STEADY LAMINAR FORCED CONVECTION FROM A CIRCULAR CYLINDER AT LOW REYNOLDS NUMBERS

Comparison of experimental data for the heat transfer between a circular cylinder and a steady stream of viscous, incompressible fluid at low Reynolds numbers with the only available theoretical solution, that based on Oseen type linearization of the heat transfer equation, indicates considerable discrepancies. This question can only be resolved by obtaining solutions of the heat transfer equation based on the correct velocity distribution in the field of flow according to the full Navier-Stokes equations. This problem is considered for a range of Reynolds numbers from 0.01 up to 40. Solutions of the equation for forced heat convection are obtained using numerical methods. The mean and local Nusselt numbers are calculated and compared with available experimental data and correlations. The results are found to compare favorably. At the upper end of the Reynolds number range the solutions are examined to see if their trend checks with boundary-layer results at high Reynolds numbers and with some recent predictions as to the nature of the heat transfer in separated flow past a circular cylinder at high Reynolds numbers. Again some evidence of satisfactory comparison is found.