The Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of Free Convection Heat Transfer of a Carbon-Nanotube Nanofluid in a Triangular Cavity with a Solar Heater

Abstract

In this paper, the flow and free convection heat transfer of a multi-walled carbon nanotube/water nanofluid in a triangular cavity with a solar heater is studied using the lattice Boltzmann method. The side walls of the cavity are cold and the bottom wall is partially heated by a solar heater, which have a non-uniform temperature distribution. It is assumed that the heating energy is provided by an absorber that is directly exposed to sunlight. Because of the limited variations of density, the Boussinesq approximation is used, which causes the coupling of hydrodynamic and thermal fields. For velocity and temperature distribution functions, a lattice Boltzmann model with two dimensions and nine directions is adopted. The effect of parameters, such as the Rayleigh number, the volume fraction of nanoparticles, and the position of solar heater, on the flow and heat fields is studied. The results show that, for all Rayleigh numbers studied, the Nusselt number increases as nanoparticles volume fraction increases. The addition of 4% nanoparticles causes the average Nusselt number to increase about 11% at low (Ra = 103) and moderate (Ra = 104) Rayleigh numbers and 217% at the high Rayleigh number (Ra = 105). Furthermore, it is shown that for a fixed Rayleigh number, heat transfer can be optimized by adjusting solar heater’s position. This study can provide a useful insight for utilizing solar heaters with non-uniform temperature distribution in triangular cavities.