End wall effects on thermal stratification and heat transfer in a vertical enclosure with offset partitions

Abstract

AbstractEnd wall effects on thermal stratification and heat transfer in a vertical enclosure with offset partitions has been studied by numerically solving the governing differential equations. Two limiting end wall conditions are investigated — adiabatic end walls and perfectly conducting end walls. Two offset partition positions and three partition heights are considered. It is observed that with adiabatic end walls, the heat transfer from the vertical hot and cold walls is always greater. The effect of end wall conditions is most significant when the top partition is offset toward the cold wall and the bottom partition toward the hot wall. In this position strong thermal stratification in the core is observed. When the direction of offset is reversed, i.e., top partition is moved closer to the hot wall and the bottom partition closer to the cold wall, strong stratification effects are noted in the partition‐near side wall region. Adiabatic end wall conditions promote these stratification effects.