Graetz number

Dimensionless parameter in fluid mechanics

In fluid dynamics, the Graetz number (Gz) is a dimensionless number that characterizes laminar flow in a conduit. The number is defined as:[1]

G z = D H L R e P r {\displaystyle \mathrm {Gz} ={D_{H} \over L}\mathrm {Re} \,\mathrm {Pr} }

where

DH is the diameter in round tubes or hydraulic diameter in arbitrary cross-section ducts
L is the length
Re is the Reynolds number and
Pr is the Prandtl number.

This number is useful in determining the thermally developing flow entrance length in ducts. A Graetz number of approximately 1000 or less is the point at which flow would be considered thermally fully developed.[2]

When used in connection with mass transfer the Prandtl number is replaced by the Schmidt number, Sc, which expresses the ratio of the momentum diffusivity to the mass diffusivity.

G z = D H L R e S c {\displaystyle \mathrm {Gz} ={D_{H} \over L}\mathrm {Re} \,\mathrm {Sc} }

The quantity is named after the physicist Leo Graetz.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Nellis, G., and Klein, S. (2009) "Heat Transfer" (Cambridge), page 663.
2. ^ Shah, R. K., and Sekulic, D. P. (2003) "Fundamentals of Heat Exchanger Design" (John Wiley and Sons), page 503.

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