Transient free convection about a vertical flat plate embedded in a porous medium (Q794523)

The authors adopt the boundary layer equations for a Darcian fluid and they assume a representation of temperature by means of the complementary error function depending on the nondimensional boundary layer thickness \(\Delta\). This yields a hyperbolic partial differential equation for \(\Delta\) which is solved (a) by use of the method of characteristics and (b) approximately by use of an integral method. This is carried out for a step increase in the spatially constant wall temperature or wall heat flux. Authors discuss results for the transient change of \(\Delta\) and the approach of the steady state.