The finite element solution of laminar combined convection from a horizontal cylinder

The purpose of this investigation is to study the flow and heat-transfer characteristics of laminar combined convection from an isothermal cylinder. The full Navier-Stokes and energy equations are solved by a finite element method. The variations of surface shear stress, pressure and Nusselt number are obtained over the whole cylinder surface including the zone beyond the separation point. The predicted values of the average Nusselt number as well as the angle of separation, and the results of the pressure distribution and the local Nusselt number are compared with the available experimental correlations and previous numerical investigations. The agreement is satisfactory.