Laminar Transfer From Isothermal Spanwise Strips on a Flat Plate

The Rubesin-Klein-Tribus method is used to calculate rates of heat transfer by forced convection from two isothermal spanwise strips in tandem. The general results are applicable to either laminar or turbulent flow. Predictions of laminar transfer are based on Eckert’s step function. In experimentation, naphthalene cast in trays is used to simulate the isothermal strips while the inert material between them simulates the adiabatic wall. The velocities range from about 40 to 90 ft/sec, and the air temperature from 72 to 88 F. The boundary layer is shown to be laminar. The theoretical and experimental results are found to be in good agreement, confirming the calculation method and Eckert’s step function. The experimentation is extended to an array of several equally spaced strips in tandem. Effects of roughness and spanwise diffusion are noted.