Investigation on conjugate mixed convection through a vented chamber with heat generating and conducting rotating circular cylinders

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive numerical solution to investigate mixed convection heat transfer inside a vented square chamber containing two heat-generating and conducting rotating cylinders. The broad range of practical and industrial applications associated with this type of heat transfer analysis make it a fascinating field of study, particularly in the context of cooling electronic chips and ventilation systems. The ventilations are accomplished by entering air from the bottom of the left sidewall and escaping from the top of both sidewalls. The chamber's upper wall is considered cold, while the other walls are insulated. Using appropriate boundary conditions, the Galerkin finite element method is employed to simulate the Navier-Stokes and heat energy equations. This study aims to determine the optimal thermo-fluid performance within the vented chamber by analyzing the impact of geometric and governing non-dimensional parameters such as the radius (R = 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) and rotational speed of the cylinders (Ω = −3, 0, 3), Grashof (103 ≤ Gr ≤ 105), Richardson (0.1 ≤ Ri ≤ 10), and Reynolds (31.63 ≤ Re ≤ 316.23) numbers. The findings of this study have been evaluated through the quantitative calculations of the average Nusselt number and average fluid temperature. It is explored that enhancement of Nusselt number becomes as high as 208.2% for varying Reynolds numbers from 31.623 to 316.23 at R = 0.10, Ω = −3, and Ri = 1. Moreover, the rotation mode is of utmost importance in studying mixed convection heat transfer to achieve optimal thermal performance. The implications of the findings from this research are poised to profoundly impact the design and operation of similar systems, fostering enhanced thermal performance and ensuring optimal safety. Additionally, this study represents a significant contribution toward developing effective and sustainable strategies for managing surplus heat in other intricate systems.