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Chapter 6: Problem 33

How does turbulent flow differ from laminar flow? For which flow is the heat transfer coefficient higher?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Question: Explain the difference between laminar flow and turbulent flow and determine which type of flow has a higher heat transfer coefficient. Answer: Laminar flow is characterized by smooth, parallel layers of fluid with no mixing between adjacent layers, while turbulent flow is characterized by chaotic and disorderly fluid motion with random fluctuations in velocity and pressure. Turbulent flow has a higher heat transfer coefficient than laminar flow due to the increased mixing of fluid particles, resulting in a more uniform temperature distribution and enhanced heat transfer.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Laminar Flow

Laminar flow is a type of fluid flow characterized by smooth, parallel layers of fluid moving along the flow direction. In laminar flow, there is no mixing between adjacent layers, and velocity gradients are steady and constant throughout the fluid.
02

Definition of Turbulent Flow

Turbulent flow, on the other hand, is characterized by chaotic and disorderly fluid motion. In this type of flow, there are random fluctuations in velocity and pressure, and fluid particles mix and move in an unpredictable manner.
03

Differences between Laminar and Turbulent Flow

The fundamental difference between laminar and turbulent flow lies in the fluid's motion pattern. Laminar flow has smooth and orderly layers of fluid, while turbulent flow is characterized by irregular and chaotic fluid motion. Turbulent flow has higher energy dissipation than laminar flow due to the more intense mixing of the fluid layers.
04

Heat Transfer Coefficient Comparison

The heat transfer coefficient is the proportionality constant between the convective heat transfer and the temperature difference driving the heat transfer. In general, heat transfer by convection is more effective in turbulent flow because of the increased mixing of fluid particles. This leads to a more uniform temperature distribution and enhances heat transfer. Therefore, the heat transfer coefficient is higher for turbulent flow compared to laminar flow.

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