On the generalized Falkner-Skan equation governing boundary layer flow of a FENE-P fluid

摘要

In this work, we consider a viscous boundary layer flow past a flat plate at a non-zero pressure gradient, for a viscoelastic fluid governed by the FENE-P model. Assuming that the Reynolds number Re and the Weissenberg number He satisfy the condition Re We(2) 1, we will show that the stream function is modeled by a generalized Falkner-Skan equation. Intuitively, this means that 1/He-2 grows much faster than Re, that is Re = o(1/He-2). Further, it is shown that this extended Falkner-Skan equation can be reduced to the classical Falkner-Skan equation via a function transformation. Finally, a decomposition algorithm is implemented for the numerical solution of the governing equation and an estimate of the skin friction coefficient is obtained. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.