Transient boundary-layer heat transfer from a flat plate subjected to a sudden change in heat flux

We examine the transient forced convection heat transfer from a fixed, semi -infinite, flat plate situated in a fluid which, at large distances, is mov ing with a constant velocity parallel to the plate. Both the fluid and the plate are initially at a constant temperature and the transients are initia ted when the zero heat flux at the plate is suddenly changed to a constant value. The thermal boundary-layer equations are solved using numerical tech niques to extend a series which is valid for small times and describe fully the development from the initial unsteady stale solution (small times) to the ultimate steady state solution (large time). (C) 2001 Editions scientif iques et medicales Elsevier SAS.