Numerical Investigation of Mixed Convection Heat Transfer in Three‐Dimensional Ventilated Enclosure Containing a T‐Shaped Heat Fin: Effects of Dimensionless Numbers

Abstract

The numerical investigation of mixed convection heat transfer in a three‐dimensional ventilated enclosure containing a T‐shaped heat fin is crucial to understanding the complex heat transfer mechanisms involved in such systems and optimizing their efficiency for various engineering applications. This research focuses on numerically examining mixed convective heat transfer within a 3D rectangular ventilated enclosure including a T‐shaped heat fin heated at a constant temperature. The study spans a broad range of parameters, including the Prandtl number (0.71 ≤ Pr ≤ 7.10), Richardson number (0.1 ≤ Ri ≤ 10), Reynolds number (10 ≤ Re ≤ 1500), and fluid–solid thermal conductivity ratio (0.1 ≤ Κ ≤ 10). Numerical simulations utilizing the ANSYS Fluent CFD code reveal that the thermal distribution, the fluid flow field, the rate of heat transfer, and the average Nusselt number Nu ave associated with the heat fin surface and the dominance of a particular convection regime are significantly influenced by these parameters. The outcomes are succinctly summarized in a correlation (Nu ave = a Re b Ri c ), holding implications for engineering design.