Numerical analysis of turbulent natural convection heat transfer inside a triangular‐shaped enclosure utilizing computational fluid dynamic code

Abstract

PurposeThe paper's purpose is to consider a numerical study of turbulent natural convection heat transfer inside a triangular‐shaped enclosure.Design/methodology/approachIn the formulation of governing non‐linear partial differential equations the momentum and energy equations coupled with a k‐ε model are applied to the enclosure. To solve these equations, a commercially available computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code, Fluent, is utilized. In addition a control volume‐based code is developed. Finally, the results are compared.FindingsFlow and temperature field are presented as a function of aspect ratio (Ar), angle between the sloped and horizontal wall (θ) and the Grashof number (Gr). It is shown that heat transfer is higher for turbulent flow when compared with laminar flow. Meanwhile the results reflect a strong dependency on the angle between two enclosure walls (θ). It is clear from the data that the results obtained by CFD code are similar to that of control volume method.Research limitations/implicationsThe case considered is two‐dimensional, the motion is two‐dimensional and steady state, the flow is incompressible, the flow is Boussinesq, and the fluid properties are constant. It is recommended to conduct an experimental test in order to validate the analytical results.Originality/valueThe code enables the prediction of the heat transfer inside an attic‐shaped enclosure. This helps in locating the highest area of heat loss; hence prevention can be implemented for this area.