Buoyancy-induced flow and heat transfer in a partially divided square enclosure

The present investigation addressed buoyancy-induced heat transfer in a partially divided square enclosure. The transport equations were solved using the finite element formulation based on the Galerkin method of weighted residuals. The validity of the numerical code used was ascertained by comparing our results with previously published results. Results were obtained in terms of streamlines, isotherms, and Nusselt number for various geometrical parameters specifying the height, width and position of the heater. The effect of Rayleigh number in the range of 10(4) <= Ra <= 5 x 10(7) was highlighted in the proposed work. The results revealed that all the parameters related to the geometrical dimensions of the heater were significant on the flow field, isotherms, and heat transfer. The examined dimensionless geometric dimensions employed along with their respective ranges were: heater width (0.005 <= W <= 0.5), heater height (0.005 <= H <= 0.5). and heater location (0 <= D <= 0.5). The investigation revealed that increased heater height, width, and location has enhanced the heat transfer due to increasing the surface area of the heater. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.