Mixed convection analysis in a split lid-driven trapezoidal cavity having elliptic shaped obstacle

Abstract

In this manuscript, thermal performance of nanofluid enclosed by a split lid-driven trapezoidal cavity is presented that comprise elliptic shaped obstacle. Bottom wall maintained the constant temperature (cold) and slant walls are considered as insulated (adiabatic). Energy is transferred through top horizontal wall of the cavity and driven through split lids which are moving with constant velocities. Finite element method is applied to handle the dimensionless system of partial differential equations for velocity, temperature and concentration. The impact of emerging parameters such as: Richardson number (10−2 ≤ Ri ≤ 10), Lewis number (0.1 ≤ Le ≤ 10), Reynolds number (300 ≤ Re ≤ 500) and buoyancy ratio (−10 ≤ Br ≤ 10) for different directional velocity, temperature and concentration profiles are analysed. To determine the heat transfer rate due to force convection is determine through local Nusselt number along the heating surface. Graphical interpretation of these profiles represent that Lewis number have significant impact at isotherms and concentration. For smaller value of buoyancy ratio parameter, maximum heat transfer is obtained inside the direction of the lid walls. Lewis number proves the dominant effect at isotherm and concentration due to high thermal diffusion in the entire domain of the cavity.