FLOW OF GAS THROUGH A TUBE OF CONSTANT CROSS-SECTION WITH HEAT EXCHANGE THROUGH THE TUBE WALLS

Abstract

The influence of the exchange of heat between a gas flowing through a tube and the outside atmosphere on the pressure in the gas stream is usually overlooked. Theoretical investigations show, however, that this influence is marked in the case of large stream velocities, approximating the velocity of sound. In addition, the theory permits us to state that the heat exchange is possible only when the stream velocity is maintained beyond certain limits. For stream velocities within these limits, heat exchange is not possible.The conclusion is reached that the velocity of flow in the tube, if the tube is heated or cooled, shows a natural and permanent tendency to reach the velocity of sound, after which the heat exchange is no longer possible.Finally, this theoretical investigation shows that the present view that the heat conductance coefficient increases continually with the stream velocity is wrong. This coefficient will be equal to zero when the stream velocity reaches the velocity of sound. This means that it will reach a certain maximum value corresponding to a value of stream velocity which is not exactly known but which will be less than that of sound.