Turbulent natural convection heat transfer in an asymmetrically heated, vertical parallel-plate channel

Abstract

An analysis has been developed to predict induced flow and heat transfer in an asymmetrically heated, vertical parallel-plate channel. The problem considered is related to numerous industrial, electronic and power equipment cooling applications. The flow of air in the channel is induced by the thermal buoyancy force. A low Reynolds number κ—ε turbulence model is used in conjunction with heat transfer analysis in the channel. The model predictions are first compared with available experimental data for the purpose of validating the model. Then, the local heat flux and Nusselt number distributions are presented to obtain understanding of the physical phenomena and scaling relations for induced flow rate and average heat transfer coefficient are developed in terms of relevant dimensionless parameters.