Non-Parallel Wave Instability of Mixed Convection Flow on Inclined Flat Plates

Abstract

A non-parallel flow analysis by an order-of-magnitude approach is performed to investigate the linear wave instability of mixed convection flow along an isothermal inclined flat plate. This analysis removes the previous restriction on the weak dependence of the streamwise variation of disturbance quantities. The resulting non-homogeneous, coupled equations for the momentum and temperature disturbances are solved by a superposition technique along with a modified Thomas transformation method. Critical Reynolds numbers are presented for inclination angles in the range of 0° ≤ γ ≤ 90° (with γ being measured from the horizontal) covering the bouyancy parameter range of -0.15 ≤ Grx/Rex2 ≤ 1 for Prandtl numbers of 0.7 and 7. It is found that the net effect of buoyancy force on the critical Reynolds number is essentially zero at γ = 1.05° when the plate is almost horizontal. For γ > 1.05°, an increase in the value of Grx/Rex2 stabilizes the flow. This behavior is reversed for γ < 1.05°. © 1988.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0017-9310

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1988 Elsevier, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 1988

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