Reflections on a Penetration Theory of Turbulent Heat Transfer

Abstract

This paper discusses a modified penetration theory where the time scale for the momentum wall layer is based on the onset of ejections from the wall but the time scale for the thermal layer is based on the unsteady state diffusion of heat from the wall into the streamwise flow, not the renewal of heat from eddies penetrating the wall layer. A method for the determination of the thickness of the thermal wall layer has been developed. The theory correlates adequately experimental data for both the thickness of the thermal wall layer and the Nusselt number. Key words: Heat transfer, penetration theory, turbulence, time scales.