Lattice Boltzmann study of fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of a heated porous elliptic cylinder: a two-domain scheme

Abstract

PurposeThis study aims to investigate lattice Boltzmann (LB) simulation of the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of a heated porous elliptic cylinder in uniform flow based on the two-domain scheme. In the present research, the effect of axis ratio (1 ≤ AR ≤ 2), Reynolds number (5 ≤ Re ≤ 40) and Darcy number (10−4 ≤ Da ≤ 10−2) are studied.Design/methodology/approachTo perform the LB simulation based on the two-domain scheme, the nonequilibrium extrapolation method is modified to model the heat transfer interfacial conditions required at the curved interface.FindingsThe results show that the axis ratio as well as Reynolds and Darcy numbers significantly affect the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of the porous elliptic cylinder. It is shown that for AR > 1, the phenomenon of detached recirculating zone occurs at much higher Darcy numbers compared with the case of the porous circular cylinder (AR = 1). The results show that the location of maximum temperature within the cylinder moves downstream when the Reynolds number, Darcy number and axis ratio increase. It is also concluded that the average Nusselt number of a porous elliptic cylinder is always lower than that of a porous circular cylinder.Originality/valueThe LB simulation of forced convection from a porous cylinder in uniform flow with a curved interface based on the two-domain scheme has not been studied yet.