AVERAGE EFFECTS OF FORCED-CONVECTION OVER A FLAT-PLATE WITH AN UNHEATED STARTING LENGTH

Parallel flow over a flat plate with an unheated starting length is a good approximation of actual conditions in many engineering applicatio ns. A single general closed-form analytical solution for the average h eat transfer coefficient for either an isothermal or isoflux boundary condition and for either laminar or turbulent flow is presented. For a smooth surface experiencing a uniform heat flux, the average surface temperature is also of interest. Individual analytical expressions are presented for the average temperature of a flat plate with an isoflux boundary condition for both laminar and turbulent flow. These express ions provide an expeditious means of determining average conditions fo r convective flow over a partially heated flat plate. (C) 1997 Elsevie r Science Ltd.