Simulation of Natural Convection in a Square Cavity With Partially Heated and Cooled Vertical Walls

Abstract

Natural convection driven by temperature differences between partially heated and cooled vertical walls in a square cavity is studied numerically. Steady or unsteady cellular flow structures and temperature patterns are illustrated along with the evolution of heat transfer rates in terms of Nusselt number. The cavity is filled with fluids of various Prandtl number, including .024 (liquid metal), .71 (air), 6 (water), and 450 (silicon oil). The effect of Prandtl and Rayleigh numbers on the flow regime and heat transfer is established along with two different thermal boundary conditions.