On the Nusselt Number for H2 Heat Transfer in Rectangular Ducts of Large Aspect Ratios

Abstract

The H1 and H2 forced convection heat transfer in rectangular ducts are studied using an accurate, analytic method. It is confirmed that, as the aspect ratio tends to infinity, the Nusselt number for the H2 case approaches 2.9162, much lower than the parallel plate value of 8.2353 attained by the H1 case. The controversy about the H2 limit is thus settled. An explanation of the behavior is suggested.