Finite element analysis on heat convection effect on air temperature distribution in a heated room

Abstract

Using the finite element method to solve heat transfer problem in solid medium has been popular since last century, but heat convection effect in fluid medium makes the problem cumbersome to solve efficiently. Thermal transfer calculation of fluid medium is complicated, because solving heat convection and Navier-Stokes equation is hard. By making proper assumptions, intricate equations can be skipped, and it is possible to give rough estimate of heat transfer result through a simple and efficient calculation. Which is significant for design and verifiction of heating system for physicists and engineers. The study aims to solve the temperature distribution of a certain heat system, using finite elment method and with given assumpted air circumfluence. In the calculation, the room domain is subdivided into finite elments, and the boundary condition is given according to the heat influx and emmision, air circumfluence is introduced to simulate the effect of convection. The simplified model illustrated that the finite element method is effective in giving quantitative result of heat transfer calculation. It also qualitatively showcased the significance of heat convection, when the result is compared to calculation without any air flow.