The thermal and laminar boundary layer flow over prolate and oblate spheroids

This paper is concerned with the thermal and laminar boundary layer flow over rotating axisymmetric bodies in an otherwise still fluid. The thermal boundary layer flow equations for two types of spheroids (prolate and oblate) are formulated. Similarly to the previous work of other researchers, the laminar flow equations for two types of spheroids are also reproduced. Furthermore, the series solutions are derived for the thermal and laminar flow equations for each body. The series solutions are numerically calculated and the laminar flow profiles for each spheroid along with its heat transfer profile are visualized in detail. It is shown that for increasing eccentricity, the convection effects are increasing at higher latitudes of prolate spheroids, while the conduction effects are dominated at these higher latitudes of oblate spheroids. The results for spheres are reproduced in the case of zero eccentricity. By using commercial routines from NAG, the solutions for rotating spheres in the case of laminar flow are also mentioned as in the previous existing works. In particular, the results from the transformation technique of solutions are in good agreement with those obtained from NAG in the case of spheres, particularly at lower latitudes for all eccentricities. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.