Numerical investigation of heat transfer enhancement in a square ventilated cavity with discrete heat sources using nanofluid

Abstract

A numerical study of a laminar mixed convection problem in a ventilated square cavity partially heated from bellow is carried out. The fluid in the cavity is a water-based nanofluid containing Cu nanoparticles. The effects of monitoring parameters, namely, Richardson number, Reynolds number, and solid volume fraction on the streamline and isotherm contours as well as average Nusselt number along the two heat sources are analyzed. The computation is performed for Richardson number ranging from 0.1 to 10, Reynolds number from 10 to 500, and the solid volume fraction from 0 to 0.1. The results show that by adding nanoparticles to the base fluid and increasing both Reynolds and Richardson numbers the heat transfer rate is enhanced. It is also found, regardless of the Richardson and Reynolds numbers, and the volume fraction of nanoparticles, the highest heat transfer enhancement occurs at the left heat source surface.