Numerical investigation of natural convection in a partitioned rectangular enclosure

This work presents a numerical analysis using the finite-element method of natural-convection heat transfer and flow patterns in a square partitioned enclosure with two partitions protruding centrally from the end walls of the enclosure. The enclosure has opposite isothermal walls at different temperatures. The length of the partitions is fixed and equal to one-fourth the height of the enclosure. Three partition positions and thicknesses are considered. Computation of Nusselt numbers for Rayleigh numbers in the range 10(4)-10(6) is done. Standard boundary conditions are introduced as being more appropriate to simulate situations of practical engineering interest. Results clearly demonstrate that partition location and thickness have a significant effect on heat transfer.