The finite element solution of laminar combined convection from two spheres in tandem arrangement (Q1083328)

The purpose of this investigation is to study the flow and heat transfer characteristics of laminar combined convection from two isothermal spheres of the same diameter in tandem arrangement, the distance between the sphere centers being twice the value of the diameter. The full Navier-Stokes and energy equations are solved by a finite element method. The variations of surface shear stress, pressure, and Nusselt number are obtained for gases having a Prandtl number of 0.7 over the entire sphere surface, including the zone beyond the separation point. The predicted values of the average Nusselt number, the location of the separation point, and the friction drag coefficient are also presented. It is found that the behavior of the upstream sphere is close to that of a single sphere.