Mixed convection flow near an axisymmetric stagnation point on a vertical cylinder

The mixed convection flow near an axisymmetric stagnation point on a vertical cylinder is considered. The equations for the fluid flow and temperature fields reduce to similarity form that involves a Reynolds number R and a mixed convection parameter λ, as well as the Prandtl number σ. Numerical solutions are obtained for representative values of these parameters, which show the existence of a critical value λc = λc(R, σ) for the existence of solutions in the opposing (λ < 0) case. The variation of λc with R is considered. In the aiding (λ > 0) case solutions are possible for all λ and the asymptotic limit λ → ∞ is obtained. The limits of large and small R are also treated and the nature of the solution in the asymptotic limit of large Prandtl number is briefly discussed.