Numerical simulation of transient forced convection in a square enclosure containing two heated circular cylinders

Abstract

Purpose – Unsteady simulation of forced convection of two heated horizontal cylinders confined in a 2D squared enclosure. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach – The finite-volume method is used to solve the transient heat transfer problem by employing quadrilateral mesh type. To solve the governing equations (conservations of mass, momentum and energy) on unstructured control volumes, a second-order quadratic upwind interpolation of convective kinematics scheme for the convection terms and the semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations pressure correction algorithm were used. Findings – The results indicate that the variation of the area-averaged Nusselt number strongly depends on the Reynolds number. On the contrary, the effect of cylinders’ space on heat transfer was found to be nearly negligible for Re < 460. It is also observed that steady state flow and heat transfer shift to periodical oscillation, and ultimately chaotic oscillation in non-dimensional cylinders distance of 0.1; however the sequence of appearing this route is completely different for higher cylinder spaces. Research limitations/implications – Reynolds numbers between 380 and 550 and dimensionless horizontal distances of cylinders 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3. Originality/value – Comprehensive knowledge of the effect of tube arrays flow regime on each other and in turn, heat transfer among them. Better understanding of convective heat transfer around an array of horizontal cylinders compared with from those around a single cylinder because of the mutual interaction of the buoyant plumes generated by the cylinders. Time-dependent phenomena of the problem including periodical oscillation or chaotic features.