Physical–numerical parameters in laminar simulations of natural convection on three-dimensional square plates

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sílvio Aparecido Verdério Júnior ◽  
Vicente Luiz Scalon ◽  
Santiago del Rio Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Natural Convection ◽  
Laminar Flow ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Flow Regime ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Problem Situation ◽  
Wall Functions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Laminar Flow Regime

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of the main physical–numerical parameters in the computational evaluation of natural convection heat transfer rates in isothermal flat square plates in the laminar regime. Moreover by experimentally validate the results of the numerical models and define the best parameter settings for the problem situation studied. Design/methodology/approach The present work is an extension of the study by Verderio Junior et al. (2021), differing in the modeling, results analysis and conclusions for the laminar flow regime with Rade=1×105. The analysis of the influence and precision of the physical–numerical parameters: boundary conditions, degree of mesh refinement, refinement layers and κ – ω SST and κ – ε turbulence models, occurred from the results from 48 numerical models, which were simulated using the OpenFOAM® software. Comparing the experimental mean Nusselt number with the numerical values obtained in the simulations and the analysis of the relative errors were used in the evaluation of the advantages, restrictions and selection of the most adequate parameters to the studied problem situation. Findings The numerical results of the simulations were validated, with excellent precision, from the experimental reference by Kitamura et al. (2015). The application of the κ – ω SST and κ – ε turbulence models and the boundary conditions (with and without wall functions) were also physically validated. The use of the κ – ω SST and κ – ε turbulence models, in terms of cost-benefit and precision, proved to be inefficient in the problem situation studied. Simulations without turbulence models proved to be the best option for the physical model for the studies developed. The use of refinement layers, especially in applications with wall functions and turbulence models, proved unfeasible. Practical implications Use of the physical–numerical parameters studied and validated, and application of the modeling and analysis methodology developed in projects and optimizations of natural convection thermal systems in a laminar flow regime. Just like, reduce costs and the dependence on the construction of experimental apparatus to obtain experimental results and in the numerical-experimental validation process. Social implications Exclusive use of free and open-source computational tools as an alternative to feasible research in the computational fluid dynamics area in conditions of budget constraints and lack of higher value-added infrastructure, with applicability in the academic and industrial areas. Originality/value The results and discussions presented are original and new for the applied study of laminar natural convection in isothermal flat plate, with analysis and validation of the main physical and numerical influence parameters.

Physical–numerical parameters in turbulent simulations of natural convection on three-dimensional square plates

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sílvio Aparecido Verdério Júnior ◽  
Vicente Luiz Scalon ◽  
Santiago del Rio Oliveira ◽  
Mario Cesar Ito
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Natural Convection ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Convection Heat Transfer ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Natural Convection Heat Transfer ◽  
Problem Situation ◽  
Convection Heat ◽  
Wall Functions ◽  
Content Type

Purpose This paper aims to study, experimentally validate and select the main physical and numerical parameters of influence in computational numerical simulations to evaluate mean heat flux by natural convection on square flat plates. Design/methodology/approach Several numerical models were built to study the influence of physical and numerical parameters about the predictions of the natural convection heat transfer rates on the surface of a flat plate with aspect ratio = 1, in isothermal conditions, turbulent regime and using the free and open-source software OpenFOAM®. The studied parameters were: boundary conditions (using or not using wall functions in properties ε, κ, νt and ω), degree of mesh refinement, refinement layers and turbulence models [κ – ε and κ – ω Shear Stress Transport (SST)]. From the comparison of the values of the mean Nusselt number, obtained from numerical simulations and literature experimental results, the authors evaluated the precision of the studied parameters, validating and selecting the most appropriate to the analyzed problem situation. Findings The validation and agreement of the numerical results could be proven with excellent precision from experimental references of the technical scientific literature. More refined meshes with refinement layers were not suitable for the studies developed. The κ – ε and κ – ω SST turbulence models, in meshes without refinement layers, proved to be equivalent. Whether or not to use wall functions in turbulent boundary conditions proved to be irrelevant as to the accuracy of results for the problem situation studied. Practical implications Use of the physical and numerical parameters is studied and validated for various applications in natural convection heat transfer of technology and industry areas. Social implications Use of free and open-source software as a research tool in the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) area, especially in conditions without large financial resources or state-of-the-art infrastructure. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this work is yet not available in existing literature.

Heat transfer enhancement using second mode self-oscillating structures

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 3827-3842
Author(s):  
Samer Ali ◽  
Zein Alabidin Shami ◽  
Ali Badran ◽  
Charbel Habchi
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Nusselt Number ◽  
Laminar Flow ◽  
Flow Regime ◽  
Vortex Generator ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Laminar Flow Regime ◽  
Second Mode

Purpose In this paper, self-sustained second mode oscillations of flexible vortex generator (FVG) are produced to enhance the heat transfer in two-dimensional laminar flow regime. The purpose of this study is to determine the critical Reynolds number at which FVG becomes more efficient than rigid vortex generators (RVGs). Design/methodology/approach Ten cases were studied with different Reynolds numbers varying from 200 to 2,000. The Nusselt number and friction coefficients of the FVG cases are compared to those of RVG and empty channel at the same Reynolds numbers. Findings For Reynolds numbers higher than 800, the FVG oscillates in the second mode causing a significant increase in the velocity gradients generating unsteady coherent flow structures. The highest performance was obtained at the maximum Reynolds number for which the global Nusselt number is improved by 35.3 and 41.4 per cent with respect to empty channel and rigid configuration, respectively. Moreover, the thermal enhancement factor corresponding to FVG is 72 per cent higher than that of RVG. Practical implications The results obtained here can help in the design of novel multifunctional heat exchangers/reactors by using flexible tabs and inserts instead of rigid ones. Originality/value The originality of this paper is the use of second mode oscillations of FVG to enhance heat transfer in laminar flow regime.

Interaction between natural and forced convections at a sphere in a laminar flow regime

1988 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-287
Author(s):  
Arnošt Kimla ◽  
Jiří Míčka
Keyword(s):  
Natural Convection ◽  
Laminar Flow ◽  
Boundary Value Problem ◽  
Numerical Solution ◽  
Flow Regime ◽  
Forced Convection ◽  
Qualitative Agreement ◽  
Boundary Value ◽  
Good Qualitative Agreement ◽  
Laminar Flow Regime

The authors deal with the formulation and solution of a boundary value problem describing the influence of natural convection on forced convection during diffusion to a sphere in a laminar flow regime, the orientation of the natural convection being opposite to that of the forced one. The results of numerical solution are discussed and compared with the case where the orientation of both types of convection is the same. There is a good qualitative agreement with illustrative physical concepts referring both to hydrodynamics and concentrations.

Effects of complex boundary conditions on natural convection of a viscoplastic fluid

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 2792-2808 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behnam Rafiei ◽  
Hamed Masoumi ◽  
Mohammad Saeid Aghighi ◽  
Amine Ammar
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Natural Convection ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Yield Stress ◽  
Heated Wall ◽  
Uniform Heating ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Yield Stress Fluids ◽  
Complex Boundary

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effects of complex boundary conditions on natural convection of a yield stress fluid in a square enclosure heated from below (uniformly and non-uniformly) and symmetrically cooled from the sides. Design/methodology/approach The governing equations are solved numerically subject to continuous and discontinuous Dirichlet boundary conditions by Galerkin’s weighted residuals scheme of finite element method and using a non-uniform unstructured triangular grid. Findings Results show that the overall heat transfer from the heated wall decreases in the case of non-uniform heating for both Newtonian and yield stress fluids. It is found that the effect of yield stress on heat transfer is almost similar in both uniform and non-uniform heating cases. The yield stress has a stabilizing effect, reducing the convection intensity in both cases. Above a certain value of yield number Y, heat transfer is only due to conduction. It is found that a transition of different modes of stability may occur as Rayleigh number changes; this fact gives rise to a discontinuity in the variation of critical yield number. Originality/value Besides the new numerical method based on the finite element and using a non-uniform unstructured grid for analyzing natural convection of viscoplastic materials with complex boundary conditions, the originality of the present work concerns the treatment of the yield stress fluids under the influence of complex boundary conditions.

Natural convection flow in a vertical micro-annulus with time-periodic thermal boundary conditions

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1064-1081
Author(s):  
Basant Kumar Jha ◽  
Michael O. Oni
Keyword(s):  
Nusselt Number ◽  
Natural Convection ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Skin Friction ◽  
Convection Flow ◽  
Natural Convection Flow ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Thermal Boundary Conditions ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Time Periodic

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of time-periodic thermal boundary conditions on natural convection flow in a vertical micro-annulus.Design/methodology/approachAnalytical solution in terms of Bessel’s function and modified Bessel’s function of order 0 and 1 is obtained for velocity, temperature, Nusselt number, skin friction and mass flow rate.FindingsIt is established that the role of Knudsen number and fluid–wall interaction parameter is to decrease fluid temperature, velocity, Nusselt number and skin friction.Research limitations/implicationsNo laboratory practical or experiment was conducted.Practical implicationsCooling device in electronic panels, card and micro-chips is frequently cooled by natural convection.Originality/valueIn view of the amount of works done on natural convection in microchannel, it becomes interesting to investigate the effect that time-periodic heating has on natural convection flow in a vertical micro-annulus. The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of time-periodic thermal boundary conditions on natural convection flow in a vertical micro-annulus.

Comparative Thermal Performance Analysis on Helical Screw Insert in Tube With Number of Strips With Nanofluid at Laminar Flow Regime

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shashank Ranjan Chaurasia ◽  
R. M. Sarviya
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Nusselt Number ◽  
Laminar Flow ◽  
Flow Regime ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Nanofluid Flow ◽  
Laminar Flow Regime ◽  
Twist Ratio ◽  
Single Strip

Abstract The experimental analysis is arranged to evaluate the thermal hydraulic performance on nanofluid flow in helical screw insert with tube at a number of strips and different twist ratios in laminar flow regime. The single strip (SS) helical screw inserts are also compared with the double strip (DS) helical screw inserts. The heat transfer enhancement is achieved with nanofluid flow in double strip as compared with single strip helical screw insert at decreased values of twist ratio and increased values of Reynolds number. A maximum enhancement of 421% is found in the value of Nusselt number with double strip helical screw insert at twist ratio of 1.5 and low value of Reynolds number in the flow of nanofluid than water in plain tube. The common correlations of Nusselt number and friction factor are generated. The thermal performance factor (TPF) is achieved at a maximum value of 2.42 with double strip than single strip helical screw inserts at twist ratio of 2.5 and low value of Reynolds number. The present analysis shows suitability of the double strip helical screw insert to enable miniaturization of the heat exchangers. A compact heat exchanger decreases the size of thermal application such as solar water heater, solar power plants, electronic cooling systems, radiator, etc., which could save environment by pollution reduction with utilization of energy.

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