Boundary Layer

A boundary is a section of fluid that flows up-against some surface. Typically the velocity is slower closer to the surface, while at some distance away from the surface the velocity is traveling as fast as the rest of the fluid. This concept is called the velocity boundary layer. There are three main boundary layers covered in this course:

  1. Velocity boundary layer as mentioned above.
  2. Thermal boundary layer which is concerned with temperature.
  3. Concentration boundary layer which is concerned with mass.

Boundary layer thickness is denoted as .

There are multiple types of boundary layers, namely velocity boundary layer and thermal boundary layer.

Fluid flow inside a boundary layer can be laminar or turbulent.

See ME3304 S24 Lecture Note (3) Convection for more information.

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Boundary Layer