Effect of baffle-cavity ratios on buoyancy convection in a cavity with mutually orthogonal heated baffles

Buoyancy driven convection in a square cavity induced by two mutually orthogonal and arbitrarily located baffles is studied numerically. The baffles are of different sizes and the flow is two-dimensional. The coupled governing equations were solved by finite difference method using Alternating Direction Implicit technique and Successive Over-Relaxation method. The steady state results are presented in the form of streamline and isotherm plots. It is found that buoyancy force plays a key role and overall heat transfer in the cavity is enhanced for higher values of both baffle-cavity ratios. Flow inhibition emerges as a deciding factor and diminishes heat transfer when the horizontal baffle is located above the center of the cavity. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.