Numerical simulation by a lattice Boltzmann method of fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in a discreetly heated cavity containing water near its density maximum

A partially heated square cavity containing water near its density maximum is studied numerically by a lattice Boltzmann method. This paper investigates the effect of varying the size of the heated portion E as well as the imposed temperatures T'(H) at the hot wall, which is modelized through the inversion parameter theta. Two thermal behaviors have been distinguished and discussed in light of the Nusselt number Nu computed at the cold wall T'(C) = 0 C and heatlines visualization: At E <= 0.6, a unicellular structure obtained for theta = 0.5 corresponding to T'(H) = 6 C leads to maximum heat transfer. At E > 0.6, the maximum heat transfer is given by the bicellular structure obtained for theta = 1.5 corresponding to T'(H) = 10 C. From the results of this work, it can be concluded that in certain cases, E <= 0.6, the system reaches a maximum heat transfer at a low applied temperature T'(H) = 6 C.

Automated summary

This paper numerically studies the heat transfer characteristics of a partially heated square cavity and investigates the effect of heating area size and applied temperature. The results show that the system can achieve maximum heat transfer under different conditions.