Numerical Investigation of Hydrodynamic and Thermal Boundary Layer Flows over a Flat Plate and Transition Control

Abstract

In this study, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) calculations are performed with ANSYS-Fluent for an external flow over a flat plate under constant surface temperature conditions. By using an Active Flow Control (AFC) method, the flat-plate is heated to manipulate the transition region. Calculations are performed for a steady and turbulent flow at 15 m/s free-stream velocity. Local skin friction coefficient and local heat transfer coefficient distributions along the flat-plate are investigated for laminar and turbulent boundary layers at various constant surface temperatures. For laminar and turbulent flow boundary layer characteristics, theoretical correlations in the literature are used to verify the numerical results. Results show that theoretical correlations are highly consistent with CFD results only in the laminar and turbulent regions and it is also shown that transition can only be predicted by CFD simulations. On the other hand, heating as an AFC method is found to be useful in delaying transition regime over a flat plate.