Modeling of the thermal performance of air-filled partitioned enclosures: Effects of the geometry and thermal properties

Abstract

Enclosures divided by multiple vertical diffusive partitions have a high insulating quality and may provide tangible benefits as a construction material. The enclosure under investigation is differentially heated, with adiabatic bottom and top sides. The three coupled modes of heat transfer are investigated numerically. An analysis of the interaction of natural convection and surface radiation has been conducted by studying the influence of the partitions and walls surface emissivity. A parametric study is conducted to point out the influence on global heat transfer of some parameters such as partitions number, enclosure void fraction, and thermal conductivity ratio of partitions and side walls.

Thermal analysis of a non-homogeneous insulating panel

“…Several recent studies of heat transfer across smaller voids and airspaces have employed computational modelling. Pavlı´k et al (2014) and Sambou et al (2016) took this approach in considering sideways heat flow through hollow bricks. Gossard et al (2012) developed the Nusselt number correlations for small rectangular cavities, as found in hollow blocks, also considering horizontal heat flow, under conditions where the Nusselt number remained under 4.…”

Numerical investigation of conjugate heat transfer in the presence of two fluid separated by a rigid wall

“…The thermal phenomenon induced by this type of heat transfer is an interesting question for many studies focusing on building thermal area. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Further studies have been conducted investigating combined convection/conduction in other engineering fields such as heat exchangers. [8][9][10] Also, gas turbine design and their operation mode involves a very precise analysis of conjugate heat transfer for temperature field prediction and better cooling of turbine components.…”

“…This phenomenon is implicated in several industrial applications and has a very wide research interest. The thermal phenomenon induced by this type of heat transfer is an interesting question for many studies focusing on building thermal area 1‐7 . Further studies have been conducted investigating combined convection/conduction in other engineering fields such as heat exchangers 8‐10 .…”

“…Boukendil et al 4 have numerically studied coupled heat transfer within an alveolar wall subjected to sinusoidal excitation. Another study in thermal building fields implicating heat transfer coupled with conduction, natural convection, and radiation across alveolar double walls was carried out by Boukendil et al 5 Effects of geometry and thermal properties on the thermal performance of air‐filled partitioned enclosures were the subject of a numerical investigation carried out by Sambou et al 6 Analysis of thermal radiation effects on conjugate heat transfer through a multicavity building block was carried out by Antar 24 . The authors have concluded that thermal radiation plays a significant role in heat transfer processes of this application.…”

Numerical analysis of thermal transmittance of hollow concrete blocks

“…Heat transfer through hollow blocks is complex due to simultaneous radiation–convection–conduction processes that occur within its core (Sambou et al, 2016) and different configurations of cavities inside masonry blocks. Among the focused studies found in the literature, Bouchair (2008) performed a numerical study on hollow clay bricks of various designs and types of cavity insulation.…”