Geometric effect on magnetohydrodynamic convection in a half-moon shaped cavity filled with water having semi-circular bottom heater

Magneto-hydrodynamic convection has been gaining attention due to its wide range of application. In this paper magneto-hydrodynamic convection in a half-moon (semi-circular) shaped cavity has been analysed. The cavity has two semi-circular bottom heaters and effect of distance between this two heaters has been thoroughly investigated for two different cases (lambda = 0.1, 0.4). Numerical simulation has been carried out for a wide range of Rayleigh number (Ra = 10(3) similar to 10(7)) and for Hartmann number (Ha = 0 similar to 100) to understand the flow and thermal field. Galerkin weighted residual method of finite element analysis has been adopted for numerical solution along with code validation and grid independency test to ensure the numerical accuracy. It has been found that strengthening of magnetic field tries to reduce the heat transfer rate, whereas increment of heater distance augments the heat transfer rate. Results analysed on the basis of Nusselt number and average fluid temperatures are shown by related contours, plots and graphical analysis. Therefore, higher heat transfer rate has been achieved for. = 0.4. (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.