Stability of thermoviscous fluid flow under high temperature gradients

Abstract

In present study the influence of temperature-dependent viscosity, i.e. thermoviscosity on the pressure-driven flow in inhomogeneous temperature field has been recalled. Such viscous stratification impacts on the velocity profile asymmetry, significantly increases the entry length, and causes the velocity inflection point to appear. In certain cases, particularly under high temperature differences of channel walls, the thermoviscosity generates instability that in a view of high local Reynolds numbers can create turbulent zones.