Simplified solution of developing laminar forced flow between parallel plates

Abstract

SUMMARYA simpli"ed simulation for developing laminar forced #ow in the entrance region between two parallel plates is presented. This simulation is based on an implicit "nite di!erence numerical representation of a boundary layer model describing the #ow in the entry region. This boundary layer model comprises the two conservation equations of mass and momentum. A non-iterative implicit numerical scheme is developed to convert the partial di!erential form of these governing equations into algebraic equations. The resultant algebraic equations have been solved simultaneously via a simpli"ed simulation using spreadsheet programs as well as a Fortran code for the sake of comparison. The numerically obtained developing axial velocity pro"le at large distance downstream of the entrance shows excellent agreement with the available fully developed analytical pro"le. Comparison between the abilities of the spreadsheet simulation with other high-level programming languages is outlined.