Natural convection in a Square Enclosure with Partially Active Vertical Wall

Abstract

Steady, laminar, natural convection flow in a square enclosure with partially active vertical wall is considered. The enclosure is filled with air and subjected to horizontal temperature gradient. Finite volume method is used to solve the dimensionless governing equations. The physical problem depends on three parameters: Rayleigh number (Ra =103-106), Prandtl number (Pr=0.71), and the aspect ratio of the enclosure (A=1). The active location takes two positions in the left wall: top (T) and middle (M). The main focus of the study is on examining the effect of Rayleigh number on fluid flow and heat transfer rate. The results including the streamlines, isotherm patterns, flow velocity and the average Nusselt number for different values of Ra. The obtained results show that the increase of Ra leads to enhance heat transfer rate. The fluid particles move with greater velocity for higher thermal Rayleigh number. Also by moving the active location from the top to the middle on the left vertical wall, convection and heat transfer rate are more important in case (M). Furthermore for high Rayleigh number (Ra=106), Convection mechanism in (T) case is principally in the top of the enclosure, whereas in the remaining case it covers the entire enclosure.