Abstract

The steady three-dimensional flow of condensation or spraying on inclined spinning disk is studied analytically. The governing nonlinear equations and their associated boundary conditions are transformed into the system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The series solution of the problem is obtained by utilizing the homotopy perturbation method (HPM). The velocity and temperature profiles are shown and the influence of Prandtl number on the heat transfer and Nusselt number is discussed in detail. The validity of our solutions is verified by the numerical results. Unlike free surface flows on an incline, this through flow is highly affected by the spray rate and the rotation of the disk.

1. Introduction

The removal of a condensate liquid from a cooled, saturated vapor is important in engineering processes. Sparrow and Gregg [1] considered the removal of the condensate using centrifugal forces on a cooled rotating disk. Following von Karman’s [2] study of a rotating disk in an infinite fluid, Sparrow and Gregg transformed the Navier-Stokes equations into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations and numerically integrated for the similarity solution for several finite film thicknesses. Their work was extended by adding vapor drag by Beckett et al. [3] and adding suction on the plate by Chary and Sarma [4]. The problem is also related to chemical vapor deposition, when a thin fluid film is deposited on a cooled rotating disk [5].

Most of the scientific problems and phenomena are modeled by nonlinear ordinary or partial differential equations. In recent years, many powerful methods have been developed to construct explicit analytical solution of nonlinear differential equations. Among them, two analytical methods have drawn special attention, namely, the homotopy perturbation method (HPM) [6, 7] and homotopy analysis method (HAM) [811]. The essential idea in these methods is to introduce a homotopy parameter, say 𝑝, which takes the value from 0 to 1. For 𝑝=0, the system of equations takes a simplified form which readily admits a particularly simple solution. When 𝑝 is gradually increased to 1, the system goes through a sequence of “deformations,” the solution of each of which is “close” to that at the previous stage of “deformation.” Eventually at 𝑝=1, the system takes the original forms of equation and the final stage of “deformation” gives the desired solution.

We know all perturbation methods require small parameter in nonlinear equation and the approximate solutions of equation containing this parameter are expressed as series expansions in the small parameter. Selection of small parameter requires a special skill. A proper choice of small parameter gives acceptable results, while an improper choice may result in incorrect solutions. The homotopy perturbation method, which is a coupling of the traditional perturbation method and homotopy in topology, does not require a small parameter in equation modeling phenomena. In recent years, the HPM has been successfully employed to solve many types of linear and nonlinear problems such as the quadratic Ricatti differential equation [12], the axisymmetric flow over a stretching sheet [13], the fractional Fokker-Planck equations [14], the magnetohydrodynamic flow over a nonlinear stretching sheet [15], the thin-film flow of a fourth-grade fluid down a vertical cylinder [16], the fractional diffusion equation with absorbent term and external force [17], Burgers equation with finite transport memory [18], the system of Fredholm integral equations [19], the generalized Burger and Burger-Fisher equations [20], the wave and nonlinear diffusion equations [21], the flow through slowly expanding or contracting porous walls [22], the torsional flow of third grade fluid [23], Emden-Fowler equations [24], and Zakharov-Kuznetsov equations [25]. All of these successful applications verified the validity, effectiveness, and flexibility of the HPM.

With the above discussion in mind, the purpose of the present paper is to examine analytically the problem of condensation or spraying on an inclined rotating disk. The governing equations here are highly nonlinear coupled differential equations, which are solved by using the homotopy perturbation method. In this way, the letter has been organized as follows. In Section 2, the problem statement and mathematical formulation are presented. In Section 3, we extend the application of the HPM to construct the approximate solution for the governing equations. Section 4 contains the results and discussion. The conclusions are summarized in Section 5.

2. Problem Statement and Mathematical Formulation

Figure 1 shows a disk rotating in its own plane with angular velocity Ω. The angle between horizontal axis and disk is 𝛽. A fluid film of thickness 𝑡 is formed by spraying, with the 𝑊 velocity. We assume the disk radius is large compared to the film thickness such that the end effects can be ignored. Vapor shear effects at the interface of vapor and fluid are usually also unimportant. The gravitational acceleration, 𝑔, acts in the downward direction. The temperature on the disk is 𝑇𝑤 and the temperature on the film surface is 𝑇0. Besides, the ambient pressure on the film surface is constant at 𝑝0, and we can safely say the pressure is a function of 𝑧 only. Neglecting viscous dissipation, the continuity, momentum, and energy equations for steady state are given in the following form [26]:𝑢𝑥+𝑣𝑦+𝑤𝑧=0,(2.1)𝑢𝑢𝑥+𝑣𝑢𝑦+𝑤𝑢𝑧𝑢=𝜈𝑥𝑥+𝑢𝑦𝑦+𝑢𝑧𝑧+𝑔sin𝛽,(2.2)𝑢𝑣𝑥+𝑣𝑣𝑦+𝑤𝑣𝑧𝑣=𝜈𝑥𝑥+𝑣𝑦𝑦+𝑣𝑧𝑧,(2.3)𝑢𝑤𝑥+𝑣𝑤𝑦+𝑤𝑤𝑧𝑤=𝜈𝑥𝑥+𝑤𝑦𝑦+𝑤𝑧𝑧𝑝𝑔cos𝛽𝑧𝜌,(2.4)𝑢𝑇𝑥+𝑣𝑇𝑦+𝑤𝑇𝑧𝑇=𝛼𝑥𝑥+𝑇𝑦𝑦+𝑇𝑧𝑧.(2.5) In above equations, 𝑢, 𝑣, and 𝑤 indicate the velocity components in the 𝑥, 𝑦, and 𝑧 directions, 𝑇 denotes the temperature, 𝜌, 𝜈, and 𝛼 are the density, kinematic viscosity, and thermal diffusivity of the fluid, respectively. Supposing zero slip on the disk and zero shear on the film surface, the boundary conditions are 𝑢=Ω𝑦,𝑣=Ω𝑥,𝑤=0,𝑇=𝑇𝑤𝑢at𝑧=0,𝑧=0,𝑣𝑧=0,𝑤=𝑊,𝑇=𝑇0,𝑝=𝑝0at𝑧=𝑡.(2.6) For mentioned problem, Wang introduced the following transform [26]:𝑢=Ω𝑦𝑔(𝜂)+Ω𝑥𝑓(𝜂)+𝑔𝑘(𝜂)sin𝛽Ω,𝑣=Ω𝑥𝑔(𝜂)+Ω𝑦𝑓(𝜂)+𝑔𝑠(𝜂)sin𝛽Ω,𝑤=2𝑇Ω𝜈𝑓(𝜂),𝑇=0𝑇𝑤𝜃(𝜂)+𝑇𝑤,(2.7) where𝜂=𝑧Ω𝜈.(2.8) Continuity equation (2.1) automatically is satisfied. Equations (2.2) and (2.3) can be written as follows:𝑓𝑓2+𝑔2+2𝑓𝑓𝑔=0,2𝑔𝑓+2𝑓𝑔𝑘=0,𝑘𝑓+𝑠𝑔+2𝑓𝑘𝑠+1=0,𝑔𝑘𝑠𝑓+2𝑓𝑠=0.(2.9) If the temperature is a function of the distance 𝑧 only, (2.5) becomes𝜃+2Pr𝑓𝜃=0,(2.10) where Pr=𝜈/𝛼 is the Prandtl number. The boundary conditions for (2.9)-(2.10) are𝑓(0)=0,𝑓(0)=0,𝑓(𝛿)=0,𝑔(0)=1,𝑔(𝛿)=0,𝑘(0)=0,𝑘(𝛿)=0,𝑠(0)=0,𝑠(𝛿)=0,𝜃(0)=0,𝜃(𝛿)=1,(2.11) and 𝛿 is the constant normalized thickness as𝛿=𝑡Ω𝜈.(2.12) After the flow field is found, the pressure can be obtained by integrating (2.4):𝑝(𝑧)=𝑝0𝜈𝑤+𝜌𝑧(𝑧)𝑤𝑧𝑤(𝑡)2(𝑧)𝑤2(𝑡)2𝑔(𝑧𝑡)cos𝛽.(2.13)

3. Solution by Homotopy Perturbation Method

3.1. Basic Idea

Now, for convenience, consider the following general nonlinear differential equation:𝐴(𝑢)𝑓(𝑟)=0,𝑟Ω,(3.1) with boundary conditions:𝐵𝑢,𝜕𝑢𝜕𝑛=0,𝑟Γ,(3.2) where 𝐴 is a general differential operator, 𝐵 is a boundary operator, 𝑓(𝑟) is a known analytic function, and Γ is the boundary of the domain Ω.

The operator 𝐴 can, generally speaking, be divided into two parts 𝐿 and 𝑁, where 𝐿 is linear, and 𝑁 is nonlinear, therefore, (3.1) can be written as𝐿(𝑢)+𝑁(𝑢)𝑓(𝑟)=0.(3.3) By using homotopy technique, one can construct a homotopy ̃𝑢(𝑟,𝑝)Ω×[0,1] which satisfies 𝐻𝐿𝑢(̃𝑢,𝑝)=(1𝑝)(̃𝑢)𝐿0[𝐴]+𝑝(̃𝑢)𝑓(𝑟)=0,(3.4) or𝐻𝑢(̃𝑢,𝑝)=𝐿(̃𝑢)𝐿0𝑢+𝑝𝐿0[𝑁]+𝑝(̃𝑢)𝑓(𝑟)=0,(3.5) where 𝑝[0,1] is an embedding parameter, and 𝑢0 is the initial approximation of (3.1) which satisfies the boundary conditions. Clearly, we have𝐻𝑢(̃𝑢,0)=𝐿(̃𝑢)𝐿0=0,𝐻(̃𝑢,1)=𝐴(̃𝑢)𝑓(𝑟)=0.(3.6) The changing process of 𝑝 from zero to unity is just that of ̃𝑢(𝑟,𝑝) changing from 𝑢0(𝑟) to 𝑢(𝑟). This is called deformation, and also 𝐿(̃𝑢)𝐿(𝑢0) and 𝐴(̃𝑢)𝑓(𝑟) are called homotopic in topology. If the embedding parameter 𝑝(0𝑝1) is considered as a “small parameter,” applying the classical perturbation technique, we can naturally assume that the solution of (3.4) and (3.5) can be given as a power series in 𝑝:̃𝑢=̃𝑢0+𝑝̃𝑢1+𝑝2̃𝑢2+(3.7) and setting 𝑝=1 results in the approximate solution of (3.1) as𝑢=lim𝑝1̃𝑢=̃𝑢0+̃𝑢1+̃𝑢2+.(3.8)

The convergence of series (3.8) has been proved by He in his paper [27]. It is worth to note that the major advantage of He homotopy perturbation method is that the perturbation equation can be freely constructed in many ways (therefore, it is problem dependent) by homotopy in topology, and the initial approximation can also be freely selected. Moreover, the construction of the homotopy for the perturb problem plays very important role for obtaining desired accuracy.

3.2. Guidelines for Choosing Homotopy Equation

In a homotopy equation, what we are mainly concerned about are the auxiliary linear operator 𝐿 and the initial approximation 𝑢0. Once one chooses these parts, the homotopy equation is completely determined, because the remaining part is actually the original equation (3.5) and we have less freedom to change it. Here, we discuss some general rules that should be noted in choosing 𝐿 and 𝑢0.

3.2.1. Discussion on Auxiliary Linear Operator 𝐿

According to the steps of the homotopy perturbation method, 𝐿 should be as follows.

(i) Easy to Handle
We mean that it must be chosen in such a way that one has no difficulty in subsequently solving systems of resulting equations. It should be noted that this condition does not restrict 𝐿 to be linear. In scarce cases, as was done by He in [27] to solve the Lighthill equation, a nonlinear choice of 𝐿 may be more suitable; But it is strongly recommended for beginners to take a linear operator as 𝐿.

(ii) Closely Related to the Original Equation
Strictly speaking, in constructing 𝐿, it is better to use some part of the original equation [23]. We can see the effectiveness of this view in [28] where Chowdhury and Hashim have gained very good results with technically choosing the 𝐿 part.

3.2.2. Discussion on Initial Approximation 𝑢0

There is no unique universal technique for choosing the initial approximation in iterative methods, but from previous works done on HPM [29, 30] and our own experiences, we can conclude the following facts.

(i) It Should Be Obtained from the Original Equation
For example, it can be chosen to be the solution to some part of the original equation, or it can be chosen from initial/boundary conditions.

(ii) It Should Reduce Complexity of the Resulting Equations
Although this condition only can be checked after solving some of the first few equations of the resulting system, this is the criteria that has been used by many authors when they encountered different choices as an initial approximation.

3.2.3. Completive Discussion on Auxiliary Convergence-Control Parameter

An important point to note is that, whenever we apply an auxiliary parameter as a factor for second term of homotopy equation (3.4), we have an option for convergence control of series solution. Foregoing parameter would be applicable similar to convergence-control parameter in homotopy analysis method pointed out by Liao [31].

3.3. Application for Steady Three-Dimensional Flow of Condensation Film on Inclined Spinning Disk

To investigate the explicit and totally analytic solutions of present problem by using HPM, we first define homotopy 𝑓(𝜂,𝑝)Ω×[0,1], ̃𝑔(𝜂,𝑝)Ω×[0,1], ̃𝑘(𝜂,𝑝)Ω×[0,1], ̃s(𝜂,𝑝)Ω×[0,1], and ̃𝜃(𝜂,𝑝)Ω×[0,1] for (2.9)-(2.10) which satisfies𝐿(1𝑝)1𝑓𝐿1𝑓0𝑓+𝑝𝑓2+̃𝑔2𝑓𝑓+2𝐿=0,(1𝑝)2(̃𝑔)𝐿2𝑔0+𝑝̃𝑔𝑓2̃𝑔+2𝑓̃𝑔𝐿=0,(1𝑝)3̃𝑘𝐿3𝑘0̃𝑘+𝑝̃𝑘𝑓𝑓̃𝑘+̃𝑠̃𝑔+2𝐿+1=0,(1𝑝)4(̃𝑠)𝐿4𝑠0+𝑝̃𝑠̃𝑓̃𝑔𝑘̃𝑠+2𝑓̃𝑠𝐿=0,(1𝑝)5̃𝜃𝐿5𝜃0̃𝜃+𝑝𝑓̃𝜃+2Pr=0,(3.9) where 𝐿1,𝐿2,𝐿3,𝐿4, and𝐿5 are linear operators as follows: 𝐿1𝑓=𝑑3𝑓𝑑𝜂3,𝐿2𝑑(̃𝑔)=2̃𝑔𝑑𝜂2,𝐿3̃𝑘=𝑑2̃𝑘𝑑𝜂2,𝐿4𝑑(̃𝑠)=2̃𝑠𝑑𝜂2,𝐿5̃𝜃=𝑑2̃𝜃𝑑𝜂2.(3.10) We choose𝑓01(𝜂)=33𝛿𝜂2𝜂3,𝑔0𝑘(𝜂)=1,0(1𝜂)=22𝛿𝜂𝜂2,𝑠01(𝜂)=22𝛿𝜂𝜂2,𝜃0𝜂(𝜂)=𝛿,(3.11) as initial approximations of 𝑓(𝜂), 𝑔(𝜂), 𝑘(𝜂), 𝑠(𝜂), and 𝜃(𝜂), which satisfy the boundary conditions (2.11). Assume the solutions of (3.9) have the forms:𝑓𝑓(𝜂)=0𝑓(𝜂)+𝑝1(𝜂)+𝑝2𝑓2(𝜂)+,̃𝑔(𝜂)=̃𝑔0(𝜂)+𝑝̃𝑔1(𝜂)+𝑝2̃𝑔2̃̃𝑘(𝜂)+,𝑘(𝜂)=0̃𝑘(𝜂)+𝑝1(𝜂)+𝑝2̃𝑘2(𝜂)+,̃𝑠(𝜂)=̃𝑠0(𝜂)+𝑝̃𝑠1(𝜂)+𝑝2̃𝑠2̃̃𝜃(𝜂)+,𝜃(𝜂)=0̃𝜃(𝜂)+𝑝1(𝜂)+𝑝2̃𝜃2(𝜂)+,(3.12) where 𝑓𝑖(𝜂), ̃𝑔𝑖(𝜂), ̃𝑘𝑖(𝜂), ̃𝑠𝑖(𝜂), and̃𝜃𝑖(𝜂),𝑖=1,2,3, are functions yet to be determined. Substituting (3.12) into (3.9) and equating the terms with identical powers of 𝑝, we have 𝑝0𝑓0𝑓0𝑓=0,0𝑓(0)=0,0𝑓(0)=0,0(𝛿)=0,̃𝑔0𝑔0=0,̃𝑔0(0)=1,̃𝑔0(̃𝑘𝛿)=0,0𝑘0̃𝑘=0,0̃𝑘(0)=0,0(𝛿)=0,̃𝑠0𝑠0=0,̃𝑠0(0)=0,̃𝑠0̃𝜃(𝛿)=0,0𝜃0̃𝜃=0,0̃𝜃(0)=0,0𝑝(𝛿)=1,1𝑓1+𝑓0𝑓02+̃𝑔20𝑓+20𝑓0𝑓=0,1𝑓(0)=0,1𝑓(0)=0,1(𝛿)=0,̃𝑔1+𝑔02̃𝑔0𝑓0𝑓+20̃𝑔0=0,̃𝑔1(0)=0,̃𝑔1̃𝑘(𝛿)=0,1+𝑘0̃𝑘0𝑓0+̃𝑠0̃𝑔0𝑓+20̃𝑘0̃𝑘+1=0,1̃𝑘(0)=0,1(𝛿)=0,̃𝑠1+𝑠0̃𝑘0̃𝑔0̃𝑠0𝑓0𝑓+20̃𝑠0=0,̃𝑠1(0)=0,̃𝑠1̃𝜃(𝛿)=0,1+𝜃0𝑓+2Pr0̃𝜃0̃𝜃=0,1̃𝜃(0)=0,1𝑝(𝛿)=0,2𝑓2𝑓20𝑓1+2̃𝑔0̃𝑔1𝑓+20𝑓1𝑓+21𝑓0𝑓=0,2𝑓(0)=0,2𝑓(0)=0,2(𝛿)=0,̃𝑔02̃𝑔0𝑓12̃𝑔1𝑓0𝑓+20̃𝑔1𝑓+21̃𝑔0=0,̃𝑔2(0)=0,̃𝑔2(̃𝑘𝛿)=0,2̃𝑘0𝑓1̃𝑘1𝑓0+̃𝑠0̃𝑔1+̃𝑠1̃𝑔0𝑓+20̃𝑘1𝑓+21̃𝑘0̃𝑘=0,2̃𝑘(0)=0,2(𝛿)=0,̃𝑠2̃𝑘0̃𝑔1̃𝑘1̃𝑔0̃𝑠0𝑓1̃𝑠1𝑓0𝑓+20̃𝑠1𝑓+21̃𝑠0=0,̃𝑠2(0)=0,̃𝑠2̃𝜃(𝛿)=0,2𝑓+2Pr0̃𝜃1𝑓+2Pr1̃𝜃0̃𝜃=0,2̃𝜃(0)=0,2(𝛿)=0,(3.13) The solutions of system (3.13) may be written as follows:𝑓01(𝜂)=33𝛿𝜂2𝜂3,̃𝑔0̃𝑘(𝜂)=1,0(1𝜂)=22𝛿𝜂𝜂2,̃𝑠01(𝜂)=22𝛿𝜂𝜂2,̃𝜃0𝜂(𝜂)=𝛿,𝑓11(𝜂)=630315𝛿+84𝛿5𝜂2105𝜂37𝛿𝜂6+𝜂7,̃𝑔11(𝜂)=68𝛿3𝜂4𝛿𝜂3+𝜂4,̃𝑘11(𝜂)=360120𝛿3+48𝛿5𝜂+60𝛿𝜂315𝜂412𝛿𝜂5+2𝜂6,̃𝑠11(𝜂)=360360𝛿+120𝛿3+48𝛿5𝜂180𝜂260𝛿𝜂3+15𝜂412𝛿𝜂5+2𝜂6,̃𝜃1(𝜂)=Pr30𝛿4𝛿4𝜂+5𝛿𝜂4𝜂5,(3.14) In the same manner, the rest of components were obtained using the MATHEMATICA Package. According to the HPM, we can conclude that𝑓(𝜂)=lim𝑝1𝑓𝑓(𝜂)=0𝑓(𝜂)+1𝑓(𝜂)+2(𝜂)+,𝑔(𝜂)=lim𝑝1̃𝑔(𝜂)=̃𝑔0(𝜂)+̃𝑔1(𝜂)+̃𝑔2(𝜂)+,𝑘(𝜂)=lim𝑝1̃̃𝑘𝑘(𝜂)=0̃𝑘(𝜂)+1̃𝑘(𝜂)+2𝑠(𝜂)+,(𝜂)=lim𝑝1̃𝑠(𝜂)=̃𝑠0(𝜂)+̃𝑠1(𝜂)+̃𝑠2(𝜂)+,𝜃(𝜂)=lim𝑝1̃̃𝜃𝜃(𝜂)=0̃𝜃(𝜂)+1̃𝜃(𝜂)+2(𝜂)+.(3.15)

4. Results and Discussion

Figures 2 and 3 show the normalized velocity profiles 𝑓(𝜂), 𝑓(𝜂), 𝑔(𝜂), 𝑘(𝜂), and𝑠(𝜂) obtained by the HPM in comparison with the numerical solution by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method. From Figures 2 and 3, we can see a very good agreement between the purely analytic results of the HPM and numerical results. The net flow due to the tilting of the disk includes two components. The net draining flow per width in the 𝑥 direction and induced net flow in the lateral 𝑦 direction, normalized by𝑔𝜈/Ω3sin𝛽, are𝛿0𝑘(𝜂)𝑑𝜂and 𝛿0𝑠(𝜂)𝑑𝜂, respectively. Figure 4 shows the normalized draining and lateral flow rate obtained by the HPM. Another one of the important quantities is the net force on the disk. The net forces per unit area in the 𝑥 and 𝑦 directions, normalized by 𝜌𝑔𝜈/Ωsin𝛽, are 𝑘(0) and 𝑠(0), respectively. Figure 5 shows these quantities. The normalized temperature profiles for different values of the Prandtl number are represented in Figure 6. The value of 𝜃(0) represents the local heat transfer on the disk normalized by 𝑘(𝑇0𝑇𝑤)Ω/𝜈, where 𝑘 is the thermal conductivity. We show 𝜃(0) for different values of the Prandtl number in Figure 7. The Nusselt number is defined byNu=(𝜕𝑇/𝜕𝑧)𝑤𝑇0𝑇𝑤=𝛿𝜃(0).(4.1) The Nusselt number for different values of the Prandtl number is illustrated in Figure 8. This figure elucidates that the Nusselt number increases with thickness. Furthermore, the Nusselt number approaches one as thickness tends to zero.

5. Final Remarks

In this paper, the homotopy perturbation method (HPM) was used for finding the totally analytic solutions of the system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations derived from similarity transform for the steady three-dimensional problem of fluid deposition on an inclined rotating disk. The analytical results depicted by the graphs are consistent with the graphs produced by the fourth-order Runge-Kutta method, and, therefore, further establish the reliability and effectiveness of the HPM solution. This method provides an analytical approximate solution without any assumption of linearization. This character is very important for systems with strong nonlinearities which could be extremely sensitive to small changes in parameters. The solution obtained by means of HPM is an infinite power series for appropriate initial approximation, which can be, in turn, expressed in a closed form. In this regard, the homotopy perturbation method is found to be a very useful analytic technique to get highly accurate and purely analytic solution to such kind of nonlinear problems.