Computational Heat Transfer and Entropy Generation Analysis of Natural Convection in a Trapezoidal Cavity

Abstract

A numerical study is carried out to investigate natural convective heat transfer process in a water-filled trapezoidal cavity heated from below using finite volume method in solving the governing equations. The study examined the effects of Rayleigh number (Ra = 101-106), heat source length (Ls = 0.1-0.9), angle of inclination (teta = 0º-75º) on the Nusselt number (Nu) and entropy generation of the trapezoidal cavity. The results of the investigation indicate that Nu increases when the source length increases, and the angle of inclination decreases. Also, Nu also increases with Ra when the source length and inclination angle are fixed. The total entropy is dominated by thermal entropy generation (Sthermal) and is seen to increase with source length. The results presented in isotherms and streamlines indicate that viscous and buoyancy forces are significant in the trapezoidal cavity.