scholarly journals Numerical analysis of natural convection in a prismatic enclosure

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walid Aich ◽  
Imen Hajri ◽  
Ahmed Omri

Natural convection heat transfer and fluid flow have been examined numerically using the control-volume finite-element method in an isosceles prismatic cavity, submitted to a uniform heat flux from below when inclined sides are maintained isothermal and vertical walls are assumed to be perfect thermal insulators, without symmetry assumptions for the flow structure. The aim of the study is to examine a pitchfork bifurcation occurrence. Governing parameters on heat transfer and flow fields are the Rayleigh number and the aspect ratio of the enclosure. It has been found that the heated wall is not isothermal and the flow structure is sensitive to the aspect ratio. It is also found that heat transfer increases with increasing of Rayleigh number and decreases with increasing aspect ratio. The effects of aspect ratio become significant especially for higher values of Rayleigh number. Eventually the obtained results show that a pitchfork bifurcation occurs at a critical Rayleigh number, above which the symmetric solutions becomes unstable and asymmetric solutions are instead obtained.

1991 ◽  
Vol 113 (4) ◽  
pp. 912-918 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Sefcik ◽  
B. W. Webb ◽  
H. S. Heaton

Steady, laminar natural convection in vertically vented two-dimensional enclosures has been investigated both experimentally and analytically. A vertically vented enclosure is one in which the buoyancy-driven flow and heat transfer are restricted by vents in the top and bottom bounding walls of the enclosure. The local heat transfer along the heated wall was determined using Mach-Zehnder interferometry, and the flow structure was determined using a smoke generation flow visualization technique. Analytically, the governing conservation equations were solved numerically using a control volume-based finite difference technique. The results reveal strongly nonuniform local heat transfer along the isothermal wall as a result of the blockage at the inlet. A local maximum and minimum occur in the lower half of the enclosure. The flow visualization and analytical predictions for the flow field reveal that these heat transfer extrema are attributed to separated flow effects near the inlet gap with the associated primary inlet flow impingement and bifurcation at the heated wall. The analysis predicts well the flow structure and local and average heat transfer data. The results show asymptotic behavior to the classical vertical parallel plate result in the limit as the vent gap approaches the enclosure width.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haoyu Zhai ◽  
Juan F. Torres ◽  
Yongling Zhao ◽  
Feng Xu

Abstract Natural convection in air over a heated section-triangular roof with a fixed aspect ratio of 0.1 is experimentally investigated. The development of the flow over the roof subject to a range of temperatures is measured by digital interferometry and thermocouples. The experiments present distinct images of the thermal boundary layer, which changes from a quasi-steady to an unsteady state as the surface temperature of the triangular roof increases. Contrary to numerical simulations previously published, the observed flow becomes unsteady, which is very likely influenced by uncontrolled perturbations at the critical Rayleigh number where a pitchfork bifurcation of a steady flow is theoretically expected.


1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. W. Webb ◽  
T. L. Bergman

Natural convection in an enclosure with a uniform heat flux on two vertical surfaces and constant temperature at the adjoining walls has been investigated both experimentally and theoretically. The thermal boundary conditions and enclosure geometry render the buoyancy-induced flow and heat transfer inherently three dimensional. The experimental measurements include temperature distributions of the isoflux walls obtained using an infrared thermal imaging technique, while the three-dimensional equations governing conservation of mass, momentum, and energy were solved using a control volume-based finite difference scheme. Measurements and predictions are in good agreement and the model predictions reveal strongly three-dimensional flow in the enclosure, as well as high local heat transfer rates at the edges of the isoflux wall. Predicted average heat transfer rates were correlated over a range of the relevant dimensionless parameters.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 229-244
Author(s):  
Mehdi Ahmadi ◽  
Seyed Ali Agha Mirjalily ◽  
Seyed Amir Abbas Oloomi

ABSTRACT: This study is conducted to investigate turbulent natural convection flow in an enclosure with thermal sources using the low-Reynolds number (LRN) k-? model. This enclosure has a cold source with temperature Tc and a hot source with temperature Th as thermal sources, other walls of the enclosure are adiabatic. The aim of this study is to predict the effect of change in Rayleigh number, repositioning of cold and hot sources, and thermal sources aspect ratio on the flow field, temperature, and rate of heat transfer. To achieve this aim, the equations of continuity, momentum, energy, turbulent kinetic energy, and kinetic energy dissipation are employed in the case of 2D turbulence with constant thermo-physical properties except the density in the buoyancy term (Boussinesq approximation). To numerically solve these equations, the finite volume method and SIMPLE algorithm are used. According to the modeling results, the most optimal temperature distribution in the enclosure is seen when the hot source is below the cold source. With decreasing distance between hot and cold sources, heat transfer rate increases. The maximal heat transfer rate is derived via study of the heating sources aspect ratio. In constant positions of cold and hot sources on a wall, the heat transfer rate increases with increasing Rayleigh number (Ra=109-1011). ABSTAK: Kajian ini dijalankan bagi mengkaji perubahan semula jadi aliran perolakan dalam tempat tertutup dengan sumber haba menggunakan model k-? nombor Reynolds-rendah (LRN). Bekas tertutup ini mempunyai dua sumber haba iaitu sumber sejuk dengan suhu Tc dan sumber panas dengan suhu Th, manakala dinding lain bekas ini adalah adiabatik. Tujuan kajian ini adalah bagi mengesan perubahan nombor Rayleigh, mengubah sumber sejuk dan panas dan nisbah sumber haba kepada kawasan aliran, suhu dan halaju perubahan haba. Bagi mencapai tujuan tersebut, persamaan sambungan, momentum, tenaga, tenaga kinetik perolakan, dan pengurangan tenaga kinetik telah dilaksanakan dalam kes perolakan 2D dengan sifat fizikal-haba berterusan (malar) kecuali isipadu terma keapungan (anggaran Boussinesq). Bagi menyelesaikan persamaan ini secara berangka, kaedah isipadu terhad dan algorithma MUDAH telah digunakan. Berdasarkan keputusan model, suhu distribusi optimal dalam bekas tertutup dilihat apabila sumber panas adalah kurang daripada sumber sejuk. Dengan pengurangan jarak antara sumber panas dan sejuk, kadar pertukaran haba meningkat. Kadar pertukaran haba maksima telah diperoleh melalui kajian nisbah  aspek sumber pemanasan. Kadar pertukaran haba bertambah dengan bertambahnya nombor Rayleigh  (Ra=109-1011), pada posisi tetap sumber sejuk dan panas pada dinding bekas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (10) ◽  
pp. 3659-3684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasul Mohebbi ◽  
Mohsen Izadi ◽  
Nor Azwadi Che Sidik ◽  
Gholamhassan Najafi

Purpose This paper aims to study the natural convection of a nanofluid inside a cavity which contains obstacles using lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The results have focused mainly on various parameters such as number and aspect ratio of roughness elements and different nanoparticle volume fraction. The isotherms and streamlines are presented to describe the hydrodynamics and thermal behaviors of the nanofluid flow throughout the enclosure. Design/methodology/approach The methodology of this paper consists of mathematical model, statement of the problem, nanofluid thermophysical properties, lattice Boltzmann method, LBM for fluid flow, LBM for heat transfer, numerical strategy, boundary conditions, Nusselt (Nu) number calculation, code validation and grid independence. Findings Natural convection heat transfers of a nanofluid inside cavities with and without rough elements have been studied. Lattice Boltzmann technique has been used as numerical approach. The results showed that at higher Rayleigh number (Ra = 106), there are denser streamlines near the left (source) and right wall (sink) which results in better cooling and enhances convective heat rejection to the heat sink. After a distinctive aspect ratio of rough elements (A = 0.1), change in streamline pattern which arises from increasing of aspect ratio does not have an important effect on isotherms. Results indicate that for lower Rayleigh number (Ra = 103), no variation in average Nu is observed with increasing in number of roughness, while for higher one (Ra = 106) average Nu decreases from N = 0 (smooth cavity) up to N = 4 and then remains constant (N = 6). Originality/value Currently, no argumentative and comprehensive extraction can be concluded without fully understanding the role of different arrangement of roughness. Some geometrical parameters such as aspect ratio, number and position of rough elements have been considered. Also, the effect of nanoparticle concentration was studied at different Ra number. Briefly, using LBM, this paper aims to investigate the natural convection of a nanofluid flow on the thermal and hydrodynamics parameters in the presence of rough element with various arrangements.


Author(s):  
M. Fayz-Al-Asad ◽  
M. J. H. Munshi ◽  
M.M.A. Sarker

The present study aims to analyze the natural convection flow and heat transfer in a wavy cavity with a single horizontal fin attached to its hot wall. Galerkin weighted residual finite element technique has been employed to solve the governing nonlinear dimensionless equations. The effects of model parameters like Rayleigh number, fin length and location on the fluid flow and heat transfer are investigated. The obtained results are exhibited graphically in terms of flow structure, temperature dispersion, velocity field, fin effectiveness, local Nusselt number, and average Nusselt number. It is observed that the different fin length and location have a substantial effect on flow structure and temperature field. Fin effectiveness is also studied and the highest fin effectiveness was found at fin length (L = 0.75). Besides, it is also found that the mean Nusselt number increases significantly with the increase of Rayleigh number and fin length. Wavy cavity becomes more effective on heat transfer behaviors and fluid flow than that of a square cavity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 2916-2941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taher Armaghani ◽  
A. Kasaeipoor ◽  
Mohsen Izadi ◽  
Ioan Pop

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to numerically study MHD natural convection and entropy generation of Al2O3-water alumina nanofluid inside of T-shaped baffled cavity which is subjected to a magnetic field. Design/methodology/approach Effect of various geometrical, fluid and flow factors such as aspect ratio of enclosure and baffle length, Rayleigh and Hartmann number of nanofluid have been considered in detail. The hydrodynamics and thermal indexes of nanofluid have been described using streamlines, isotherms and isentropic lines. Findings It is found that by enhancing Hartmann number, symmetrical streamlines gradually lose symmetry and their values decline. It is found that by enhancing Hartmann number, symmetrical streamlines gradually lose symmetry and their values decline. The interesting finding is an increase in the impact of Hartmann number on heat transfer indexes with augmenting Rayleigh number. However, with augmenting Rayleigh number and, thus, strengthening the buoyant forces, the efficacy of Hartmann number one, an index indicating the simultaneous impact of natural heat transfer to entropy generation increases. It is clearly seen that the efficacy of nanofluid on increased Nusselt number enhances with increasing aspect ratio of the enclosure. Based on the results, the Nusselt number generally enhances with the larger baffle length in the enclosure. Finally, with larger Hartmann number and lesser Nusselt one, entropy production is reduced. Originality/value The authors believe that all the results, both numerical and asymptotic, are original and have not been published elsewhere.


2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (8) ◽  
pp. 1060-1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nader Ben Cheikh ◽  
Brahim Ben Beya ◽  
Taieb Lili

The effect of aspect ratio on natural convection flow in a cavity submitted to periodic temperature boundary, is investigated numerically. The temperature of the heated wall is either maintained constant or varied sinusoidally with time while the temperature of the opposite vertical wall is maintained constant. The results are given for a range of varied parameters as Rayleigh number (5×103⩽Ra⩽106), cavity aspect ratio (1∕6⩽A⩽8), and period of the sinusoidally heated wall (1⩽τ⩽1600). The amplitude of oscillation (a=0.8) and the Prandtl number (Pr=0.71) were kept constant. The results obtained in the steady state regime show that the heat transfer averaged over the cold wall is maximum when the aspect ratio is in the range 1⩽A⩽2. In the case of a periodic temperature boundary, it is shown that the deviation between the mean heat transfer and the heat transfer of the constant heated case is larger for shallow cavities.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 1317-1323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Chang Cho ◽  
Her-Terng Yau ◽  
Cha’o-Kuang Chen

This paper investigates the natural convection heat transfer enhancement of Al2O3-water nanofluid in a U-shaped cavity. In performing the analysis, the governing equations are modeled using the Boussinesq approximation and are solved numerically using the finite-volume numerical method. The study examines the effects of the nanoparticle volume fraction, the Rayleigh number and the geometry parameters on the mean Nusselt number. The results show that for all values of the Rayleigh number, the mean Nusselt number increases as the volume fraction of nanoparticles increases. In addition, it is shown that for a given length of the heated wall, extending the length of the cooled wall can improve the heat transfer performance.


1989 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 649-656 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. W. Webb ◽  
D. P. Hill

Experiments have been performed to determine local heat transfer data for the natural convective flow of air between vertical parallel plates heated asymmetrically. A uniform heat flux was imposed along one heated wall, with the opposing wall of the channel being thermally insulated. Local temperature data along both walls were collected for a wide range of heating rates and channel wall spacings corresponding to the high modified Rayleigh number natural convection regime. Laminar flow prevailed in all experiments. Correlations are presented for the local Nusselt number as a function of local Grashof number along the channel. The dependence of both average Nusselt number and the maximum heated wall temperature on the modified Rayleigh number is also explored. Results are compared to previous analytical and experimental work with good agreement.


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