Energy Flux Vector Research Articles

Synergistic effects of magnetic fields and Y-obstacles on a nanofluid-based split lid-driven thermal system

This study investigates the complex hydrothermal behavior in a novel split-driven square cavity filled with CuO-water nanofluid and featuring a Y-shaped obstacle. The research explores the interplay among mixed convection, magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), and geometric factors in a previously unexamined configuration. The upper wall is split into two isothermally heated, translating sections, while the bottom wall and Y-shaped obstacle provide cooling boundaries. Using finite element analysis, we examine the effects of Reynolds number (Re = 10-200), Rayleigh number (Ra = 103-106), Hartmann number (Ha = 0-70), and magnetic field inclination (λ = 0-150°) on flow patterns, heat transfer, and entropy generation. Energy flux vectors are utilized to analyze thermal energy transport dynamics. Key findings are as follows. (1) Increasing Re enhances fluid mixing, resulting in up to a 65% increase in the average Nusselt number (Nu). (2) Nu peaks at Ra ≈ 105, then slightly decreases due to complex force interactions. (3) Increasing Ha suppresses convection, reducing Nu by up to 30%. (4) Optimal heat transfer occurs at λ ≈ 75°. (5) The Y-shaped obstacle enhances heat transfer by up to 30%. These results provide insights for optimizing thermal management in applications requiring precise temperature control, potentially improving energy efficiency in advanced heat transfer systems.

Wind stress curl as a driving force of annual waves in the upper ocean for interpreting energetics at all latitudes

The dynamics of waves and eddies in the upper ocean plays an important role in the climate variation of tropical and subtropical regions. Previous diagnoses for annual Rossby waves in oceanic model outputs manifested zonally alternating signals (ZASs) in the time-averaged distributions of wind input as well as pressure-flux divergence terms in the budget equation of wave energy. This is the case when the annual mean of the wind input is estimated as the inner product of simulated velocity vector and wind stress vector in previous studies. The present study proposes a new mathematical expression for estimating the wind input that is analogous to one derived from the quasi-geostrophic potential vorticity equation. Namely, the wind input is estimated as the negative of the product of pseudo-streamfunction and wind stress curl, the latter of which is associated with the horizontal divergence of Ekman velocity. This can be interpreted as replacement of kinetic energy input with gravitational potential energy input. Pseudo-streamfunction in the present study is inverted from Ertel’s potential vorticity anomaly and is seamlessly available at all latitudes. This contrasts with the quasi-geostrophic streamfunction which is singular at the equator. The new expression enables reducing ZASs in the horizontal distributions of both wind input and pressure-flux divergence terms, without harming the qualitative advantage of energy flux vectors to indicate the group velocity of waves at all latitudes.

Shape matters: Convection and entropy generation in magneto-hydrodynamic nanofluid flow in constraint-based analogous annular thermal systems

This work analyzes the performance of annular thermal systems of distinct geometries to understand their shape impacts using a novel constraint-based methodology. This research fills the gap in the literature by analyzing the geometrical shape impact of magnetohydrodynamic CuO/water nanofluid flow on fluid flow, heat transfer, and thermodynamic irreversibility. Through computational simulations, the outcome results demonstrate that the circular annuli (Case 1 and Case 2) outperform the analogous square system in terms of fluid velocity, heat transfer, and irreversibility. The analysis is carried out for a range of Rayleigh numbers (Ra = 103 to 106), nanoparticle concentrations (ζ = 0 to 4%), magnetic fields (Ha = 0 to 100), and magnetic field inclinations (γ = 0° to 180°). Additionally, a significant improvement in heat transfer is observed by augmenting nanoparticles of the working fluid, while the magnetic field intensity plays a crucial role in controlling fluid flow and heat transfer. The study provides valuable insights into how various parameters affect the nanofluidic heat and flow characteristics of equivalent annular geometries and contributes to the development of more efficient and effective designs of thermal systems. The novelty of the study lies in its comprehensive approach in the use of a constraint-based methodology that matches the flow areas or cooling lengths while maintaining the same heating length to analyze the impact of geometric shapes on heat transport and accompanying irreversibility during MHD nanofluid flow. Furthermore, the energy-flux vectors are utilized to delve into the insights. The maximum value of heat transfer noted for Case 1 and Case 2 is approximately 7% and 11%, respectively, compared to the square annulus (Base Case). The inclusion of nanoparticles in the carrier fluid causes a significant enhancement in heat transfer by up to 11%, compared to pure fluid (ζ = 0).

Numerical simulation of entropy generation in thermo-magnetic convection in an inverted T-shaped porous enclosure under thermal radiation

PurposeThermo-magnetic convective flow analysis under the impact of thermal radiation for heat and entropy generation phenomena is an active research field for understanding the efficiency of thermodynamic systems in various engineering sectors. This study aims to examine the characteristics of convective heat transport and entropy generation within an inverted T-shaped porous enclosure saturated with a hybrid nanofluid under the influence of thermal radiation and magnetic field.Design/methodology/approachThe mathematical model incorporates the Darcy-Forchheimer-Brinkmann model and considers thermal radiation in the energy balance equation. The complete mathematical model has been numerically simulated through the penalty finite element approach at varying values of flow parameters, such as Rayleigh number (Ra), Hartmann number (Ha), Darcy number (Da), radiation parameter (Rd) and porosity value (e). Furthermore, the graphical results for energy variation have been monitored through the energy-flux vector, whereas the entropy generation along with its individual components, namely, entropy generation due to heat transfer, fluid friction and magnetic field, are also presented. Furthermore, the results of the Bejan number for each component are also discussed in detail. Additionally, the concept of ecological coefficient of performance (ECOP) has also been included to analyse the thermal efficiency of the model.FindingsThe graphical analysis of results indicates that higher values of Ra, Da, e and Rd enhance the convective heat transport and entropy generation phenomena more rapidly. However, increasing Ha values have a detrimental effect due to the increasing impact of magnetic forces. Furthermore, the ECOP result suggests that the rising value of Da, e and Rd at smaller Ra show a maximum thermal efficiency of the mathematical model, which further declines as the Ra increases. Conversely, the thermal efficiency of the model improves with increasing Ha value, showing an opposite trend in ECOP.Practical implicationsSuch complex porous enclosures have practical applications in engineering and science, including areas like solar power collectors, heat exchangers and electronic equipment. Furthermore, the present study of entropy generation would play a vital role in optimizing system performance, improving energy efficiency and promoting sustainable engineering practices during the natural convection process.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first ever attempted detailed investigation of heat transfer and entropy generation phenomena flow parameter ranges in an inverted T-shaped porous enclosure under a uniform magnetic field and thermal radiation.

Does shear viscosity play a key role in the flow across a normal shock wave?

Once there is a velocity gradient in a viscous fluid flow, such as that across a shock wave, a viscous force and viscous energy loss exist inside the flow according to the Navier-Stokes equation (NSE), which may confuse the relative contribution of compressibility and viscosity. In this paper, a viscous shear vector is defined as the component of gradient vector of local velocity magnitude perpendicular to the velocity vector. Then, a local viscous energy flux vector is defined from the viscous shear vector after being multiplied by the viscosity and the velocity magnitude. The divergence of the viscous energy flux vector results in new expressions for viscous force and loss of viscous energy, in which all the square terms of derivative of velocity components correspond to irreversible energy loss. The rest part can be taken as a kind of mechanical energy transfer done by the viscous force, from which the viscous force components can be got based on the assumption that the viscous force vector is parallel to the velocity vector. The new equations are different from and more complex than those in the traditional NSE. By the new theory, it is shown that there is no shear viscous force and shear viscous energy loss in the flow across a normal shock wave without velocity gradient perpendicular to the flow direction.

Revisit on energy flow: accurate predictions and analysis of heatlines for thermal convection within enclosures of various configurations

PurposeA few earlier studies presented infeasible heatline trajectories for natural convection within annular domains involving an inner circular cylinder and outer square/circular enclosure. The purpose of this paper is to revisit and illustrate the correct heatline trajectories for various test cases.Design/methodology/approachGalerkin finite element based methodology and space adaptive grid have been used to simulate natural convective flows within the annular domains. The prediction of heatlines involves derivatives at the nodes, which are evaluated based on finite element basis functions and contributions from neighboring elements.FindingsThe heatlines in the earlier work indicate infeasible heat flow paths such as heat flow from one portion to the other of isothermal hot walls and heat flow across the adiabatic walls. Current results illustrate physically consistent heat flow paths involving perpendicularly emerging heatlines from hot to cold walls for conductive transport, long heat flow paths around the closed-loop heatline cells for convective transport and parallel layout of heatlines to the adiabatic walls. Results also demonstrate complex heatlines involving multiple flow vortices and complex flow structures.Originality/valueCurrent work translates heatfunctions from energy flux vectors, which are determined by using basis sets. This work demonstrates the expected heatline trajectories for various scenarios involving conductive and convective heat transport within enclosures with an inner hot object as a first attempt, and the results are precursors for the understanding of energy flow estimates.

Visualization of thermo-magnetic natural convective heat flow in a square enclosure partially filled with a porous medium using bejan heatlines and Hooman energy flux vectors: Hybrid fuel cell simulation

The aim of the article is to study the magneto-convective laminar incompressible flow within a differentially heated square enclosure partly filled with porous medium saturated with ionized helium gas in the presence of a transverse magnetic flux, as a model for emerging fuel cell designs. A Darcy model is utilized for porous medium bulk drag effects. Visualization of heat line and energy flux vectors is computed via Bejan's heat line approach and the Hooman energy flux vector method. The horizontal (i.e., bottom and top) wall boundaries are considered adiabatic and impermeable, while the side walls (cold and hot walls) are maintained at different but constant temperatures. The nonlinear coupled conservation equations under prescribed boundary conditions are solved with a finite difference-based vorticity-stream function approach. Appropriate convergence criteria factors are deployed. Furthermore, validation with earlier studies for the purely fluid, non-magnetic case i. e. in the absence of porous medium (Da) and Hartmann number (Ha) effects, is included. A parametric examination of the impact of Rayleigh number (Ra), Darcy number (Da) and Hartmann number (Ha) on temperature contours, heat lines, energy flux vectors and streamline patterns for ionized helium gas (Prandtl number, Pr = 0.71) is conducted. An increment in Hartmann magnetic number decreases the magnitudes of heat lines, suppresses heat transmission in the enclosure and curtails flow circulation. Enhancing the magnetic parameter and Rayleigh number however boosts the average heat transfer rate. Average Nusselt number at the left hot wall is elevated with increasing permeability of the porous medium and Rayleigh number. Mid-section velocities are enhanced in the porous layer but depleted in the non-porous layer of the enclosure with greater Rayleigh number. The simulations find provide some insight into applications in emerging hybrid electromagnetic fuel cells enabling better visualization of the thermal/fluid characteristics via the novel heat flow visualization heat-function and energy flux vectors analogy.

Elastic wave pre-stack reverse-time migration based on the second-order P- and S-wave decoupling equation

Abstract The problems of large computation, large storage and low-frequency noises have been the key factors limiting the development of elastic wave pre-stack reverse-time migration (RTM). Most research has centered on the wave equation of first-order velocity stress and using Helmholtz separation to get pure primary and secondary waves. However, the cost is enormous and the amplitude and phase of wavefields will be changed. So, we use the second-order P- and S-wave decoupling equations to construct seismic wavefields that reduce the number of variables, and the storage space required for boundary wavefields is reduced by ∼78%. Then we bring the boundary-saving approach into our study during the wavefield extrapolation process so that we can reconstruct the source wavefields completely. Finally, for the wave equations of second-order displacement used in this study, the Poynting vector expressed by the traditional method was not applicable. Therefore, we derived the formula of the energy flux density vector represented by displacements and used it in directional traveling wave decomposition to suppress low-frequency noise in the imaging profile. Subsequently, based on the inner product imaging conditions, the RTM of the 2-D salt dome model was calculated. The results illustrate the effectiveness and practicability of the proposed solution.

Comparison of Poynting’s vector and the power flow used in electrical engineering

This paper will analyze how the energy flux of Poynting’s vector is compared to the power flow in electrical engineering, where the power, instead, is defined by voltages and currents. There are alternatives to Poynting’s energy flux vector that agree more with circuit theory methods such that the energy flow is in the current conductor and not in the insulation surrounding it. One such basic formulation would only consist of the total current density and the voltage potential, but it would need an alternative theorem for energy transfer. Another formulation proposed by Slepian would instead still agree with Poynting’s energy transfer theorem, but it needs to add the power of alternating magnetic vector potential. The alternatives to Poynting’s vector may better illustrate the energy flow in electrical engineering, but two things could be considered in their generality. First, since they are expressed by potentials, they are gauge invariant and depend on the definition of the potentials. Second, Poynting’s vector is used to formulate the electromagnetic momentum, and any alternative energy flow vectors would not. These two notes are of minor importance in electrical engineering, and the alternatives could be used as good alternatives for describing power flow. The main purpose of this paper is to bridge the differences between the physical theory of energy flux and the methods in electrical power engineering. This could simplify the use of energy flux and Poynting’s vector in engineering problems.

Analysis of interscale energy transfer in a boundary layer undergoing bypass transition

The Kármán–Howarth–Monin–Hill equation is employed to study the production and interscale energy transfer in a boundary layer undergoing bypass transition due to free-stream turbulence. The energy flux between different length scales is calculated at several streamwise locations covering the laminar, transitional and turbulent regimes. Maps of scale energy production and flux vectors are visualised on two-dimensional planes and three-dimensional hyper-planes that comprise both physical and separation spaces. In the transitional region, the maps show strong inverse cascade in the streamwise direction near the wall. The energy flux vectors emanate from a region of strong production and transfer energy to larger streamwise scales. To provide deeper insight into the origin of the inverse cascade process, we decompose the energy flux vector into components arising from nonlinear interactions between velocity fluctuations, mean flow inhomogeneity, pressure and viscous effects. The inverse cascade is mainly due to the nonlinear interaction component, and in the earliest stages of transition this component competes with that due to mean flow inhomogeneity. By superposing the instantaneous velocity fields and the energy flux vectors, we relate the inverse cascade process to the growth of turbulent spots. Once the transition process is complete, the maps become very similar to those observed in other fully developed turbulent flows, such as channel flow. Finally we characterise the nonlinear interaction term using probability density functions (PDFs) evaluated at different wall-normal heights. The PDFs are asymmetric and wide-skirted as in homogeneous isotropic turbulence, but are skewed towards positive values reflecting the inverse cascade.

Different perspectives on predicting the thermoacoustic energy conversion response in a Rijke tube

In this work, six different perspectives on characterizing the thermoacoustic field in an open-ended Rijke tube are considered and discussed. These begin with a three-pronged approach consisting of theoretical, experimental, and numerical investigations of the Rijke tube's time-dependent field. It is followed by a discussion of effective techniques that rely on either Green's function or differential equation models. Finally, a perturbation expansion is introduced that leverages a naturally occurring small parameter in the open tube configuration. This approach is shown to produce accurate predictions of pressure modal shapes and frequencies for an arbitrary specified temperature distribution. It also leads to a set of linear partial differential equations that can be solved in conjunction with a Green's function expression for the thermoacoustic pressure, velocity, and heat oscillations. In this study, the underlying framework is presented and evaluated for the pressure disturbance only. Another fundamental result includes a similarity parameter, coined the Rijke number, which plays an essential role in driving thermoacoustic oscillations, namely, by relating heat-flux fluctuations to the acoustic velocity and pressure. In this context, we find that the peak value of the energy-flux vector modulus, which stands for the modular product of acoustic velocity and pressure, does indeed occur at the heat source location and increases with the heat power input.

An infinite plate loaded with a normal force moving along a complex open trajectory

Introduction. A method for solving the problem on the action of a normal force moving on an infinite plate according to an arbitrary law is considered. This method and the results obtained can be used to study the effect of a moving load on various structures.Materials and Methods. An original method for solving problems of the action of a normal force moving arbitrarily along a freeform open curve on an infinite plate resting on an elastic base, is developed. For this purpose, a fundamental solution to the differential equation of the dynamics of a plate resting on an elastic base is used. It is assumed that the movement of force begins at a sufficiently distant moment in time. Therefore, there are no initial conditions in this formulation of the problem. When determining the fundamental solution, the Fourier transform is performed in time. When the Fourier transform is inverted, the image is expanded in terms of the transformation parameter into a series in Hermite polynomials.Results. The solution to the problem on an infinite plate resting on an elastic base, along which a concentrated force moves at a variable speed, is presented. A smooth open curve, consisting of straight lines and arcs of circles, was considered as a trajectory. The behavior of the components of the displacement vector and the stress tensor at the location of the moving force is studied, as well as the process of wave energy propagation, for which the change in the Umov-Poynting energy flux density vector is considered. The effect of the speed and acceleration of the force movement on the displacements, stresses and propagation of elastic waves is investigated. The influence of the force trajectory shape on the stress-strain state of the plate and on the nature of the propagation of elastic waves is studied. The results indicate that the method is quite stable within a wide range of changes in the speed of force movement.Discussion and Conclusions. The calculations have shown that the most significant factor affecting the stress-strain states of the plate and the propagation of elastic wave energy near the concentrated force is the speed of its movement. These results will be useful under studying dynamic processes generated by a moving load.

Diurnal Dynamics of the Umov Kinetic Energy Density Vector in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer from Minisodar Measurements

The diurnal hourly dynamics of the kinetic energy flux density vector, called the Umov vector, and the mean and turbulent components of the kinetic energy are estimated from minisodar measurements of wind vector components and their variances in the lower 200 m layer of the atmosphere. During a 24 h period of continuous minisodar observations, it was established that the mean kinetic energy density dominated in the surface atmospheric layer at altitudes below ~50 m. At altitudes from 50 to 100 m, the relative contributions of the mean and turbulent wind kinetic energy densities depended on the time of the day and the sounding altitude. At altitudes below 100 m, the contribution of the turbulent kinetic energy component is small, and the ratio of the turbulent to mean wind kinetic energy components was in the range 0.01–10. At altitudes above 100 m, the turbulent kinetic energy density sharply increased, and the ratio reached its maximum equal to 100–1000 at altitudes of 150–200 m. A particular importance of the direction and magnitude of the wind effect, that is, of the direction and magnitude of the Umov vector at different altitudes was established. The diurnal behavior of the Umov vector depended both on the time of the day and the sounding altitude. Three layers were clearly distinguished: a near-surface layer at altitudes of 5–15 m, an intermediate layer at altitudes from 15 m to 150 m, and the layer of enhanced turbulence above. The feasibility is illustrated of detecting times and altitudes of maximal and minimal wing kinetic energy flux densities, that is, time periods and altitude ranges most and least favorable for flights of unmanned aerial vehicles. The proposed novel method of determining the spatiotemporal dynamics of the Umov vector from minisodar measurements can also be used to estimate the effect of wind on high-rise buildings and the energy potential of wind turbines.

Energy-flux vector in anisotropic turbulence: application to rotating turbulence

Abstract

Natural convection of Cu-water nanofluid in enclosed cavity with porous effect and wavy surface based on energy-flux-vector visualization method

This paper studies the influences of a porous medium and wavy surface on natural convection of Cu-water nanofluid in an enclosed cavity based on the energy-flux-vector method. The effects of the Darcy number (Da), Rayleigh number (Ra), porosity (ε), nanoparticle volume fraction (ϕ), and geometric wave amplitude (αw) on the energy flux vectors, isotherms, mean Nusselt number (Num), total entropy generation (St), and Bejan number (Be) are examined. It indicates that given a low Ra and any value of the Da or a high Ra and a low Da, the energy flux vectors, isotherms, and entropy generation have similar distributions. Under such conditions, St and Num have low values, while Be approaches unity. However, if Ra and Da have high values, the energy flux vectors form flow recirculation structures. Therefore, St and Num increase, while Be decreases. As ε increases, St and Num increase, while Be reduces. Finally, when a high Ra with a high Da is given, all Num, St, and Be increase as αw is increased.

A thermodynamically consistent formulation of the Johnson–Cook model

The model of Johnson and Cook, which includes a viscoplastic flow rule and a damage criterion, is widely used to describe the mechanical behaviour of metallic materials subjected to severe loading conditions, such as those encountered during fabrication operations or impact. This model has been built on empirical, rather than physical, grounds. The present paper therefore aims at revisiting the model of Johnson and Cook from the view point of thermodynamics with internal variables. The interest of this approach is twofold. First, it provides a guide for the construction of a complete thermomechanical constitutive model, with some constitutive relations not only for the stress tensor but also specific internal energy, specific entropy and heat flux vector. Second, it allows highlighting some possible limitations of the original model of Johnson and Cook. Such limitations can be circumvented with an alternative model, which is described in the present work. For illustration purpose, some applications of both the original and alternative models are presented in the final section.

Impact of side injection on heat removal from truncated conical heat-generating porous bed: thermal non-equilibrium approach

Effective removal of heat from the heat-generating porous bed, particularly in a confined space, is essential due to its implications on thermal management and system safety. The safety aspect becomes particularly important during post-accident heat removal from decay heat-generating debris in nuclear reactors, as well as thermal management of self-igniting coal stockpiles. In spite of detailed research on thermal convection through porous media, only a handful of studies have considered mixed convective heat transport involving heat-generating porous bed along with external fluid injection. The situation, however, demands an in-depth analysis due to the associated practical implications. The present work addresses one cooling method providing side injection of cold fluid and assuming a typical conical heat-generating porous bed located centrally within a fluid-filled cylindrical enclosure. The study is carried out in a general way to suit other applications. The dimensionless governing equations, along with the boundary conditions in a two-dimensional coordinate system, are solved numerically assuming laminar and incompressible flow along with the Boussinesq approximation. The analysis is carried utilizing the local thermal non-equilibrium model within the porous bed. Injection of cold fluid can markedly affect the convective heat transport rate. Porous media permeability considerably influences the flow mechanism. The major findings of this study can be very useful in improving the management of thermal energy removal from self-igniting coal stockpiles, grain storages, porous debris, etc. Heat transport intensification from heat-generating porous bed is analyzed by injecting coolant through the sidewall and considering liquid water as the working medium. The impacts of pertinent parameters on the thermal convection characteristics are illustrated using the average Nusselt number and energy flux vectors.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION AND ENERGY FLUX VECTOR VISUALIZATION OF RADIATIVE-CONVECTION HEAT TRANSFER IN A POROUS TRIANGULAR ENCLOSURE

A detailed theoretical examination laminar natural convection heat flow in a triangular porous cavity with significant radiative heat transfer and porosity variation is presented. Twodimensional laminar incompressible flow is considered with the left slant and right walls are low and high temperature respectively, and the remaining (top) wall prescribed as adiabatic. The Darcy-Brinkman isotropic model is utilized, and the coupled governing equations are solved by a numerical method utilizing finite differences. Visualization of isotherms and streamlines is achieved with the method of Energy Flux Vectors (EFVs). The impacts of the different model parameters (Rayleigh number Ra, Darcy number-Da, porosity-E and radiation parameter-Rd) on the thermo fluid characteristics are studied in detail. The computations show that convective heat transfer is enhanced with greater Darcy parameter (permeability) which also leads to intensification in the density of energy flux vector patterns. The flow is accelerated with increasing buoyancy effect (Rayleigh number) and temperatures are also increased with greater radiative flux. Average Nusselt number is decreased with higher porosity. The simulations are relevant to hybrid porous media solar collectors.

Numerical simulation of thermal radiation influence on natural convection in a trapezoidal enclosure: Heat flow visualization through energy flux vectors

A theoretical and numerical study of natural convection in two-dimensional laminar incompressible flow in a trapezoidal enclosurein the presence of thermal radiation is conducted, motivated by energy systems applications. Heat flow visualization via the method of energy flux vectors (EFVs) is also included. The trapezoidal cavity has an inclined top wall which in addition to the bottom wall is maintained at constant temperature, whereas the remaining (vertical side) walls are adiabatic. The governing partial differential conservation equations are transformed using a vorticity-stream function formulation and non-dimensional variables and the resulting nonlinear boundary value problem is solved using a finite difference method with incremental time steps. EFVs provide abundant details of the heat flow at the core of the enclosure. The larger energy flux vectors indicate high temperature gradient zones and the sparse EFVs correspond to low temperature gradient zone. Heat flow distribution in the trapezoidal enclosure can be clearly elaborated via energy flux vectors and provides a deeper insight into thermal characteristics. A comprehensive parametric study is performed to evaluate the impact of Rayleigh number (buoyancy parameter) and radiation parameter on transport phenomena. The computations indicate that local Nusselt number and velocity are increasing functions of the Rayleigh number and radiation parameter. Significant changes in streamlines, temperature contours and energy streamlines for high Rayleigh number are observed. The energy flux vectors show that a large eddy is formed within the enclosure which migrates towards the cold wall. Greater thermal buoyancy force accelerates the primary flow whereas it decelerates the secondary flow. The simulations are relevant to solar collector systems, enclosure fire dynamics, electronic cooling and fuel cell systems. Furthermore, the computations furnish a good benchmark for more general computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis with commercial software e.g. ANSYS FLUENT.

Analysis of Energy Flux Vector on Natural Convection Heat Transfer in Porous Wavy-Wall Square Cavity with Partially-Heated Surface

The study utilizes the energy-flux-vector method to analyze the heat transfer characteristics of natural convection in a wavy-wall porous square cavity with a partially-heated bottom surface. The effects of the modified Darcy number, modified Rayleigh number, modified Prandtl number, and length of the partially-heated bottom surface on the energy-flux-vector distribution and mean Nusselt number are examined. The results show that when a low modified Darcy number with any value of modified Rayleigh number is given, the recirculation regions are not formed in the energy-flux-vector distribution within the porous cavity. Therefore, a low mean Nusselt number is presented. The recirculation regions do still not form, and thus the mean Nusselt number has a low value when a low modified Darcy number with a high modified Rayleigh number is given. However, when the values of the modified Darcy number and modified Rayleigh number are high, the energy flux vectors generate recirculation regions, and thus a high mean Nusselt number is obtained. In addition, in a convection-dominated region, the mean Nusselt number increases with an increasing modified Prandtl number. Furthermore, as the length of the partially-heated bottom surface lengthens, a higher mean Nusselt number is presented.