FLUID-FLOW AND HEAT-TRANSFER BETWEEN FINITE ROTATING-DISKS

The laminar flow between finite rotating disks with a shroud has been analyzed using a velocity and a stream function formulation, employing Galerkin's method with B-spline basis. Though results from both formu lations are in good agreement with the LDV data on velocity profiles, and with each other, we find the stream function formulation clearly s uperior computationally, and we employ it subsequently to study heat t ransfer between the disks. The calculations show strong boundary-layer character near the disks. The Nusselt number depends upon both geomet ry and the Reynolds number.