Problem Sheet # 2

(External Forced Convection)

Q1. Air at 27◦C and 1 atm flows over a flat plate at a speed of 2 m/s. Calculate the boundary-
layer thickness at distances of 20 cm and 40 cm from the leading edge of the plate. Calculate
the mass flow that enters the boundary layer between x=20 cm and x=40 cm. The viscosity of
air at 27◦C is 1.85×10−5 kg/m· s. Assume unit depth in the z direction.
(Ans: x1 = 0.00582m, x2 = 0.00823 m, ∆mdot = 3.531x10-3 kg/s)

Q2. For the flow system in Q1 (above) assume that the plate is heated over its entire length
to a temperature of 60◦C. Calculate the heat transferred in (a) the first 20 cm of the plate and (b)
the first 40 cm of the plate.
(Ans: qx1 = 81.18 W, qx2 = 114.8 W)

Q3. A 1.0-kW heater is constructed of a glass plate with an electrically conducting film that
produces a constant heat flux. The plate is 60 cm by 60 cm and placed in an airstream at 27◦C,
1 atm with u∞ =5 m/s. Calculate the average temperature difference along the plate.
(Ans: 243 degC)

Q4. Air at 1 atm and 300 K flows across a 20-cm-square plate at a free-stream velocity of 20
m/s. The last half of the plate is heated to a constant temperature of 350 K. Calculate the heat
lost by the plate.
(Ans: q = 425.7 W)

Q5. Engine oil at 20◦C is forced over a 20-cm-square plate at a velocity of 1.2 m/s. The plate
is heated to a uniform temperature of 60◦C. Calculate the heat lost by the plate.
(Ans: q = 350.6W)

Q6. For the flow system in Q2 (above) compute the drag force exerted on the first 40 cm of
the plate using the analogy between fluid friction and heat transfer.
(Ans: D = 5.44mN)

Q7. Air at 20◦C and 1 atm flows over a flat plate at 35 m/s. The plate is 75 cm long and is
maintained at 60◦C. Assuming unit depth in the z direction, calculate the heat transfer from the
plate.
(Ans: q = 2373 W)

Q8. Calculate the turbulent-boundary-layer thickness at the end of the plate for Q7,
assuming that it develops (a) from the leading edge of the plate and (b) from the transition point.
(Ans: (a) δ = 16.5mm, (b) δ = 9.9 mm)

Q9. A compressor disc of stainless steel (AISI 316) having radius 0.3m is rotating at 15000
rev/min in air at 5 bar and 400 degC. Determine flow conditions at outer radius of disc. If surface
temperature is 800 degC determine the heat transfer rate at centre and outer surface.
(Ans: (a) ReD = 1.12x107 flow is turbulent)

Q10. A 1 kW central heating radiator 1.5m long and 0.6m high with a surface temperature of
80 degC is disspating heat by radiation ad convection into a room at 20 degC (If k = 0.026W/m-
K assume black body radiation). Determine Nusselt number for the convective system.
(Ans: 249)
Q11. An electrically heated thin foil of length L = 25mm and width W = 8mm is to be used as a
manometer. Wind with a temperature T∞ and velocity U∞ blows parallel to longest side. The foil
is internally heated by an electric heater dissipating q (watts) from both sides and is to be
operated in air with T∞ = 20oC, Cp = 1.005 kJ/kg-K, ν = 1.522x10-5 m2/s, ρ = 1.19 kg/m3 and Pr
= 0.72. Estimate the wind speed when Ts = 32 degC and q = 0.5W.
(Ans: 18.3 m/s)

Q12. Consider the case of laminar boundary layer in external forced convection undergoing
transition to a turbulent boundary layer. For a constant fluid to wall temperature difference, the
local Nusselt numbers are given by:
Nux=0.3Rex1/2Pr1/3 (for Rex<5x105)
Nux=0.04Rex0.8Pr1/3 (for Rex≥5x105)
Show that for a plate of length “L” the average Nusselt number is:
Nuav=(0.05ReL0.8-1388)Pr1/3

Q13. A printed circuit board dissipates 100W from one side over an area 0.3m by 0.2m. A fan
is used to cool this board with flow speed of 12m/s parallel to the longest dimension of the
board. Using the average Nusselt number relationship of Q12 (above) calculate the surface
temperature of the board for an air temperature of 30oC at 1 bar.
(Ans: Ts = 62.6oC)

Q14. A pitot tube located on the undercarriage of an airship 0.1m aft of its leading edge, is to
be used to monitor airspeed which varies from 32 to 130 kph. Assuming that the undercarriage
is approximately flat, making the pressure gradient negligible. Outside air temperature is 4 degC
and 8.4x104 N/m2. The pitot tube should be placed outside the boundary layer. Determine the
distance at which the Pitot tube be located from under carriage.
(Ans: Y > 2.15x10-3 m)

Q15. Determine the skin friction drag on a im long by 60 cm diameter cylinder, located axially
in a wind tunnel, when the air speed is 4.5 m/s. The pressure is atmospheric and temperature is
50oC.
(Ans: 5.70x10-2N)

Q16. Castor oil at 38 degC flows over a wide 6m long heated plate at 0.06 m/s. For a surface
temperature of 93 degC. Assuming thermal diffusivity to be 7.22x10-8 m2/s and thermal
conductivity to be 0.213 W/m-K at film temperature, determine: (also get viscosity & density
from instructor)
(a) Hydrodynamic BL thickness at end of plate
(b) Total drag on surface per unit width
(c) Thermal BL thickness at end of plate
(d) Local heat transfer coeff at end of plate
(e) Total heat flux from surface per unit width