Free Convection From a Vertical Plate With Discontinuous Wall Temperature

Abstract

Free convection from a vertical plate with a step discontinuity in wall temperature is analyzed by using asymptotic series. Expansions for the velocity and temperature profiles are obtained in the region immediately above the discontinuity. By series truncation, the wall heat flux is obtained in terms of a simple polynomial. Calculations are made for Pr = 0.72 and 10.0 and for various wall-temperature ratios. Comparison of the results with experimental data and previous numerical solutions is good.