BOUNDARY-LAYER FLOW OF AIR OVER WATER ON A FLAT-PLATE

A non-similar boundary layer theory for air blowing over a water layer on a flat plate is formulated and studied as a two-fluid problem in w hich the position of the interface is unknown. The problem is consider ed at large Reynolds number (based on x), away from the leading edge. We derive a simple non-similar analytic solution of the problem for wh ich the interface height is proportional to x(1/4) and the water and a ir flow satisfy the Blasius boundary layer equations, with a linear pr ofile in the water and a Blasius profile in the air. Numerical studies of the initial value problem suggest that this asymptotic non-similar air-water boundary layer solution is a global attractor for all initi al conditions.