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Model experiments on free-convection heat and mass transfer of leaves and plant elements

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Abstract

Effects of orientation, shape, and surface structure on the free convection mass transfer of plates, leaf- and plant-models were studied in an electrolytic system. The results were extrapolated to the transfer of heat and mass in air, in an effort to predict realistic boundary-layer transfer coefficients for leaves and plant-like surfaces. Flow visualization complemented the investigation.

The results indicate that increases in transfer of 50% over that of a vertical plate are possible for non-vertical rough leaves, but that a 25% increase is a more reasonable estimate for an ‘average plant’. Evidence is also presented that more reliable caluclations of the transfer properties of pine needles are obtained if the needles are approximated by vertical cylinders, rather than by horizontal ones.

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  1. Macdonald Campus of McGill University, Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Que., Canada

    P. H. Schuepp

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  1. P. H. Schuepp
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Schuepp, P.H. Model experiments on free-convection heat and mass transfer of leaves and plant elements. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 3, 454–467 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01034988

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01034988

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