Finite element analysis of transient natural convection in an odd‐shaped enclosure

The transient natural convective flow and heat transfer in a combined vertical and horizontal enclosure have been studied. The Galerkin’s finite element method coupled with Eulerian velocity correction scheme for pressure prediction has been employed. A detailed parametric study has been undertaken for evaluating the effects of Rayleigh number (Ra), width ratio (WR), and prescribed boundary conditions. The results indicate that the flow and isothermal patterns are strongly dependent on Ra and WR. Comparison with the results of vertical and horizontal enclosures indicates that the flow and heat transfer phenomena inside complex shaped cavities may be approximated in terms of the processes within vertical or horizontal sub‐domains. This appears to be reasonably valid if opposite walls of the enclosure are parallel. It is also observed that for certain types of boundary conditions, steady solutions do not exist at high Rayleigh numbers.

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