Effect of Internal Heat Generation or Absorption on MHD Mixed Convection Flow in a Lid Driven Cavity

Abstract

In the present study the problem of mixed convection flow in the presence of magnetic field in a lid-driven square cavity with internal heat generation or absorption and uniform heating of bottom wall were investigated numerically. The square cavity vertical walls are maintained at cold temperature while the upper wall is insulated. The physical problem is then expressed mathematically by a set of governing equations and the developed mathematical model is solved by employing Galerkin weighted residual method of finite element formulation. Effects of variations of Richardson number, Hartmann number and heat generation or absorption parameter on flow structure and heat transfer rate (Nuesselt number) were studied in details. The significant reduction in the average Nusselt number were produced as the strength of the applied magnetic field was increased. In addition, heat generation predicted to decrease the average Nusselt number whereas heat absorption increases it.