Open Access

ARTICLE

Numerical Modelling of Rib Width and Surface Radiation Effect on Natural Convection in a Vertical Vented and Divided Channel

Nadia Dihmani¹, Samir Amraqui¹, Ahmed Mezrhab^1,2, Najib Laraqi³

1 Université Mohammed Premier, Faculté des Sciences, Laboratoire de Mécanique & Energétique, 60000 Oujda, Maroc.
2 Author correspondant: amezrhab@yahoo.fr
3 Université Paris Ouest, LTIE, EA 4415, GTE, F-92410 Ville d’Avray, France

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2012, 8(3), 311-322. https://doi.org/10.3970/fdmp.2012.008.311

Abstract

Natural convection with surface radiation heat transfer is investigated numerically in a vented vertical channel heated asymmetrically. The numerical solution is obtained using a finite volume method based on the SIMPLER algorithm for the treatment of velocity-pressure coupling. Concerning the radiation exchange, in particular, the working fluid is assumed to be transparent, so that only the solid surfaces (assumed diffuse-grey) give a contribute to such exchange. The effect of Rayleigh numbers and rib width (for Pr=0.7 air fluid) on the heat transfer and flow structure in the channel is examined in detail. Results are presented in terms of isotherms, streamlines, and average Nusselt number.

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