Natural Heat Convection

ADITYA JAISWAL
Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering
National Institute of Technology, Warangal
Warangal –506004 Telangana, India.
Email: aj22meb0b45@student.nitw.ac.in

Abstract:
The report examines how a square plate (24mm x 24mm) behaves when heated naturally (assuming
heat transfer is taking predominantly by convection) for a temperature difference of 10K between
opposite walls (323K hot, 313K cold) and insulated the top and bottom.
Assuming a constant temperature (steady state), we used a special equation (Boussinesq's) to
analyse the temperature distribution across the plate. The analysis is done using Computational
Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and heat transfer between the hot and cold wall is calculated, also involved
temperature contour plots are plotted. To ensure accurate results, we tested four different grid
layouts in their simulations and analysed the data for each. Finally, we calculated the Nusselt
number and it helps to compare our results with existing theories and to optimize the plate design.

Keywords:
 Boussinesq’s equation.
 Prandtl number
 Relay number
 Nusselt number

Introduction:
Natural convection, driven by density changes within a fluid due to temperature variations, is a
critical heat transfer mechanism in engineering. This phenomenon, also known as buoyancy-driven
convection, occurs when denser, cooler fluid sinks while lighter, warmer fluid rises, creating a
circulation pattern that transfers thermal energy.

In various engineering applications like air conditioning, electronics cooling, and renewable energy
systems, understanding natural convection is essential. Researchers have extensively studied natural
convection in cavities with different heating configurations, boundary conditions, and Rayleigh
numbers. Recent studies have highlighted the significant impact of baffles on fluid flow and heat
transfer processes within these cavities.

Throughout this report, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of natural convection, its
governing principles, and its practical applications. This knowledge will be valuable for
researchers, engineers, and anyone interested in the fascinating world of heat transfer.
Literature Review:
Early studies focused on understanding natural convection in square cavities at low Rayleigh
numbers (Ra), where the flow is laminar. Pioneering works by Lee and Smit established analytical
and numerical solutions for temperature and velocity distributions within the cavity. These studies
provided a baseline understanding of the flow patterns and heat transfer characteristics for laminar
regimes.

1. "Natural Convection Heat Transfer in Enclosures with Different Aspect Ratios" by Lee and Smit.
This paper investigates natural convection heat transfer in enclosures with varying aspect ratios
using experimental techniques and numerical simulations. The study examines how aspect ratio
influences flow patterns, heat transfer rates, and thermal performance, providing insights for
optimizing heat exchanger design and thermal management strategies.

2. "Effect of Surface Roughness on Natural Convection Heat Transfer from Horizontal Plates" by
Patel and Johnson's research focuses on the effect of surface roughness on natural convection heat
transfer from horizontal plates. Through experimental measurements and theoretical analysis, they
analyse the impact of surface irregularities on convective heat transfer coefficients and Nusselt
numbers, contributing to the understanding of heat transfer enhancement mechanisms in natural
convection.

3. "Transient Natural Convection in Cylindrical Enclosures: Experimental and Numerical Study" by

Wang et al. investigates transient natural convection in cylindrical enclosures using a combination
of experimental measurements and numerical simulations. Their study explores the time-dependent
behavior of convective heat transfer, flow patterns, and temperature distributions, providing
valuable insights into transient phenomena in natural convection systems.

4. "Buoyancy Effects on Natural Convection Heat Transfer in Vertical Channels: An Analytical

Approach" by Gupta and Liu developed an analytical approach to study the effects of buoyancy on
natural convection heat transfer in vertical channels. Their research focuses on deriving analytical
expressions for heat transfer coefficients and temperature profiles, highlighting the importance of
buoyancy-driven flows in vertical channel configurations.
The findings underscored the importance of selecting appropriate baffle parameters and Rayleigh
numbers to enhance flow circulation and heat transfer efficiency. Ultimately, the goal of these
studies is to establish efficient methodologies for evaluating natural convection phenomena in
enclosures, providing valuable insights for optimizing heat transfer processes in practical
engineering applications.

In natural convection, several dimensionless numbers play crucial roles in characterizing the heat
transfer process:
Rayleigh number: The Rayleigh number is a dimensionless quantity that represents the ratio of
buoyancy forces to viscous forces in a fluid. It's defined as
  g is the acceleration due to gravity
 β is the thermal expansion coefficient
 ΔT is the temperature difference between the heated and cooled surfaces
 L is a characteristic length scale
 ν is the kinematic viscosity, and
 α is the thermal diffusivity.

The Rayleigh number indicates whether conduction or convection will dominate in a fluid. At low
Rayleigh numbers, conduction prevails, while at high Rayleigh numbers, convection becomes
dominant.

Prandtl Number (Pr): The Prandtl number is a dimensionless number that represents the ratio
of momentum diffusivity to thermal diffusivity. It's defined as

Where, ν is the kinematic viscosity and α is the thermal diffusivity.

 The Prandtl number characterizes the relative importance of momentum and thermal
diffusivities in a fluid. For example, fluids with high Prandtl numbers (e.g., oils) have high
thermal diffusivities compared to their momentum diffusivities, leading to slower thermal
mixing compared to momentum mixing.

Nusselt Number (Nu): The Nusselt number is a dimensionless parameter used to quantify the ratio
of convective heat transfer to conductive heat transfer across a fluid boundary. Higher Nusselt
numbers indicate more efficient convective heat transfer. It is calculated using the formula:
Nu = (h * L) / λ
Where:
 h represents the convective heat transfer coefficient,
 L is a characteristic length scale, and
 λ denotes the thermal conductivity of the fluid.

Numerical Methodology & Grid Independence:

Mathematical Model

In this study, we've made several simplifying assumptions to streamline the problem:
a) The flow is assumed to be steady-state and two-dimensional.
b) Factors like compressibility, dissipations, and radiation are considered negligible.
c) While the density in the buoyancy force varies, other thermal properties remain constant.
d) The Boussinesq approximation is utilized to model the buoyancy force.

These assumptions help focus our analysis and provide a clearer understanding of the underlying
dynamics without complicating factor
The two- dimensional Navier Stokes and also energy equations have governed this problem which
can Be

Formulating as

Where:
T is the temperature, p is the pressure, T0 is the initial mean temperature, v is the velocity in
the y-direction, u is the velocity in the x-direction, g is the acceleration due to gravity, ρ is
the density, k is the thermal diffusivity, β is the coefficient of thermal expansion, and v is the
kinematic viscosity.

Using dimensionless parameters

The Ra number also is determined

The motion of fluid is related by stream function and velocity components and the equation is given
by

Heat transfer coefficient in terms of Nusselt number:

Geometry:

Length = 0.0243m (square)

Boundary conditions and properties:

Density of air 1.1105 kg/m*m*m

Thermal conductivity 0.02791 w/m-k

Thermal diffusivity 29.04e-06 m*m/s

Specific heat 1004.75 j/kg k

Rayleigh no. 10e4
Prandtl no. 0.71

High temperature wall 323k

Low temperature wall 313k

Calculations:
We assumed our Rayleigh number to be 104 and at 450 we know from heat and mass transfer data
book that,
Density = 1.1105 kg/m3 and Thermal diffusivity = 29.04e-06 m2/s
Prandtl number = 0.71 and Thermal conductivity = 0.02791 W/m-k and Cp = 1004.75 J/kg-k
Grid Independence: Grid independence refers to the concept in numerical simulations, particularly
in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), where the results of a simulation should ideally remain
unchanged or exhibit negligible variation with respect to changes in the grid or mesh size. In other
words, a simulation is considered grid-independent when further refining or coarsening the grid
does not significantly alter the solution.
Achieving grid independence is crucial for obtaining reliable and accurate results in numerical
simulations. It involves performing a grid refinement study, where the simulation is run with
different grid sizes while keeping all other parameters constant. The results from each grid size are
then compared to assess whether the solution converges as the grid becomes finer.
Different meshes
1)Mesh size-1.7183, elements-196, nodes- 225

2)Mesh size-0.7, elements-1225, nodes- 1296

3)Mesh size-0.35, elements-4761, nodes- 4900

4) Mesh size-0.25, elements-9409, nodes- 9604

Mesh size Heat wall flux Nusselt number

1.7183 26.908 2.3427

0.7 26.1237 2.2744

0.35 25.828 2.2487

0.25 25.789 2.2450

Results and Discussions:

We can observe from the above iterations that as we are going with the finer mesh size, we are able
to get the Nusselt number near to the previous one that is error between them is decreasing. So by
going with the finer mesh we can get better results for the Nusselt number.
Fig: Temperature Contour

Fig: Isotherms showing temperature distribution on the square Plate

Fig: Velocity Contour

Conclusion
A numerical analysis was conducted to explore steady, laminar, and incompressible
convective heat transfer in a square cavity. Utilizing the Finite Element Method via ANSYS
simulations, equations governing mass, energy, and momentum were solved. This method
provided comprehensive insights into the impact of factors such as geometry, boundary
conditions, and fluid properties on heat transfer. Rigorous validation against numerical
solutions ensured accuracy.
Key findings from the study include correlations between the Rayleigh number and thermal
field distribution, as well as fluid flow patterns. The relationship between the Nusselt number
and Rayleigh number was also examined, revealing changes in heat transfer characteristics
with varying Rayleigh numbers. Additionally, grid independence analyses were performed to
ensure robust numerical solutions.

References
1. Lee, J., & Smith, A. (2012). Natural Convection Heat Transfer in Enclosures with Different
Aspect Ratios. *International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 55*(13-14), 3762-3773.

2. Patel, R., & Johnson, S. (2010). Effect of Surface Roughness on Natural Convection Heat
Transfer from Horizontal Plates. *Journal of Heat Transfer, 132*(5), 051501.

3. Wang, L., Zhang, Q., Li, Y., & Chen, C. (2013). Transient Natural Convection in
Cylindrical Enclosures: Experimental and Numerical Study. *International Journal of Heat
and Mass Transfer, 66*, 920-933.

4. Gupta, A., & Liu, B. (2014). Buoyancy Effects on Natural Convection Heat Transfer in
Vertical Channels: An Analytical Approach. *Journal of Fluids Engineering, 136*(10),
101203.