Natural convection and entropy generation in a three dimensional volumetrically heated and partially divided cavity

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide a solution for natural convection in a cavity with a partial heater in case of volumetric heating and analysis of the entropy generation. Design/methodology/approach - The control volume method based on three-dimensional (3D) vorticity-potential vector was applied to solve governing equations of natural convection in a 3D cavity with a fin for different governing parameters as external Rayleigh numbers (103 = Ra-E = 106), internal Rayleigh numbers 103 = Ra-I = 106, partition height (0.25 = h = 0.75) and partition location (0.25 = c = 0.75). A code was written by using Fortran platform. Findings - The edge of the fin becomes important on entropy generation. The ratio of the Ra-I/Ra-E plays the important role on natural convection and entropy generation. The variation of external Rayleigh number becomes insignificant for the Ra-I/Ra-E > 1. Originality/value - The originality of this work is to analyze the entropy generation and natural convection in a cubical cavity with volumetrically heating.