Numerical analysis of heat transfer in a fluid/solid coupled system

Combined conduction and convection in a conjugated system is analysed utilising the finite element method. The basic governing equation, in a non-dimensional form, are transformed, using the Galerkin weighted residual approach, into a form suitable for the application of the adopted numerical approach. It is demonstrated, by analysing heat transfer in a particular solid/fluid system, that at relatively low Peclet numbers an upwinding scheme has to be employed in order to solve the energy equation. The importance of the inclusion of axial as well as lateral conduction in the solid zone is also investigated. (orig.)