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Combined forced and buoyancy-induced convective heat transfer in a partially closed vertical channel

Journal Article · · Numerical Heat Transfer. Part A, Applications
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

This paper reports a numerical study of mixed convection flow over a horizontal surface in a partially closed adiabatic symmetric vertical channel. For low Rayleigh numbers, the forced flow enhances the buoyant convective heat transfer rates. For higher Rayleigh numbers, complex interactions arise between the buoyancy-dominated wall layer and the forced flow convection. The shearing between the buoyancy-dominated wall layer and the forced flow over it induces a stagnation region and a pair of weak recirculating cells in the middle of the channel above the horizontal surface. This effectively reduces heat transfer rates. Nusselt number data are presented for a wide range of Rayleigh and Reynolds numbers. Finally, the effect of the inlet height of forced flow on the transport is discussed.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
78208
Journal Information:
Numerical Heat Transfer. Part A, Applications, Journal Name: Numerical Heat Transfer. Part A, Applications Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 27; ISSN NHAAES; ISSN 1040-7782
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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