MHD free convection in a porous non-uniformly heated triangle cavity equipped with a circular obstacle subjected to various thermal configurations

Abstract

This study numerically investigates the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) free convection of a fluid in a porous triangle cavity containing a circular obstacle subjected to various thermal configurations. The investigation is conducted using a penalty finite element technique. The inclined side walls are non-uniformly heated while the bottom is maintained cold isothermal. Three types of thermal configurations are considered at the obstacle boundary. The effects of various physical parameters on the MHD free convection have been studied. The temperature field, fluid flow and heat transfer are strongly dependent on the type of thermal boundary condition of the circular obstacle, Prandtl number and magnetic induction. The obtained results are verified with a grid sensitivity study and validated using existing results in literature. A comparison between the present results and ones existing in literature illustrates the reliability and dependability of this study.