Effect of Property Variation on the Fluid Flow and Thermal Behavior in a Vertical Channel

Natural convection in a vertical fin array is studied numerically for Non-Boussineśq and Boussineśq fluid with the effect of property variations. Simulations are carried out for the specified range: non-dimensional fin spacing = ۰.۲ to ۰.۵, non-dimensional clearance = ۰.۰۵ to ۰.۴ and Grashof number = ۱.۸۶ × ۱۰۵ to ۸.۶۴ × ۱۰۵. Computations are executed to plot the isotherms contours across the section close to the outlet to exemplify the effect of non-Boussineśq fluid in natural convection for variable properties. Computation demonstrates a maximum of ۹% higher overall Nu for fixed property Boussineśq fluid than compared to the non-Boussineśq fluid. And for the Boussineśq fluid with the thermo-physical property maintained constant, the results obtained for local Nusselt number is consistently higher than compared to the inconsistent thermo-physical property. Also temperature drop close to the tip of the fin is higher at higher Gr, indicating higher heat transfer rate. Finally, for overall Nusselt number a correlation with the governing parametyers for the present investigation is developed.

Keywords:

Boussineśq , Natural convection , Non , Variable property , Nusselt number