Numerical Simulation of Free Convection in a Partially Heated Three-Dimensional Enclosure Filled with Ionanofluid ([C 4 mim][NTf 2 ]-Cu)

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.