Analysis of micro-Couette flow using the Burnett equations

Analysis of micro-Couette flow and heat transfer is carried out using the B urnett equations. The generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method is u sed to obtain the numerical solutions. The results show that the effect of the rarefaction is significant on velocity, temperature, pressure and non-d imensional parameter Pr . E for Kn greater than or equal to 0.1. The relati onships between the shear stress, heat flux and Kn number are obtained. The solution of the Burnett equations is superior than that of the Navier-Stok es equations at the relatively high Kn number in the slip flow regime. Howe ver, it is impossible to extend the Burnett equations to the entire transit ion flow regime. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.