Chapter-7 Emparical Relation For Free Convection

Chapter: 7 Natural Convective Heat Transfer Brij Bhooshan
Heat Transfer
Chapter: 7 Natural Convective Heat Transfer

Prepared By
Brij Bhooshan
Asst. Professor
B. S. A. College of Engg. And Technology
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, (India)
Supported By:
Purvi Bhooshan
In This Chapter We Cover the Following Topics

7.1 Concept of Buoyancy Force
7.2 Dimensionless Parameters of Natural Convection
7.3 An Approximate Analysis of Laminar Natural Convection on a Vertical Plate
7.4 Free Convection from Vertical Planes and Cylinders
7.5 Free Convection from Horizontal Cylinders
7.6 Free Convection from Horizontal Plates
7.7 Free Convection from Spheres
7.8 Free Convection in Enclosed Spaces
7.9 Rotating Cylinders, Disks and Spheres
7.10 Combined Forced and Natural Convection
References:
1- J. P. Holman, heat Transfer, 9th Edn, MaGraw-Hill, New York, 2002.
2- James R. Welty, Charles E. Wicks, Robert E. Wilson, Gregory L. Rorrer Fundamentals
of Momentum, Heat, and Mass Transfer, 5th Edn, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2008.
3- F. Kreith and M. S. Bohn, Principal of Heat Transfer, 5th Edn, PWS Publishing Co.,
Boston, 1997.
4- P. K. Nag, Heat and mass transfer, 2nd Edn, MaGraw-Hill, New Delhi 2005.
Please welcome for any correction or misprint in the entire manuscript and your valuable
suggestions kindly mail us brijrbedu@gmail.com.
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Brij Bhooshan Asst. Professor B.S.A College of Engg. & Technology, Mathura (India)
Copyright by Brij Bhooshan @ 2010 Page 1
The flow velocity in free convection is much smaller than that encountered in forced
convection. Therefore, heat transfer by free convection is much smaller than that by forced
convection. Diagram 7.1 (a) illustrates the development of velocity field infront of a hot
vertical plate owing to the buoyancy force. The heated fluid in front of the hot plate rises,
entraining fluid from the quiescent outer region.
Diagram 7.1 (b) shows a cold vertical plate in a hot fluid, where the direction of motion is
reversed, the fluid in front of the plate being heavier moves vertically down, again
entraining fluid from the quiescent outer region.
Turbulent
Laminar
Laminar
Turbulent
(b) Cold wall

(a) Hot wall
Diagram 7.1 Laminar and turbulent velocity boundary layer for natural convection on a vertical plate
In both cases a velocity boundary layer is develops with a certain peak in it. The velocity is
zero both the plate surface and at the edge of boundary layer is laminar, then at a certain
distance from the leading edge the transition to turbulent layer occurs, and finally a fully
developed turbulent layer is established.
7.1 CONCEPT OF BUOYANCY FORCE
We now consider a fluid contained in the space between two parallel horizontal plates
(Diagram 7.2(a)).
Cold wall Hot wall
Unstable Stable
fluid fluid
Hot wall Cold wall

(a) Lower plate hot (b) Lower plate hot
Diagram 7.2
Suppose the lower plate is maintained at a temperature higher than that of the upper plate
(Tl > T2). A temperature gradient will be established in the vertical direction. The layer will
be top-heavy, since the density of the cold fluid at the top is higher than that of the hot fluid
at the bottom. If the temperature difference is increased beyond a certain critical value, the
viscous forces within the fluid can no longer sustain the buoyancy forces, and a convection
motion is set up.

Suppose in Diagram 7.2(b), the lower plate is cold and the upper plate is hot (i.e. Tl < T2).
Here, the density of the top layer is less than that of the bottom layer. The fluid is then
always stable, and no natural convection currents are set up.
(a)
(b)
(d)
(c)
Diagram 7.3 Buoyancy-driven flows on horizontal cold (Tw < T) and hot (Tw > T) plates,
(a) Top surface of cold plate, (b) bottom surface of cold plate, (c) top surface of hot plate and (d) bottom surface of
hot plate
Diagram 7.3 shows the directions of convection currents for horizontal plates, heated or
cooled, facing up or down.
7.2 DIMENSIONLESS PARAMETERS OF NATURAL CONVECTION
To develop the principal dimensionless parameters of natural convection, we consider the

natural convection on a vertical plate, as illustrated in Diagram 7.1. For simplicity analysis,
we assume that the boundary layer flow is steady and laminar. Since small flow velocities
are associated with natural convection, the viscous energy dissipation term in the energy
equation can be neglected. Then to governing continuity, momentum and energy equations
are obtained from the boundary layer equations, as derived in the last chapter, and the
appropriate buoyancy term is introduced in the momentum equation:
Continuity:
Momentum:
Energy:
Here the term g on the right hand side of the momentum equation represents the body
force exerted on the fluid element in the negative x-direction.
For small temperature differences, the density in the buoyancy term is considered to vary
with temperature, whereas the density appearing elsewhere in these equations is
considered constant. This is often referred to as Boussinesq approximation.
To determine the pressure gradient term dp/dx, the x-momentum equation, Eq. (7.2) is
evaluated at the edge of the velocity boundary layer, where u 0 and . We obtain
where is the fluid density outside the boundary layer. Then the term g dP/dx
appearing in the momentum equation, Eq. (7.2) becomes

If denotes the volumetric coefficient in thermal expansion of the fluid,
Using equation (7.4) and (7.7)
To find the dimensionless parameters that governs heat transfer in natural convection.
Suppose
Using Eqns. (7.1) and (7.9)
Using Eqns. (7.2), (7.8) and (7.9)
Using Eqns. (7.3) and (7.9)
Here, the Reynolds and Prandtl numbers are defined as
The dimensionless group in the momentum equation can be rearranged as
where the Grashof number Gr is defined as
The Grashof number represents the ratio of the buoyancy force to the viscous force acting
on the fluid.
Equation (7.11) imply that when the effects of natural and forced convection are of
comparable magnitude, the Nusselt number depends on Re, Pr and Gr, or
The parameter Gr/Re2, defined by Eq. (5.13), is a measure of the relative importance of
natural convection in relation to forced convection.
When Gr/Re2 1, natural and forced convection are of the same order of magnitude; hence
both must be considered.
If (Gr/Re2) << 1, flow is primarily by forced convection.

If (Gr/Re2) >> 1, natural convection becomes dominant and the Nusselt number depends on
Gr and Pr only:
In natural convection, flow velocities are produced by the buoyancy forces only; hence there
are no externally induced flow velocities. As a result, the Nusselt number does not depend
on the Reynolds number.
Sometimes another dimensionless parameter, called the Rayleigh number (Ra), which is
defined as
The Grashof number to correlate heat transfer in natural convection. Then the Nusselt
number relation (Eq. (7.16)), becomes
For three-dimensional shapes such as short cylinders and blocks the characteristic length L
may be determined from
where Lx is the height and Ly the average horizontal dimension of the body.
7.3 AN APPROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF LAMINAR NATURAL CONVECTION ON A

VERTICAL PLATE
Let us consider Tw and T be, respectively, the temperature of the wall surface and the bulk
temperature of the fluid (Diagram 7.4). The fluid moves upward along the plate for Tw > T
and flow downwards for Tw < T, as shown in Diagram 7.1. Within the boundary layer
temperature decrease from Tw to < T of the undisturbed or quiescent fluid outside the
heated region.
Boundary layer
Diagram 7.4 Temperature and velocity profile for free convection on a hot vertical plate
Let = T T. When y = 0, = w = Tw T, and when y = , = = 0. If y = 0, u = 0, and if

y = , u = 0.
The velocity and temperature profiles in the neighbourhood of the plate are shown. The
integral boundary layer equations for momentum and energy will be used to calculate the
heat transfer in natural convection.

Temperature profile
To solve the boundary layer equation, the temperature profile is approximated by a
parabolic equation of the form
At y = 0, T = Tw = C
At y = = t, T = T, (T/y)y = = 0
It is we assume = t i.e. equal velocity and thermal boundary layer thicknesses.

Substituting in Eq. (7.20),
Therefore
The velocity profile may be assumed to be a cubical parabola given by
where u1 is a reference velocity and is a function of x.

At y = 0, u = 0.
At y = = t, u = 0, u/y = 0
Using the first boundary condition u = 0 = au1
Since u1 0, d=0
Now
At y = = t, u = 0, u/y = 0
From momentum equation,
Therefore

when y = 0, = w, then we have
From Eqns. (7.23a), (7.23b) and (7.24a), we have
where
The velocity profile given by
There is a certain value of y where u is maximum
After solving we get y = or /3.

Since u = 0 at y = , therefore, u will be maximum when y = /3.Therefore
Analysis
Let us consider a control volume differential element dx at a distance from the bottom edge
within the boundary layer as shown in Diagram 7.5.
B
C.V.
C
L
Diagram 7.5 Control volume in the boundary layer
Momentum flux across BC is zero.

Rate of increase of momentum
= Forces acting on the element
Integrating is limited to , as before
Energy equation for volume element gives
Integrating is limited to = t,
Now
Substituting these values in momentum equation (7.27)
and energy equation
But u0 and are function of x. Suppose
Now using equation (7.29), then

Again energy equation (7.30)
Equation (7.31) and (7.32) are valid for any value of x.

Equating the corresponding component of x in Eq. (7.31) and (7.32), then
Put the values of m and n in Eq. (7.31) and (7.32),
Now using Eqns. (7.33a) and (7.33b),
Heat flux

As x increases, also increases.

h 1/x1/4, as increases, h decreases.
For air Pr = 0.714, then using equation (7.35)
Exact solution gives the constant as 0.360, then
Fluid properties are evaluated at the film temperature T* = (Tw + T)/2.

Transition from laminar to turbulent flow occurs at Rax,c = 109.
EMPIRICAL RELATIONS FOR FREE CONVECTION
7.4 FREE CONVECTION FROM VERTICAL PLANES AND CYLINDERS
Isothermal Surfaces
The local value of heat transfer coefficient from equation (7.34) and (7.35)
The average value of the heat transfer coefficient for a height L is obtained
For air, Pr = 0.714
which is almost the same as Eq. (7.37).
McAdams recommends the relation for natural convection over a vertical flat plate or
vertical cylinder in the turbulent region (GrL > 109)
For laminar flow (valid for 104 < Gr.Pr < 109)
For laminar flow (valid for 109 < Gr.Pr < 1012)

The general criterion is that a vertical cylinder may be treated as a vertical flat plate, when
for gases with Pr =0.7 indicates that the flat plate results for the average heat-transfer
coefficient should be multiplied by a factor F to account for the curvature, where
Churchill and Chu that are applicable over wider ranges of the Rayleigh number:
above equation (7.44) applies to laminar flow only and holds for all values of the Prandtl
number and for 10-1 < RaL < 109.
above equation (7.45) applies for both laminar and turbulent flow and for 10-1 < RaL < 109.
The physical properties are evaluated at the film temperature T* = (Tw + T)/2.
Insulation
Plate Insulation
g
Diagram 7.6 (a) heating surface facing downwards, (b) Cold surface facing upwards
For a long vertical plate or a long cylinder tilted at an angle from the vertical with the
heated surface facing downward (Diagram 7.6(a)) or cooled surface facing upward (Diagram
7.6 (b)), the following equation can be used:
for 105 < Gr.Pr Cos < 1011; and 0 89.
Constant-Heat-Flux Surfaces
Extensive experiments have been reported for free convection from vertical and inclined
surfaces to water under constant-heat-flux conditions.
Suppose modified Grashof number, Gr* is defined as:

qw = being the constant wall heat flux.

Natural convection on a vertical plate subject to uniform heat flux at the wall surface was
investigated by Sparrow and Gregg, Vliet and Liu and Vliet. On the basis of their
experimental data, the following correlations were proposed:
Local heat transfer coefficient for laminar flow
Local heat transfer coefficient for turbulent region
Now local heat-transfer form gives
Inserting Grx = Gr*x/Nux gives
Thus, when the characteristic values of m for laminar and turbulent flow are compared to
the exponents on Gr*x, we obtain
Churchill and Chu show that the constant-heat-flux case if the average Nusselt number is
based on the wall heat flux and the temperature difference at the center of the plate (x =
L/2). The result is
where
7.5 FREE CONVECTION FROM HORIZONTAL CYLINDERS
Churchill and Chu proposed:
for 10-5 < Gr Pr < 1012

For laminar flow range of 10-6 < Gr Pr < 109.
The physical properties are evaluated at the film temperature T* = (Tw + T)/2.
Heat transfer from horizontal cylinders to liquid metals may be calculated from
Mc Adams proposed the relation
7.6 FREE CONVECTION FROM HORIZONTAL PLATES
Uniform wall temperature

The mean Nusselt number for natural convection on a horizontal plate as correlated by
McAdams is
For hot surface facing up or cold surface facing down:

(a) In the range (laminar) 105 < Ra < 2 x 107, C = 0.54, n = 1/4, and
(b) In the range (turbulent) 2 x 107 < Ra < 3 x 1010, C = 0.14, n = 1/3.
For hot surface facing down or cold surface facing up:
(a) In the range (laminar) 3 x 105 < Ra < 3 x 1010, C = 0.27, n = 1/4.
(b) In the range (turbulent) 7 x 106 < Ra < 11 x 109, C = 0.107, n = 1/3.
Uniform heat flux

For the horizontal plate with heated surface facing upward:
For the horizontal plate with the heated surface facing downward:
Properties are evaluated at T* = Tw 0.25 (Tw + T).
7.7 FREE CONVECTION FROM SPHERES
For natural convection on a single isothermal sphere for fluids having Pr 1
For higher ranges of the Rayleigh number the experiments of Amato and Tien with water
suggest the following correlation:
for 3 x 105 < Rad < 8 x 108 and 10 < Nud < 90
Yuge recommends the following empirical relation for free-convection heat transfer from
spheres to air:

Churchill suggests a more general formula for spheres, applicable over a wider range of
Rayleigh numbers:
for Rad < 1011 and Pr >0.5.
7.8 FREE CONVECTION IN ENCLOSED SPACES
The free-convection flow phenomena inside an enclosed space are interesting examples of
very complex fluid systems that may yield to analytical, empirical, and numerical solutions.
Consider the system shown in Diagram 7.7(a), where a fluid is contained between two
vertical plates separated by the distance . As a temperature difference Tw =T1 T2 is
impressed on the fluid, a heat transfer will be experienced with the approximate flow
regions shown in Diagram 7.7(b).
According to MacGregor and Emery, in this Diagram 7.7(b), the Grashof number is
calculated as
As the Grashof number is increased, different flow regimes are encountered, as shown, with
a progressively increasing heat transfer as expressed through the Nusselt number
Nu
L L
Asymptoti Laminar
T T c flow boundary layer
flow
Typical velocity
temperature profile
Turbulent boundary
(a)
layer flow
(b)
Diagram 7.7
The heat transfer to a number of liquids under constant-heat-flux conditions, the empirical
correlations obtained were:
L/ is aspect ratio
Valid for qw = const., T = 90; 104 < Gr Pr < 107; 1 < Pr < 20,000; 10 < L/ < 40
Valid for qw = const., 106 < Gr Pr < 109; 1 < Pr < 20; 1 < L/< 40
As Gr increases, the flow becomes more of a boundary layer type with fluid rising in a layer
near the heated surface, turning the corner at the top, and flowing downward in a layer

near the cooled surface. The boundary layer thickness decreases with Gr d1/4, and the core
region is more or less inactive and thermally stratified. For the geometry in Diagram 7.8,
L
L HOT
Rotating cell
Diagram 7.8 Natural convection in inclined enclosed spaces
For 2 < L/ < 10, Pr < 10 and Ra < 1010 and
in the range 1 < L/ < 2, 103 < Pr < 105, and
Tilted vertical enclose 0 < < 90 or 0 < < 90
For H/L 12, 0 < < 70
For H/L > 12, 70 < < 90
The heat flux is calculated as
The results are sometimes expressed in the alternate form of an effective or apparent
thermal conductivity ke, defined by
By comparing Equations (7.65) and (7.66), we see that
In the building industry the heat transfer across an air gap is sometimes expressed in
terms of the R values, so that

Evans and Stefany have shown that transient natural-convection heating or cooling in
closed vertical or horizontal cylindrical enclosures may be calculated with
for the range 0.75 < L/d < 2.0. The Grashof number is formed with the length of the
cylinder L.
The effective thermal conductivity for fluids between concentric spheres with the relation
where now the gap spacing is = r0 ri. The effective thermal conductivity given by
Equation (7.70) is to be used with the conventional relation for steady-state conduction in a
spherical shell:
Equation (7.70) is valid for 0.25 /ri 1.5 and 1.2 102 < Gr Pr < 1.1109, 0.7 < Pr < 4150
Properties are evaluated at a volume mean temperature Tm defined by
where rm =(ri + r0)/2.
Experimental results for free convection in enclosures are not always in agreement, but we
can express them in a general form as
For the annulus space the heat transfer is based on
where L is the length of the annulus and the gap spacing is = r0 ri.
Inner cylinder
Flow pattern
L
Outer cylinder
Diagram 7.9 Natural convection heat transfer in the annular space between two concentric cylinders or
concentric spheres

For natural convection heat transfer across the gap between two horizontal concentric
cylinders (Diagram 7.9) the following correlation is suggested for heat flow per unit length
(W/m)
where the effective thermal conductivity ke given by
Which is valid in range 0.7 < Pr < 6000, 10 Racyc 107.
For concentric spheres the following correlation is recommended
Valid for 102 Ra*cyc 104
Jacobs has suggested the correlation for vertical enclosed air space shown diagram
Valid for 2000 GrL 2 x 104
Valid for 2 x 104 GrL 11 x 106

where
Gr based on thickness of air space L.
Jacobs has suggested the correlation for horizontal enclosed air space
Valid for 104 GrL 4 x 104

Valid for 4 x 105 GrL

where
Globe and Dropkin gives the relation for liquid contained in horizontal space
Valid for 3 x 105 Gr.Pr 7 x 109
Radiation R-Value for a Gap

The radiation transfer across a gap separating two large parallel planes may be calculated
with
Using the concept of the R-value
and thus could determine an R-value for the radiation heat transfer in conjunction with
Equation (7.82).
so that
The total R-value for the combined radiation and convection across the space would be
written as
7.9 ROTATING CYLINDERS, DISKS AND SPHERES
Heat transfer by convection between a rotating body and a surrounding fluid is of

importance in the thermal analysis of flywheels, turbine rotors and other rotating
components of various machines. With heat transfer, a critical velocity is reached when the
circumferential speed of the cylinder surface becomes approximately equal to the upward
natural convection velocity at the side of a heated stationary cylinder. Below the critical
velocity, simple natural convection, characterised by the conventional Grashof number,
[g(Tw T)D3]/2 controls the rate of heat transfer. At speeds greater than critical (Re w >
8000 in air) the peripheral-speed Reynolds number D2w/ becomes the controlling
parameter. The combined effects of the Reynolds, Prandtl and Grashof numbers on the
average Nusselt number for a horizontal cylinder rotating in air above the critical velocity as
shown in diagram (Diagram 7.10) cab be expressed by empirical equation.

g D
Diagram 7.10 Horizontal cylinder rotating in air
The boundary layer on a rotating disk is laminar and of uniform thickness at rotational
Reynolds numbers wD2/ below about 106. At higher Reynolds numbers the flow becomes
turbulent near the outer edge, and as Rew is increased, the transition point moves radially
inward. The boundary layer thickens with increasing radius (Diagram 7.11).
Transition
Diagram 7.11 Velocity and boundary layer profiles for a disk rotating in an infinite environment
For the laminar regime in air
for wD2/ < 106

In the turbulent flow regime (wD2/ > 106) of a disk in air, the local value at a radius r is
For a sphere of diameter D rotating in an infinite environment with Pr > 0.7 in laminar
regime (Rew = wD2/ > 5 x 104), the average Nusselt number (hcD/k) can be obtained from
while in the regime 5 x 104 < Rew < 7 x 105 the equation is
7.10 COMBINED FORCED AND NATURAL CONVECTION
The relative magnitude of the dimensionless parameter Gr/Re governs the relative
importance of natural convection in relation to forced convection where
which represents the ratio of the buoyancy forces to inertia forces. When this ratio is of the
order of unity, i.e. Gr Re2, the natural and forced convection are of comparable
magnitude, and hence they should be analysed simultaneously. If
Gr / Re2 >> 1: Natural convection dominates
Gr / Re2 1: Natural and forced convection are of comparable magnitude
Gr / Re2 << 1: Forced convection dominates

For combined free and forced convection in the laminar flow regime inside a circular tube.
Brown and Gauvin recommend the following correlation for the Nusselt number
where Gz is the Graetz number, defined as
where Grd and Red are based on the tubes inside diameter with T = Tw T difference
between tube wall and fluid bulk temperature.
External flow
Nux for mixed convection on vertical plate is given by
If (Grx/Rex-2) A
If (Grx/Rex-2) > A
A 0.6 for Pr < 10; A 1.0 for Pr = 100
For horizontal plate when (Grx/Rex2.5) 0.083 the equation for forced convection
Internal flow
For mixed convection in turbulent flow in horizontal tubes


Chapter-7 Emparical Relation For Free Convection

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Chapter: 7 Natural Convective Heat Transfer Brij Bhooshan

Chapter: 7 Natural Convective Heat Transfer

In This Chapter We Cover the Following Topics

For more information log on www.brijrbedu.org

(b) Cold wall

7.1 CONCEPT OF BUOYANCY FORCE

Cold wall Hot wall

Hot wall Cold wall

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7.2 DIMENSIONLESS PARAMETERS OF NATURAL CONVECTION

To develop the principal dimensionless parameters of natural convection, we consider the

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If denotes the volumetric coefficient in thermal expansion of the fluid,

Using equation (7.4) and (7.7)

Using Eqns. (7.1) and (7.9)

Using Eqns. (7.2), (7.8) and (7.9)

Using Eqns. (7.3) and (7.9)

Here, the Reynolds and Prandtl numbers are defined as

The dimensionless group in the momentum equation can be rearranged as

where the Grashof number Gr is defined as

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7.3 AN APPROXIMATE ANALYSIS OF LAMINAR NATURAL CONVECTION ON A

Let = T T. When y = 0, = w = Tw T, and when y = , = = 0. If y = 0, u = 0, and if

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It is we assume = t i.e. equal velocity and thermal boundary layer thicknesses.

The velocity profile may be assumed to be a cubical parabola given by

where u1 is a reference velocity and is a function of x.

From momentum equation,

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when y = 0, = w, then we have

From Eqns. (7.23a), (7.23b) and (7.24a), we have

The velocity profile given by

There is a certain value of y where u is maximum

After solving we get y = or /3.

Diagram 7.5 Control volume in the boundary layer

Momentum flux across BC is zero.

Rate of increase of momentum

= Forces acting on the element

Integrating is limited to , as before

Energy equation for volume element gives

Substituting these values in momentum equation (7.27)

and energy equation

But u0 and are function of x. Suppose

Now using equation (7.29), then

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Again energy equation (7.30)

Equation (7.31) and (7.32) are valid for any value of x.

Put the values of m and n in Eq. (7.31) and (7.32),

Now using Eqns. (7.33a) and (7.33b),

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As x increases, also increases.

For air Pr = 0.714, then using equation (7.35)

Exact solution gives the constant as 0.360, then

Fluid properties are evaluated at the film temperature T* = (Tw + T)/2.

EMPIRICAL RELATIONS FOR FREE CONVECTION

7.4 FREE CONVECTION FROM VERTICAL PLANES AND CYLINDERS

For air, Pr = 0.714

which is almost the same as Eq. (7.37).

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for 105 < Gr.Pr Cos < 1011; and 0 89.

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qw = being the constant wall heat flux.

Local heat transfer coefficient for turbulent region