Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analysis of Buoyancy Flow in A Differentially Heated Square Cavity

Abstract

Abstract The present study analyzes conjugate heat transfer in a differentially heated square cavity. The left wall of the cavity is cooled, and the right wall is heated while the horizontal walls are adiabatic. Normalized continuity, momentum and energy transport equations were solved with the aid of COMSOL Multiphysics 5.4 software. The effects of Rayleigh number in the range of 102 ⩽ RA ⩽ 106 and Prandtl number in the range of 0.71 ⩽ PR ⩽ 100 on streamlines, isotherms, and the overall heat transfer in the cavity are reported. The results show that for all the Rayleigh numbers considered, the local Nusselt number and the average Nusselt number increase with increasing value of Rayleigh number. Furthermore, for 0.71 ⩽ PR ⩽ 100, the study reveals that Prandtl number has a minimal effect on the overall rate of heat transfer.