A finite-volume-based computational study of steady laminar natural convection (using Boussinesq approximation) within a differentially heated square cavity due to the presence of a single thin fin is presented. Attachment of highly conductive thin fins with lengths equal to 20, 35 and 50 percent of the side, positioned at 7 locations on the hot left wall were examined for and and (total of 84 cases). Placing a fin on the hot left wall generally alters the clockwise rotating vortex that is established due to buoyancy-induced convection. Two competing mechanisms that are responsible for flow and thermal modifications are identified. One is due to the blockage effect of the fin, whereas the other is due to extra heating of the fluid that is accommodated by the fin. The degree of flow modification due to blockage is enhanced by increasing the length of the fin. Under certain conditions, smaller vortices are formed between the fin and the top insulated wall. Viewing the minimum value of the stream function field as a measure of the strength of flow modification, it is shown that for high Rayleigh numbers the flow field is enhanced regardless of the fin’s length and position. This suggests that the extra heating mechanism outweighs the blockage effect for high Rayleigh numbers. By introducing a fin, the heat transfer capacity on the anchoring wall is always degraded, however heat transfer on the cold wall without the fin can be promoted for high Rayleigh numbers and with the fins placed closer to the insulated walls. A correlation among the mean Nu, Ra, fin’s length and its position is proposed.
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Technical Papers
Laminar Natural Convection Heat Transfer in a Differentially Heated Square Cavity Due to a Thin Fin on the Hot Wall
Xundan Shi, Graduate Student,
Xundan Shi, Graduate Student
Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, 201 Ross Hall, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
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J. M. Khodadadi, Professor
e-mail: khodajm@auburn.edu
J. M. Khodadadi, Professor
Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, 201 Ross Hall, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
Search for other works by this author on:
Xundan Shi, Graduate Student
Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, 201 Ross Hall, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
J. M. Khodadadi, Professor
Mechanical Engineering Department, Auburn University, 201 Ross Hall, Auburn, AL 36849-5341
e-mail: khodajm@auburn.edu
Contributed by the Heat Transfer Division for publication in the JOURNAL OF HEAT TRANSFER. Manuscript received by the Heat Transfer Division August 12, 2002; revision received March 5, 2003. Associate Editor: H. Bau.
J. Heat Transfer. Aug 2003, 125(4): 624-634 (11 pages)
Published Online: July 17, 2003
Article history
Received:
August 12, 2002
Revised:
March 5, 2003
Online:
July 17, 2003
Citation
Shi, X., and Khodadadi, J. M. (July 17, 2003). "Laminar Natural Convection Heat Transfer in a Differentially Heated Square Cavity Due to a Thin Fin on the Hot Wall ." ASME. J. Heat Transfer. August 2003; 125(4): 624–634. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1571847
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