Transient response of a steady vertical flow subject to a change in surface heating rate (Q1119120)

Transient natural convection response, following a change in heating rate at a surface, has been measured over a range of heating conditions, in water. A new steady state is achieved through several distinct processes. The first is a superimposed purely diffusive transient near the surface, which agrees with the solutions given. The flow then diverges into a general downstream developing transient. Flow solutions then indicate a propagating leading edge effect downstream. Thereafter, the transient approaches a new steady flow. Transport response, determined by visualizations and local velocity and temperature measurements, also agree with the calculations. Upstream flows remain laminar throughout the transient. Downstream, both transient transition and turbulence enhance local heat transfer. This suggests that general heat transfer enhancement may be achieved by programmed changes in imposed heat flux levels.