Numerical Investigation on the Steady State Natural Convection in a Horizontal Open-Ended Cavity with a Heated Upper Wall

Abstract

In this article, the investigation is focused on a configuration made of two horizontal parallel plates with the upper plate heated at uniform heat flux and the lower one adiabatic. Results are presented in terms of velocity and temperature fields, and both the temperature and the velocity profiles at different sections are shown. They are reported at two Rayleigh numbers, 103 and 105, and for two aspect ratio values, 1 and 10. Results are also shown in terms of the upper and lower wall temperature profiles. Correlations for average Nusselt numbers and maximum dimensionless wall temperature, in terms of Rayleigh number and aspect ratio, are given for 103 ≤ Ra ≤ 105 and 1 ≤ L/b ≤ 10.