Multiple steady state solutions resulting from coupling between mixed convection and radiation in an inclined channel

In this work, we present a numerical study of mixed convection coupled with radiation in an inclined channel with an aspect ratio B = L'/H'=10, and locally heated from one side. Convective, radiative and total Nusselt numbers, evaluated on the cold surface and at the exit of the channel, are presented for different combinations of the governing parameters namely, the surface emissivity (0 <= epsilon <= 1), the Reynolds number (10 <= Re <= 50), the inclination of the channel with respect to the horizontal surface (0 degrees <= theta <= 90 degrees) and the Rayleigh number (Ra = 10(5)). The ratio, R = Q(C)/Q(E), of the heat quantities, leaving the channel through the cold wall, Q(C), and through the exit, Q(E), is presented to identify the most favorable issue to the heat transfer in the studied configuration. The results obtained show that the flow structure is significantly altered by radiation which contributes to reduce or to enhance the number of the solutions obtained.