ( f )
0
(3)
dK
d[ ( f )
0
(4)
dK
(1)

Temperature:
(1) T (0) 1
(2) T (f) 0
(3) T (f) 0
x The problem is characterized by a
single parameter which is the Prandtl
number.
7.4.5 Solution.

x (7.22) and (7.23) and their

five boundary conditions are
solved numerically.
x The solution is presented
graphically in Figs. 7.2 and
7.3. Fig. 7.2 gives the

7.4.6 Heat Transfer Coefficient and Nusselt Number.

Fouriers law and Newtons law:

wT ( x,0)
wy
Ts  Tf

k
h

(7.24)

Express in terms of T and K

 k dT dT (0) wK
Ts  Tf dT dK wy

Use(7.11) and (7.14)

h

 k Grx
x 4

1/ 4

dT (0)
dK

(7.25)

Local Nusselt number

Gr
 x
4

hx
k

Nu x

1/ 4

dT (0)
dK

(7.26)

Average h
1
L

Table 7.1 [1,2]

h( x)dx

(2.50)

(7.25) into (2.50), and performing the integration

1/ 4

4 k GrL


3 L 4

dT (0)
dK

(7.27)

Average Nusselt number is

Nu L

hL
k

4 Gr
 L
3 4

1/ 4

dT (0)
dK

(7.28)

x Solution depends on a single parameter which is the

Prandtl number.
d T ( 0)
x Numerical solution gives
, listed in Table 7.1.
dK
Special Cases
x Very small and very large Prandtl numbers:
Nu x
Nu x

0.600 ( PrRa x )1/4 ,

0.503 ( PrGrx )1/4 ,

Pr o 0
Pr o f

(7.29a)
(7.29b)

7.5 Laminar Free Convection over a Vertical Plate: Uniform

Surface Heat Flux

x Assumptions: Same as constant temperature plate.

Pr

_ dT (0)
dK

0.01 0.0806
0.03 0.136
0.09 0.219
0.442
0.5
0.72 0.5045
0.733 0.508
1.0
0.5671
1.5
0.6515
0.7165
2.0
0.8558
3.5
5.0
0.954
7.0
1.0542
10
1.1649
100
2.191
1000 3.9660

d 2[ (0)
dK 2

0.9862

0.676
0.6741
0.6421
0.5713

0.4192
0.2517
0.1450

6
x Surface boundary conditions
k

wT ( x,0)
wy

q csc

(7.30)

x Surface flux is specified.

x Determine: Surface temperature Ts (x) and local Nusselt number Nu x .
x Solution by similarity transformation.
Solution:

x Surface temperature
2 (q csc ) 4
x
 5
4

E g k

Ts ( x)  Tf

1/ 5

T (0)

(7.31)

x Local Nusselt number

E g q cc
 2 s x4
5 k

Nu x

1/ 5

1
T (0)

(7.32)
Table 7.2 [4]

x T (0) is a dimensionless parameter which depends on the

Prandtl number and is given in Table 7.2 [4].
x Correlation equation for T (0)
1/ 2

T (0)

4  9 Pr  10 Pr


5 Pr 2

1/ 5

, 0.001  Pr  1000

(7.33)

Properties at the film temperature T f

Tf

>Tf  Ts (L / 2)@ / 2

7.34)

7.6 Inclined Plates

x Vertical plate solutions of Sections 7.4 and 7.5 apply

to inclined plates, with g replaced by g cos T .
x This approach is recommended for T d 60 o .
7.7 Integral Method
7.7.1 Integral Formulation of Conservation of Momentum

x Assume:

Gt

(a)

Pr
0.1
1.0

T ( 0)

10

- 2.7507
- 1.3574
- 0.76746

100

- 0.46566

7
x Application of the momentum theorem in the x-direction to the element G u dx , Fig.
7.6

Fx

M x (out )  M x (in )

(b)

G u dx is enlarged in Fig. 7.7

Mx 

dM x
dx
dx

pG 

d
( pG )dx
dx

dy

W o dx dx
M x dW Ugdxdy

( p  dp / 2)dG

pG

Fig. 7.7

dp
d

pG  p  dG  pG   pG dx  W o dx 
2
dx

dM x

dx  M x
M x 
dx

(c)

Simplify
 G dp  W o dx  dW

Wall shearing stress

Wo

dM x
dx
dx

(d)

wu  x,0 
wy

(e)

Weight of element
G

dW

dx

U g dy

(f)

The x-momentum of the fluid entering element

G ( x)

Mx

u 2 dy

(g)

(e), (f) and (g) into (d)

dp
wu  x,0 
P
G

dx
wy

Ugdy
0

d
U
dx

u dy
2

(h)

Combine pressure and gravity terms

dp dp f
#
dx
dx

Uf g

(i)

8
Multiply by G and rewrite as integral
dp
G
dx

 U f gG

(j)

 U f gdy
0

(j) into (h)

wu  x,0 
P
g
wy

G
( U f  U )dy

d
U
dx

G
u 2 dy

(k)

Express density difference in terms of temperature change

Uf  U

UE (T  Tf )

(2.28)

(2.28) into (k)



G
wu ( x,0)
 E g (T  Tf ) dy
wy
0

d
dx

u 2 dy

(7.35)

x (7.35) applies to laminar as well as turbulent flow.

7.7.2 Integral Formulation of Conservation of Energy

Assume:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

No changes in kinetic and potential energy

Negligible axial conduction
Negligible dissipation
Properties are constant
x Forced convection formulation of conservation of energy, (5.7), is applicable to free
convection
wT  x,0 
D
wy

d
dx

G ( x)

u (T  Tf )dy

(7.36)

7.7.3 Integral Solution

x Vertical plate, Fig. 7.6.

x Uniform surface temperature Ts .
x We assumed G | G t . Thus we have two equations, (7.35) and (7.36) for the
determination of a single unknown G .
x Since both (7.35) and (7.36) must be satisfied, we introduce another unknown as
follows:
Assumed Velocity Profile:

u  x, y  a0 ( x)  a1 ( x) y  a 2 ( x) y 2  a3 ( x) y 3
x Boundary conditions on the velocity
(1) u ( x,0)

(2) u ( x, G ) | 0

(a)

9
(3)

(4)

wu ( x, G )
|0
wy
w 2 u ( x,0)
wy

Eg
(Ts  Tf )
Q

x Applying the four boundary conditions gives an . Equation (a) becomes

u

E g (Ts  Tf ) 2 y y
G 1 

4
G G

(b)

Let
E g (Ts  Tf ) 2
G

u o ( x)

(c)

(b) becomes
2

y y
1
u uo ( x)
G G
x Treat uo (x) as the second unknown function, independent of G .

(7.37)

Assumed Temperature Profile:

T ( x, y )

b0 ( x)  b1 ( x) y  b2 ( x) y 2

(d)

The boundary conditions are

(1) T ( x,0) Ts
(2) T ( x, G ) | Tf
wT ( x, G )
(3)
|0
wy
Application of the above boundary conditions gives
y
T ( x, y ) Tf  (Ts  Tf ) 1 
G
Heat Transfer Coefficient and Nusselt Number

wT ( x,0)
wy
Ts  Tf

(7.38)

k
h

(7.24)

(7.38) into (7.24)

h

2k
G ( x)

(7.39)

Thus the local Nusselt number is

Nu x
x Must find and uo (x) and G (x).

hx
k

x
G ( x)

(7.40)

10
Solution

(7.37) and (7.38) into (7.35)



uo

 E g (Ts  Tf )

d u o2

dx G 2

y
1  G dy

y
y 2 1  dy
G

(e)

Evaluate the integrals

> @

u
1
g Ts  Tf   o
3

1 d 2
uo
105 dx

(7.41)

(7.37) and (7.38) into (7.36)

2D (Ts  Tf )

d uo
(Ts  Tf )

dx G

G ( x)

y
y 1  dy
G

(f)

Evaluate the integrals

1 d
>uoG @ D 1
G
60 dx

(7.42)

x (7.41) and (7.42) are two equation for G (x) and uo (x).
x Assume a solution of the form
uo ( x)

Ax m

(7.43)

G ( x)

Bx n

(7.44)

x A, B, m and n are constants.

x substitute (7.43) and (7.44) into (7.41) and (7.42)
2m  n 2 2 mn1
A Bx
105

A
1
Eg To  Tf Bx n  v x mn
B
3

mn
1
ABx m  n 1 D x n
B
210

(7.45)
(7.46)

x Exponents in each equation must be identical. Thus

2m  n  1 n

mn

(g)

m  n  1 n

(h)

x Solve (g) and (h) for m and n gives

m

1
, n
2

1
4

(i)

x (i) into (7.45) and (7.46) gives A and B

20

A 5.17v Pr 
21

and

1 / 2

E g (Ts  Tf )

v2

1/ 2

(l)

11
1/ 4

20

B 3.93 Pr -1/2 Pr 
21

E g (Ts  Tf )

v2

1 / 4

(m)

(i) and (m) into (7.44)

20 1

 1
3.93
21 Pr

1/ 4

( Ra x )  1/ 4

(7.47)

(7.47) into (7.40)

20 1

 1
0.508
21 Pr

Nu x

1 / 4

( Ra x )1 / 4

(7.48)

7.7.4 Comparison with Exact Solution for Nusselt Number

x (7.26) is the exact solution to the local Nusselt number

Nu x

Gr
 x
4

1/ 4

dT (0)
dK

(7.26)

x Rewrite (7.26) as
Grx
4

1 / 4

Nu x

dT (0)
dK

(7.49)

x Rewrite (7.48)
Grx
4

1 / 4

Nu x

20 1

 1
0.508
21 Pr

x The right hand side of (7.49) and (7.50) are

compared in Table 7.3.
x The exact solution for Pr o 0
Nu x

exact

0.600 ( PrRa x )1/4 , Pr o 0

integral

0.514( PrRa x )1 / 4 , Pr o 0

(7.51a)

x Exact and integral solutions for Pr o f are

Nu x

exact

Nu x

integral

0.503 ( Ra x )1/4 ,

(4 Pr )1/ 4

(7.50)
Table 7.3

Pr

_ dT (0)

0.01
0.03
0.09
0.5
0.72
0.733
1.0
1.5
2.0
3.5
5.0
7.0
10
100
1000

0.0806
0.136
0.219
0.442
0.5045
0.508
0.5671
0.6515
0.7165
0.8558
0.954
1.0542
1.1649
2.191
3.9660

dK

20 1

 1
0.508
21 Pr

1 / 4

(7.29a)

x Applying integral solution (7.47) to Pr o 0

Nu x

1 / 4

Pr o f

(7.29b)

0.508( Ra x )1 / 4 , Pr o f

(7.51b)

NOTE: The error ranges from 1% for Pr o f to

14% for Pr o 0 .

0.0725
0.1250
0.2133
0.213
0.4627
0.5361
0.5399
0.6078
0.7031
0.7751
0.9253
1.0285
1.1319
1.2488
2.2665
4.0390

(4 Pr )1/4