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As is common with fluid mechanics analysis, a number of dimensionless parameters are employed to describe convective heat transfer. A summary of these variables is included in the following tables:
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General Convection (Forced and Free)
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| Parameter |
Formula |
Interpretation |
| Prandtl Number: |
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Ratio of fluid velocity boundary layer thickness to the fluid temperature boundary layer thickness. |
| Nusselt Number: |
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Ratio of heat transfered from surface to heat conducted away by fluid. |
| Parameter |
Formula |
Interpretation |
| Reynolds Number: |
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Ratio of fluid inertia stress to viscous stress (for flow over flat plates). |
| Reynolds Number: |
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(Reynolds Number for pipe flow). |
| Stanton Number: |
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| Parameter |
Formula |
Interpretation |
| Grashof Number: |
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Ratio of fluid buoyancy stress to viscous stress. |
| Rayleigh Number: |
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