Turbulent Boundary Layer Heat Transfer Experiments: A Separate Effects Study on a Convexly Curved Wall
Measured heat transfer rates through turbulent and transitional boundary layers on an isothermal, convexly curved wall show Stanton numbers 20–50 percent below flat wall values. Recovery is slow on a flat wall downstream of the curve; after 60 cm, Stanton numbers were 15–20 percent below flat wall values. Five secondary effects were studied: (i) initial boundary layer thickness, (ii) free-stream velocity, (iii) free-stream acceleration, (iv) unheated starting length, and (v) transition. Regardless of the initial state, curvature without acceleration eventually forced the boundary layer into an asymptotic condition: StαReΔ2−1. Strong acceleration with curvature brought the exponent on ReΔ2 to −2.