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TECHNICAL BRIEFS

Influence of Partition Length on Natural Convection in Partially Divided Square Enclosure

[+] Author and Article Information
C. D. Sankhavara

V.V.P. Engineering College, Rajkot 360 005, Indiacdsankhavara@yahoo.co.uk

H. J. Shukla

S.P.B. Patel Engineering College, Nr. Saffrony Holiday Resort, Mehsana 384 435, Gujarat, Indiahjshukla1@rediffmail.com

J. Heat Transfer 129(11), 1592-1599 (Apr 19, 2007) (8 pages) doi:10.1115/1.2764087 History: Received November 22, 2006; Revised April 19, 2007

Abstract

Numerical investigation is carried out for natural convection in square enclosures consisting of partitions protruding from the end walls with different thermal boundary conditions at the end walls and partitions. The vertical walls were maintained isothermal at different temperatures. The Rayleigh number varies from $104$ to $106$ and the Prandtl number is 0.71. The thickness of the partition is fixed and is equal to one-tenth of the width of the enclosure. Their nondimensional length $(l∕H)$ varies from 0 (a nonpartitioned enclosure) to 0.5 (two separate enclosures). A good agreement was found between the results in the present study and those published previously. The partitions were found to significantly influence the convective heat transfer. The average Nusselt number is less in the presence of partitions, and it decreases with increasing partition length $(l∕H)$ from 0 to 0.5.

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Figures

Figure 1

(a) Schematic of the partitioned rectangular enclosure and (b) thermal boundary conditions at the end walls and partitions

Figure 2

Comparison of predicted results with published results for a nonpartitioned enclosure (AR=1 and φ=90deg)

Figure 3

Nusselt number profiles along the hot wall. (a) Nonpartitioned enclosure. (b) Partitioned enclosure at Ra=3.5×105 and φ=90deg.

Figure 4

Comparison of computed midheight temperature with measurement at Ra=3.5×105 and φ=90deg

Figure 5

Streamlines and isotherms for different partition lengths at Ra=105 and b∕W=0.1: (a) l∕H=0, (b) l∕H=0.125, (c) l∕H=0.25, (d) l∕H=0.375, and (e) l∕H=0.5

Figure 6

Streamlines and isotherms for different partition lengths at Ra=106 and b∕W=0.1: (a) l∕H=0, (b) l∕H=0.125, (c) l∕H=0.25, (d) l∕H=0.375, and (e) l∕H=0.5

Figure 7

Effect of the partition length and Rayleigh numbers on the mean Nusselt number for b∕W=0.1

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