Incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations of natural convection flow resulting from embedded Y-fin inside Y-shaped enclosure filled with a nanofluid

Purpose The purpose of this study is to apply the incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics (ISPH) method to simulate the natural convection flow from an inner heated Y-fin inside Y-shaped enclosure filled with nanofluid. Design/methodology/approach The dimensionless governing partial differential equations are described in the Lagrangian form and solved by an implicit scheme of the ISPH method. The embedded Y-fin is kept at a high temperature T-h with variable heights during the simulations. The lower area of Y-shaped enclosure is squared with width L = 1 m and its side-walls are kept at a low temperature T-c. The upper area of the Y-shaped enclosure is V-shaped with width 0.5 L for each side and its walls are adiabatic. Findings The performed simulations revealed that the height of the inner heated Y-fin plays an important role in the heat transfer and fluid flow inside the Y-shaped enclosure, where it enhances the heat transfer. Rayleigh number augments the buoyancy force inside the Y-shaped enclosure and, consequently, it has a strong impact on temperature distributions and strength of the fluid flow inside Y-shaped enclosure. Adding more concentration of the nanofluid until 10% has a slight effect on the temperature distributions and it reduces the strength of the fluid flow inside Y-shaped enclosure. In addition, the average Nusselt number is measured along the inner heated Y-fin and it grows as the Rayleigh number increases. The average Nusselt number is decreasing by adding more concentrations of the nanofluid. Originality/value An improved ISPH method is used to simulate the natural convection flow of Y-fin embedded in the Y-shaped enclosure filled with a nanofluid.

Automated summary

The study applied the ISPH method to simulate natural convection flow in a Y-shaped enclosure with an inner heated Y-fin and nanofluid. It was found that the height of the Y-fin, Rayleigh number, and nanofluid concentration significantly affect heat transfer and fluid flow inside the enclosure. Increasing Rayleigh number enhances buoyancy force and temperature distributions, while higher nanofluid concentrations reduce fluid flow strength.