Author: Vijay Kumar Yadav and Jitesh Kumar Singh
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This study investigates the combined effects of convection and radiation on heat transfer in laminar flow of incompressible fluids at low Prandtl numbers. The Prandtl number, which defines the relative thickness of momentum and thermal boundary layers, plays a pivotal role in determining the heat transfer characteristics of a fluid. In low Prandtl number fluids, such as liquid metals and molten salts, thermal diffusion outpaces momentum diffusion, leading to distinct heat transfer behaviors. The research explores the interaction between convective heat transfer, driven by the fluid motion, and radiative heat transfer, which occurs via electromagnetic waves and is independent of fluid flow. By varying parameters such as flow velocity, temperature distribution, and Prandtl number, the study quantifies the impact of both mechanisms on thermal performance. Results indicate that both convection and radiation contribute significantly to the overall heat transfer, with radiation becoming more dominant at higher temperatures. The findings are relevant for a variety of engineering applications, including heat exchangers, power plants, and other high-temperature systems that rely on low Prandtl number fluids. The study highlights the need for improved models to predict the thermal behavior of such fluids in complex flow conditions
Convection, Radiation, Heat Transfer, Laminar Flow, Low Prandtl Numbers, Nusselt Number, Thermal Performance, Fluid Mechanics, Prandtl Number, Thermal Boundary Layer
In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the combined effects of convection and radiation heat transfer in laminar fluid flow at low Prandtl numbers. The results demonstrate that both convection and radiation play crucial roles in the heat transfer processes, with each mechanism exhibiting a distinct influence depending on the fluid properties, flow velocity, and temperature distribution. The Nusselt number and radiative heat flux were found to increase with higher flow velocities and surface temperatures, highlighting the importance of these factors in optimizing heat transfer efficiency in low Prandtl number fluids. Furthermore, the interplay between convection and radiation is essential in understanding the overall thermal performance of systems that rely on these fluids, particularly in high-temperature applications such as heat exchangers and power plants. The study also underscores the need for further research to explore the nuances of heat transfer in such systems, with an emphasis on the development of reliable models and simulation tools that can predict the behavior of low Prandtl number fluids under various operational conditions. The findings have significant implications for industries that depend on efficient thermal management, such as metallurgy, chemical processing, and electronics, where improving heat transfer efficiency can lead to enhanced system performance, reduced energy consumption, and greater operational stability. Ultimately, this research contributes to the broader understanding of thermodynamic processes in fluids with low Prandtl numbers, providing valuable insights for both theoretical investigations and practical engineering applications in the field of heat transfer
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Vijay Kumar Yadav and Jitesh Kumar Singh (2025). Study of Convective and Radiative Heat Transfer in Laminar Fluid Flow with Small Prandtl Numbers. International Journal of Theoretical & Applied Sciences, 17(2): 31–36
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