Unsteady free convection flow in a Walters'-B fluid and heat transfer analysis

Abstract

In this paper the unsteady free convection flow in a Walters'-B fluid with heat transfer analysis is investigated. The governing equations are modelled and exact solutions for velocity and temperature are obtained using the Laplace transform technique. They satisfy all imposed initial and boundary conditions and for Γ → 0, can be reduce to the similar solutions for Newtonian fluids. The corresponding expressions for skin friction and Nusselt number are also evaluated. Numerical results for velocity and temperature are displayed graphically for various parameters of interest and discussed. This study is of fundamental importance and frequently arises in many practical situations such as chemical engineering and polymer extrusion processes. The exact solutions obtained here can be used as a benchmark for the numerical solvers.