The entropy generation for a rotating sphere under uniform heat flux boundary condition in forced‐convection flow

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the problem of entropy generation around a spinning/non‐spinning solid sphere subjected to uniform heat flux boundary condition in the forced‐convection regime.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing continuity, momentum, energy and entropy generation equations are numerically solved for a wide range of the controlling parameters; Reynolds number and the dimensionless spin number.

Findings

The dimensionless overall total entropy generation increases with the dimensionless spin number. The effect of increasing the spin number on the fluid‐friction component of entropy generation is more significant compared to its effect on heat transfer entropy generation.

Research limitations/implications

Since the boundary‐layer analysis is used, the flow is presented up to only the point of external flow separation.

Practical implications

Entropy generation analysis can be used to evaluate the design of many heat transfer systems and suggest design improvements.

Originality/value

A review in the open literature indicated that no study is available for the entropy generation in the unconfined flow case about a spinning sphere.

Citation

Antar, M.A. and El‐Shaarawi, M.A.I. (2009), "The entropy generation for a rotating sphere under uniform heat flux boundary condition in forced‐convection flow", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 19 No. 3/4, pp. 396-410. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615530910938344