Numerical Solution of Boundary Layer Flow Equation with Viscous Dissipation Effect Along a Flat Plate with Variable Temperature

AbstractThe present paper considers the classical problem of hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layers over a flat plate in a uniform stream of fluid with viscous dissipation effect and variable plate temperature. Using a similarity variable, the governing nonlinear partial differential equations have been transformed into a set of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations and solved numerically by the finite difference method along with Newton's linearization approximation namely Keller box method. Due to viscous dissipation, conversion of mechanical energy to thermal energy results in temperature variation in the fluid and variation of fluid properties. A discussion is provided for the effects of Eckert number (Ec), Prandtl number (Pr) and temperature power coefficient n on two-dimensional flow. It is observed that as Ec increases the temperature distribution increases whereas Pr increases the temperature distribution decreases for variable temperature. Detailed analysis of the velocity profile, temperature distribution and rate of heat transfer are tabulated and presented graphically