Local Sherwood Number For Flat Plate In Laminar Flow Calculator

Formula Used:

\[ \text{Local Sherwood Number} = 0.332 \times (\text{Local Reynolds Number})^{0.5} \times (\text{Schmidt Number})^{0.333} \]

Local Sherwood Number (Lsh):

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1. What is the Local Sherwood Number?

The Local Sherwood Number is a dimensionless number that represents the ratio of convective mass transfer to diffusive mass transport at a specific location on a surface. It is particularly important in analyzing mass transfer in laminar flow over flat plates.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

\[ \text{Local Sherwood Number} = 0.332 \times (\text{Local Reynolds Number})^{0.5} \times (\text{Schmidt Number})^{0.333} \]

Where:

Local Reynolds Number - Ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces at a specific location
Schmidt Number - Ratio of momentum diffusivity to mass diffusivity

Explanation: This formula is derived from boundary layer theory for laminar flow over flat plates and provides the local mass transfer coefficient at a specific point along the plate.

3. Importance of Local Sherwood Number Calculation

Details: Accurate calculation of the Local Sherwood Number is crucial for designing and analyzing mass transfer processes in various engineering applications, including chemical processing, heat exchangers, and environmental engineering systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the Local Reynolds Number and Schmidt Number as positive values. Both values must be greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the range of validity for this formula?
A: This formula is valid for laminar flow over flat plates with Reynolds Numbers typically below 5×10⁵.

Q2: How does the Local Sherwood Number differ from the Average Sherwood Number?
A: The Local Sherwood Number gives the mass transfer coefficient at a specific point, while the Average Sherwood Number provides the mean value over the entire surface.

Q3: What factors affect the Local Sherwood Number?
A: The Local Sherwood Number depends on the flow velocity, fluid properties, and position along the plate.

Q4: Can this formula be used for turbulent flow?
A: No, this specific formula is only valid for laminar flow. Different correlations exist for turbulent flow conditions.

Q5: What are typical values for Schmidt Number in common fluids?
A: Schmidt Numbers typically range from 0.1 to 10,000 depending on the fluid and diffusing species.