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An Analytical Model for Natural Convection in a Rectangular Enclosure with Differentially Heated Vertical Walls

Author

Listed:
  • Alberto Fichera

    (Department of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy)

  • Manuel Marcoux

    (Institut de Mècaniques des Fluides (IMFT), Université de Toulouse, 31013 Toulouse, France)

  • Arturo Pagano

    (Department of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy)

  • Rosaria Volpe

    (Department of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

This paper proposes an analytical model for natural convection in a closed rectangular enclosure filled by a fluid, with imposed heat fluxes at the vertical walls and adiabatic horizontal walls. The analytical model offers a simplified, but easy to handle, description of the temperature and velocity fields. The predicted temperature, velocity, and pressure fields are shown to be in agreement with those obtained from a reliable numerical model. The Nusselt numbers for both the analytical and numerical solutions are then calculated and compared, varying both the aspect ratio of the enclosure and the Rayleigh number. Based on the comparisons, it is possible to assess the dependence of the reliability of the analytical model on the aspect ratio of the enclosure, showing that the prediction error rapidly decreases with the increase of the enclosure slenderness.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Fichera & Manuel Marcoux & Arturo Pagano & Rosaria Volpe, 2020. "An Analytical Model for Natural Convection in a Rectangular Enclosure with Differentially Heated Vertical Walls," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-20, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:12:p:3220-:d:374490
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