A short note on Joule heating in electro‐osmotic flows: A consistent non‐dimensional scaling

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to numerically model electro‐osmotic flow (EOF), Joule heating and heat transfer in a channel filled with an electrolyte and to introduce a consistent non‐dimensional scaling.

Design/methodology/approach

The finite element method along with a fractional step method is employed. Empirical relations for temperature dependent viscosity, electrical and thermal conductivities are also employed. Unstructured meshes are used in the numerical calculations.

Findings

The consistent scaling introduced in the present study is a better and easier way of modelling Joule heating effects in EOF.

Originality/value

The non‐dimensional scaling proposed is novel and consistent. The novelty is also introduced in the solution procedure as this is used for the first time to tackle EOF with Joule heating and conjugate heat transfer.

Citation

Nithiarasu, P. and Lewis, R.W. (2008), "A short note on Joule heating in electro‐osmotic flows: A consistent non‐dimensional scaling", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 18 No. 7/8, pp. 919-931. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615530810899024