Numerical Study of the Cross Flow in a Non-isothermal Open Cavity

Abstract

In the present work, the laminar steady state fluid dynamics and heat transfer, in a two-dimensional open cavity with a cross flow due to a secondary jet injected at the top wall, are analyzed. The numerical study is carried out for a Reynolds number of 500 with different Richardson and Prandtl numbers. A hot plate is provided on the bottom of the cavity which generates the heating of the fluid. In order to investigate the effect of the length of the plate two different plate sizes are considered. The governing equations of continuity, momentum and energy for incompressible flow are solved by the finite element method combined with the splitting operator scheme. It is studied the streamlines and isotherms inside the cavity and it is analyzed the average Nusselt number, the average temperature and the outlet temperature as a function of the Richardson and Prandtl numbers. It is observed that the Prandtl and Richardson numbers play a major role in the thermal and fluid behavior of the flow inside the cavity with a cross flow. Moreover the results indicate that a secondary jet injected at the top wall enhances the average Nusselt number.