Modeling and numerical simulation for thermal transport in an irregular enclosure: Impact of multiple heated sources

Abstract

Flow and thermal aspects with buoyant effects in an irregularly shaped enclosure have not yet been addressed due to its complex nature. Therefore, the present investigation is an essential attempt in this direction. The current study provides unexploited computational findings on buoyant convection in the chamfered enclosure. The complex chamber contains various regular-shaped heated bodies, which are the key source for maintaining convection currents. In further assumption, the left and right boundaries are kept constant while the remaining barriers are considered insulated, and on all the edges, the no-slip condition is implemented. Such physical system in mathematical formulation involves nonlinear differential equations. The solution of the involved partial differential system is not genuinely possible. Therefore, numerical investigation via the finite element method is incorporated. The objective is to determine the sway of the Rayleigh number (ranging from 103 to 105) on thermal distribution and the flow field. The results against various Rayleigh numbers are offered via contour maps and line graphs. Variations in the flow field and heat transfer against the Rayleigh number parameter are recorded under regular and curved chamfered enclosures. The impact is prominent in the first case, while in the second case, it is less significant.