Analysis of Combined Buoyancy Effects of Thermal and Mass Diffusion on Laminar Forced Convection Heat Transfer in a Vertical Tube

This study investigates the role of vaporization of a thin liquid film on the tube wall in laminar mixed convection flows under the combined buoyancy effects of thermal and mass diffusion. Major nondimensional groups identified are Gr_T, Gr_M, Re, Pr, Sc, and φ. Results are specifically presented for an air–water system under various conditions. The effects of the liquid film temperature, the Reynolds number, and the relative humidity of the moist air in the ambient on the momentum, heat, and mass transfer in the flow are examined in great detail.