Heat Transfer Improvement in an Open Cubic Cavity using a Hybrid Nanofluid

Abstract

Numerical simulation of convection heat transfer and entropy generation in an open cubic cavity filled with a hybrid nanofluid is carried out. This configuration is heated uniformly by a constant volumetric heat source qv. All the walls are adiabatic. The hybrid nanofluid flow (Al2O3-Cu/water) penetrates in the cavity at a uniform velocity U0 and a temperature T0. To solve the mathematical equations, we used Ansys-Fluent 14.5 software. Results are validated with other works found in the literature. We present our results in terms of streamlines, isotherms, velocity, temperature, local and average Nusselt numbers profiles, and entropy generation for the Reynolds number (300 < Re < 700), the solid volume fraction (0 < φ < 0.08), and heat source location (1cm < d < 3cm). Results indicate that by increasing Re, φ and dh, the heat transfer is improved. Moreover, nanohybrid gives better heat transfer than nanofluid, and the use of nanoparticles contributes to the minimization of entropy generation. Compared with the vertical location of the heat source, the horizontal location gives an increase in heat transfer. The Nuav correlations are determined for the nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid. This study may help to enhance the heat transfer of electronic equipment.