Effects of temperature-dependence of viscosity and viscous dissipation on laminar flow heat transfer in circular tubes

Heat transfer effects of variable viscosity and viscous dissipation for heated developing laminar flows in circular tubes have been investigated. Three studies are reported covering a comprehensive range of input data for the case of constant wall heat flux. Initially the program was used to predict the effect on heat transfer of temperature-dependent viscosity via a general temperature power relation. In addition, predictions were made for nine particular fluids covering a range of Prandtl numbers from 0.025 to 12 500, and a range of Brinkman numbers from 1.8 × 10^?10 to 6.8 × 10³. A more detailed study was made for two particular oils covering a range of practical interest. For the liquids considered their viscosity temperature-dependence resulted in enhancement of heat transfer, whereas for fluids with a Prandtl number <200 the effect of viscous dissipation was negligible, and for fluids of a Brinkman number > × 10^?2 the outcome was a reduction of heat transfer. A numerical instability problem occurred for situations of very high viscous dissipation which limited the length of duct that could be examined.