A numerical analysis was performed to study free convection in a stationary laminar regime in a partially heated cube filled with ionanofluid. To numerically solve the dimensionless equations, we applied the finite volume method using the SIMPLEC algorithm for pressure correction. All walls are adiabatic, except for the left and right side walls which are partially heated differently. At the end of this simulation, several results are given in the form of current lines, isotherms, and variations in the Nusselt number. These results are obtained by analyzing the effect of a set of factors such as Rayleigh number, particle volume fraction, cold and source position on the dynamic and thermal fields, and heat transfer. It has been shown that the percentage of nanoparticles and high Rayleigh numbers significantly increase heat transfer by ionanofluid. Two comparisons have been made, between ionic fluid and ionanofluid at isotherms and streamlines, and between nanofluid and ionanofluid at Nusselt number, which show the advantage of using ionanofluid in heat transfer.

Convective heat transfer using nanofluids play an important role in thermal applications such as heat exchangers, automotive industries, and power generation. In this work, a numerical analysis is conducted to examine the heat transfer of nanofluid in three-dimensional differentially heated cavity. The finite volume method-based SIMPLEC algorithm is used to solve the system of the mass, momentum, and energy transfer governing equations. The left and the right vertical side walls of the cube are maintained at constant temperatures T C and T H , respectively. The remaining walls of the cube are insulated. Effective thermal conductivity and viscosity of the nanofluid are determined using Brinkman and Maxwell models, respectively. Studies are carried out for three types of nanoparticles and volume fractions of nanoparticles ( 0 – 5 % ). The effects of two binary liquid mixtures as a base fluid (propylene glycol-water and ethylene glycol-water) are also examined. Results show an enhancement of 13 % for Al2O3-EG in comparison to pure ethylene glycol in the case of Ra = 10 3 . In addition, heat transfer enhancement was increased with the rise of nanoparticle volume fractions.

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