%0 Journal Article %A Hampel, Christopher %A Crowder, Hollis %A Dillon, Heather %D 2019 %I Begell House %K heat transfer, natural convection, schlieren imaging, image processing, MatLab, numerical simulation, vertical plate %N 6 %P 565-580 %R 10.1615/HeatTransRes.2018025783 %T STUDY OF LAMINAR NATURAL CONVECTION OF AN ISOTHERMAL VERTICAL PLATE USING SCHLIEREN PHOTOGRAPHY AND NUMERICAL METHODS %U https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/46784ef93dddff27,61f49b437223502c,0f8e0e9336b87ab1.html %V 50 %X The objective of this research has been to build the foundation for developing more advanced mathematical models for heat transfer research by understanding, with various techniques, the commonly accepted solution of laminar flow due to natural convection on an isothermal vertical plate. To form this foundation, a numerical solution to the Navier-Stokes equations was solved using traditional numerical methods, and schlieren photography was applied to a physical experiment of the plate to allow flow visualization. Schlieren images illustrated laminar boundary layer formation that was expected due to the temperature difference applied. Boundary layer thickness measurements taken from schlieren images were compared well with a theoretical correlation. In addition, the Boussinesq approximation for density was graphed for comparison to linearly interpolated density values associated with schlieren image color scale to approximate density values. Results showed that the image interpolation technique was in good agreement with the Boussinesq approximation. Furthermore, theoretical velocity and temperature profiles were solved with the similarity solution of the governing Navier-Stokes equations. %8 2019-02-14