A complex-variable boundary element approach to fully developed flow and heat transfer in ducts of general cross-section

The complex-variable boundary element method (CVBEM) is used to analyse forced convection in cooling passages with general, convex cross-sections. Quadratic spline interpolation is employed for the modelling of coupled velocity and temperature elds. The method is well-suited for ducts with curved surfaces and high geometric aspect ratios. The method is illustrated for ducts with rounded rectangular, elliptical and rounded diamond cross-sections. General correlations are presented for the fully developed Nusselt number and Moody friction factor, and the Hagenbach entrance region factor