Entropy production and mixed convection within trapezoidal cavity having nanofluids and localised solid cylinder

The entropy production and mixed convection within a trapezoidal nanofluid-filled cavity having a localised solid cylinder is numerically examined using the finite element technique. The top horizontal surface moving at a uniform velocity is kept at a cold temperature, while the bottom horizontal surface is thermally activated. The remaining surfaces are maintained adiabatic. Water-based nanofluids (Al2O3 nanoparticles) are used in this study, and the Boussinesq approximation applies. The influence of the Reynolds number, Richardson number, nanoparticles volume fraction, dimensionless radius and location of the solid cylinder on the streamlines, isotherms and isentropic are examined. The results show that the solid cylinder's size and location are significant control parameters for optimising the heat transfer and the Bejan number inside the trapezoidal cavity. Furthermore, the maximum average Nusselt numbers are obtained for high R values, where the average Nusselt number is increased by 30% when R is raised from 0 to 0.25.

Automated summary

This study numerically examined entropy production and mixed convection within a trapezoidal nanofluid-filled cavity with a localized solid cylinder. The results showed that the size and location of the solid cylinder are significant control parameters for optimizing heat transfer, with the highest average Nusselt numbers obtained for high R values.