Internal Heat Generation Effect on Thermal Boundary Layer with a Convective Surface Boundary Condition

Abstract

In this study, we examine the combined effects of internal heat generation and a convective boundary condition on the laminar boundary layer flow over a flat plate. It is assumed that lower surface of the plate is in contact with a hot fluid while a stream of cold fluid flows steadily over the upper surface with a heat source that decays exponentially. Using a similarity variable, the governing non-linear partial differential equations have been transformed into a set of coupled non-linear ordinary differential equations, which are solved numerically by applying shooting iteration technique together with fourth order Runge-Kutta integration scheme. The effects of Prandtl number, local Biot number, and the internal heat generation parameter on the velocity and temperature profiles are illustrated and interpreted in physical terms. A comparison with previously published results on special case of the problem shows excellent agreement