Vertical-channel free convection with a power-law fluid

A finite difference solution is presented of the velocity and temperature fields for the flow of an Ostwald-de-Waele (power law) fluid between two vertical isothermal parallel plates under the influence of free convection. Two quantities are of particular interest: the total heat transferred from the plates and the average velocity between the plates. Although these quantities can be presented in a dimensionless manner as related to the generalized Grashof and Prandtl numbers, there is an important difference compared to the similar problem involving Newtonian fluids. In the present case, the generalized Prandtl number is not a fluid property but contains a geometric factor and thus the geometry of the system must be specified before the Prandtl number is fixed. The results and the manner in which they can be used as illustrated by a numerical example.