Forced convection correlations

This page lists the available forced convection correlations that the thermal solver supports. You specify these correlations in:

• The Forced Convection to Environment type of the Convection to Environment constraint. You provide the fluid material and the fluid velocity.

• The Forced Convection Coupling type of the Thermal Coupling - Convection simulation object. The fluid material and the fluid velocity are provided by the 1D fluid network.

• The HTCFORCE function in expressions when you define Thermal Convecting Zone, Thermal Stream, or Thermal Void loads. You need to provide the fluid velocity when you use this function in the Thermal Convecting Zone or Thermal Void load. In all cases, you provide the hydraulic radius.

Duct developing flow correlation

The duct developing flow correlation models convective heat transfer between the fluid in a duct network and the walls of the duct, using standard correlations for forced convection in a 1D flow system with a developing boundary layer. The thermal solver computes the characteristic length as the distance from the first upstream 1D network element to the 1D network element, where the computation is taking place.

This correlation is available for the Forced Convection Coupling type of the Thermal Coupling - Convection simulation object.

To specify the duct developing flow correlation in the HTCFORCE function, enter DUCT for the coupling type. If you do not provide the characteristic length value, the thermal solver computes the characteristic length.

Duct fully developed flow correlation

The duct fully developed flow correlation models convective heat transfer between the fluid in a duct network and the walls of the duct, using standard correlations for forced convection in a 1D flow system with a fully developed boundary layer.

This correlation is available for the Forced Convection Coupling type of the Thermal Coupling - Convection simulation object.

To specify the duct fully developed flow correlation in the HTCFORCE function, enter DUCT_FULL for the coupling type.

Flat plate in free stream correlation

The flat plate in free stream correlation models convective heat transfer between the fluid in a duct network and a plate in a free stream. The thermal solver computes the characteristic length as the distance from the first upstream 1D network element to the 1D network element, where the computation is taking place.

This correlation is available for the Forced Convection Coupling type of the Thermal Coupling - Convection simulation object.

To specify the flat plate in free stream correlation in the HTCFORCE function, enter PLATE for the coupling type. If you do not provide the characteristic length value, the thermal solver computes the characteristic length.

Plate aligned with free stream correlation

The plate aligned with free stream correlation models forced convection from a plate oriented such that the flow passes along one surface, or along both surfaces. You specify the length of the plate.

This correlation is available for the Forced Convection to Environment of the Convection to Environment constraint.

To specify the plate aligned with free stream correlation in the HTCFORCE function, enter PLATE_ENV for the coupling type. If you do not provide the characteristic length value, the thermal solver computes the characteristic length as the length of the plate in the direction of the flow. You need to provide the plate convection side. 1 indicates top side, 2 indicates bottom side, and 3 indicates both top and bottom sides.

Sphere in flow correlation

The sphere in flow correlation models forced convection on the outside of a sphere of the specified diameter.

This correlation is available for the Forced Convection to Environment of the Convection to Environment constraint.

This correlation is not supported in the HTCFORCE function.

Cylinder across flow correlation

The cylinder across flow correlation models forced convection on the outside of a cylinder of the specified diameter positioned perpendicular to the stream.

This correlation is available for the Forced Convection to Environment of the Convection to Environment constraint.

This correlation is not supported in the HTCFORCE function.

How do I

Create a Convection to Environment constraint

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Convection to Environment

Convection to Environment types

Free convection correlations

Inputs to expressions

Thermal Coupling — Convection

Thermal Coupling — Convection types

Across gap coupling convection correlations

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Auto-generated expressions

Thermal-flow functions in expressions

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