Experimental and numerical investigation of Rayleigh-Benard convection in rectangular cavity with motor oil

Abstract

Naturally flows have been the scope of the scientific research for centuries, Rayleigh-Benard convection being one of the leading. Many researchers have considered the flow patterns, boundary conditions, various cavities, nanofluids, theoretically, numerically, and experimentally. The flow was investigated in atmosphere and in nanofluids, in air, water, molten metals, non-Newtonian fluids. Almost all research focuses on 2-D or 3-D analysis of flow in laterally unlimited enclosures, as parallel plates or coaxial cylinders. In technical practice, only limited enclosures exist. This paper presents numerical and real experimental results for the test chamber with ratio 4?2?1 in x-, y-, and z direction, respectfully. The measurements were taken at fifteen different positions on the faces of the tank. Probes used are PT100 elements. As the chamber is limited in all directions, the results have shown strong influence of the lateral walls. The results are compared with the those obtained by IR camera. Various fluids were tested, and results for motor oil will be presented.