A control volume finite difference method for buoyant flow in three-dimensional curvilinear non-orthogonal co-ordinates

This paper presents a control-volume-based finite difference method in non-orthogonal curvilinear coordinates on a local basis in which the vectors and tensors are all based on the general curvilinear coordinates for buoyant flow calculations in arbitrary three-dimensional geometries. The governing equations are transformed from Cartesian co-ordinates into generalized curvilinear co-ordinates. After integrating the set of equations for the control volumes, the finite difference equations are then formulated by a proper treatment of the heat flux and stress tensors and by incorporating the QUICK scheme for the convective terms. The solution procedure then follows the one for three-dimensional Cartesian co-ordinates. Examples are given in problems of natural convection in such three-dimensional enclosures as parallelepiped enclosures and horizontal closed cylinders with differentially heated ends. In the latter case, important applications have been found in crystal growth by means of chemical vapour deposition in a cylindrical ampoule, in which uniform heat fluxes along the two ends are required in order to produce high-quality crystals. Special attention is given to the insertion of baffles in the cylinder to improve the recirculating flow patterns near the two ends.