Natural Convection in a Horizontal Porous Medium Subjected to an End-to-End Temperature Difference

Abstract

Natural convection in a porous medium filling a slender horizontal space with an end-to-end temperature difference is studied analytically. The end-to-end temperature difference gives rise to a horizontal counterflow pattern augmenting the heat transfer rate through the porous medium. Two basic geometries are considered: horizontal layer confined between two adiabatic and impermeable parallel plates, and horizontal cylinder surrounded by an adiabatic and impermeable cylindrical surface. Nusselt number relations are derived in terms of the Rayleigh number and the cavity aspect ratio. The end-wall permeability is shown to affect the heat transfer rate through the medium.