Effect of temperature dependent viscosity on free convection flow across an impermeable partition

Abstract

This study examines the natural convection flow on both sides of an impermeable conducting plate, separating two fluid saturated porous spaces maintained at different ambient temperatures. Two cases have been considered, namely that of, convection across a vertical and a horizontal partition. Heat is transferred from the hot side to the cold side through the thermally conducting partition. The viscosity of the fluid is assumed to have an inverse linear dependence on temperature. The effect of variable viscosity on the counter-current boundary layers and the net heat transfer is examined by employing Karman-Pohlhausen integral method. It is illustrated that an increase in viscosity brings about a drop in the net heat transfer rate across the partition in each case.