An analytical solution to non-axisymmetric heat transfer with viscous dissipation for non-Newtonian fluids in laminar forced flow

Forced convection heat transfer in a non-Newtonian fluid flow inside a pipe whose external surface is subjected to non-axisymmetric heat loads is investigated analytically. Fully developed laminar velocity distributions obtained by a power-law fluid rheology model are used, and viscous dissipation is taken into account. The effect of axial heat conduction is considered negligible. The physical properties are assumed to be constant. We consider that the smooth change in the velocity distribution inside the pipe is piecewise constant. The theoretical analysis of the heat transfer is performed by using an integral transform technique – Vodicka’s method. An important feature of this approach is that it permits an arbitrary distribution of the surrounding medium temperature and an arbitrary velocity distribution of the fluid. This technique is verified by a comparison with the existing results. The effects of the Brinkman number and rheological properties on the distribution of the local Nusselt number are shown.