Forced convection from an inclined elliptical cylinder with constant heat flux: Effect of Prandtl number

Abstract

Forced convection heat transfer from an inclined elliptical cylinder at constant heat flux has been investigated numerically in the steady flow regime. The detailed structure of flow and heat transfer characteristics around an elliptical cylinder with minor to major axis ratio 1:2 have been examined over a range of Reynolds number (1 ≤ Re ≤ 30), Prandtl number (1 ≤ Pr ≤ 100) and angle of inclination (0° ≤ λ ≤ 90°). Extensive results are obtained for the velocity and temperature fields in terms of streamline and isotherm patterns in the proximity of the cylinder. Evidently, the orientation of the elliptical cylinder strongly influences the flow patterns around the elliptical cylinder and the onset of flow separation. The dependence of the average Nusselt number on the Reynolds number and Prandtl number has also been studied over this range of inclination.