Similarity solution

About: Similarity solution is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2074 publications have been published within this topic receiving 59790 citations.

A moving-wall boundary layer with reverse flow

Abstract: The problem of uniform flow past a flat plate whose surface has a constant velocity λU opposite in direction to that of the mainstream is considered for large values of the Reynolds number R. In a previous communication (Klemp & Acrivos 1972) it was shown that, if the region of reverse flow which is established next to the plate as a consequence of its motion is O(R−1/2) in thickness, the appropriate laminar boundary-layer equations have a solution provided λ ≤ 0·3541. Here the analysis is extended to the range λ > 0·3541, which cannot be treated using a conventional boundary-layer approach. Specifically, it is found that for λ > 0·3541 the flow consists of three overlapping domains: (a) the external uniform flow; (b) a conventional boundary layer with reverse flow for xs 1.Also, detailed streamline patterns were obtained numerically for various λ's in the range of 0 ≤ λ ≤ 2 using a novel computational scheme which was found to be more efficient than that previously reported. Interestingly enough, the drag first decreased with λ, reached a minimum at λ = 0.3541, and then increased monotonically until, at λ = 2, it was found to have attained essentially the value predicted from the asymptotic λ → ∞ similarity solution available in the literature. Thus it is felt that the present numerical results plus the two similarity solutions for λ = 0 and for λ → ∞ fully describe the high-R steady flow for all non-negative values of λ.

Aiding flows non-unique similarity solutions of mixed-convection boundary-layer equations

Abstract: The similarity equations for mixed-convection boundary-layer flow past a wedge having one of its surfaces parallel to the horizontal are derived for the latter surface. Both cases of prescribed wall temperature and heat flux are considered. It is shown that non-unique solutions exist for aiding (α > 0) as well as opposing flows (α 0 in addition to those already reported in the literature for α < 0. Namely, these correspond to vertical flat plate and vertical cylinder problems.

Similarity solutions to viscous flow and heat transfer of nanofluid over nonlinearly stretching sheet

Abstract: The boundary-layer flow and heat transfer in a viscous fluid containing metallic nanoparticles over a nonlinear stretching sheet are analyzed. The stretching velocity is assumed to vary as a power function of the distance from the origin. The governing partial differential equation and auxiliary conditions are reduced to coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations with the appropriate corresponding auxiliary conditions. The resulting nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are solved numerically. The effects of various relevant parameters, namely, the Eckert number Ec, the solid volume fraction of the nanoparticles ϕ, and the nonlinear stretching parameter n are discussed. The comparison with published results is also presented. Different types of nanoparticles are studied. It is shown that the behavior of the fluid flow changes with the change of the nanoparticles type.