FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF STEADY PERIODIC CONVECTION-DIFFUSION TRANSPORT

Abstract

To analyze steady periodic convection-diffusion transport problems, a numerical procedure is presented that combines the method of complex temperature and a Galerkin-type finite element approach. Numerical results are obtained for unsteady heat transfer in parallel-plate channels with time-varying inlet temperature and participating walls. Slug flow is considered first, to validate the algorithm developed, by comparing its predictions with an analytical exact solution. The analysis is then enlarged to consideration of laminar flow, also accounting for axial conduction in the duct walls.