Physical model of the dependence of the Nusselt number on the Rayleigh number

The dependence of the Nusselt number on the Rayleigh number at the stage preceding the turbulent regime of convection is substantiated and obtained in analytic form. At this stage, the Nusselt number can be described by the power dependence on the Rayleigh number, which contains five constants. One of these constants is the same for all liquids and is the critical Rayleigh number Ra_cr = 1700 ± 51. The remaining four constants are strictly individual for each type of liquid. For liquid helium, the critical Rayleigh number Ra_cr = 35000 ± 4000 has the threshold value (Ra₁^mix)th = 37 085.75. This value is determined by the small ratio of the diameter of the vessel to its height, as well as the formation of a cylindrical convection cell at the bottom of the vessel with a mode number of 2 and a radial number determined by the fourth root of the firstorder Bessel function of the first kind.     

Buoyancy induced flow in a nanofluid filled enclosure partially exposed to forced convection

A numerical study was performed on natural convection for water–CuO nanofluid filled enclosure where the top surface was partially exposed to convection. The cavity has a square cross-section and differentially heated. Except exposed convection part on the top, all sides are adiabatic on horizontal walls. Effects of Rayleigh number (10³ ? Ra ? 10⁵), Biot number (0 ? Bi ? ∞), length of partial convection (0.0 ? L ? 1.0) and volume fraction of nanoparticles (0.0 ? φ ? 0.1) on heat and fluid flow were investigated. The results showed that for the case of high Biot number that heat transfer along the heated was enhanced by increasing the Rayleigh number mainly at the upper portion of the heated wall. When the top wall was totally exposed to convection, the results prevail that the heat transfer was more effective at high Biot number especially at the upper portion of the heated wall. For the case of high Biot number, the results prevailed that the heat transfer at the upper portion of the heated wall increases considerably at high exposed length to convection (L); however, for L ? 0.75 the effect of L was less pronounced. Contour maps for percentage of heat transfer enhancement were presented and it was shown that the location of maximum enhancement in heat transfer was sensitive to Ra, φ and L.     

Application of the multi distribution function lattice Boltzmann approach to thermal flows

Numerical methods able to model high Rayleigh (Ra) and high Prandtl (Pr) number thermal convection are important to study large-scale geophysical phenomena occuring in very viscous fluids such as magma chamber dynamics (10⁴ < Pr < 10⁷ and 10⁷ < Ra < 10¹¹). The important variable to quantify the thermal state of a convective fluid is a generalized dimensionless heat transfer coefficient (the Nusselt number) whose measure indicates the relative efficiency of the thermal convection. In this paper we test the ability of Multi-distribution Function approach (MDF) Thermal Lattice Boltzmann method to study the well-established scaling result for the Nusselt number (Nu ∝ Ra ^1/3) in Rayleigh Bénard convection for 10⁴ ≤ Ra ≤ 10⁹ and 10¹ ≤ Pr ≤ 10⁴. We explore its main drawbacks in the range of Pr and Ra number under investigation: (1) high computational time N _c required for the algorithm to converge and (2) high spatial accuracy needed to resolve the thickness of thermal plumes and both thermal and velocity boundary layer. We try to decrease the computational demands of the method using a multiscale approach based on the implicit dependence of the Pr number on the relaxation time, the spatial and temporal resolution characteristic of the MDF thermal model.     

Experimental Study of Natural Convection from Electrically Heated Vertical Cylinders Immersed in Air

Abstract

An experimental study of laminar steady-state natural convection heat transfer from electrically heated vertical cylinders immersed in air has been undertaken. Three stainless steel (316 SS) test sections of different slenderness ratios were employed. Surface temperature profiles along the vertical cylinders were obtained using miniature thermocouples when the cylinders were heated with different power levels resulting in different total wall heat fluxes. After the mandatory corrections for the radiation heat fluxes were made, three correlation equations relating the local Nusselt number Nu_y with the local modified Rayleigh number Ra^* _y and the position-to-cylinder diameter y/d were developed. The correlation equations are valid for Ra^* _y ≤ 2 × 10¹².     

Laminar Natural Convection in a Square Cavity with a Partition on the Heated Vertical Wall

Abstract

The laminar natural convection in an air-filled square cavity with a partition on the heated vertical wall was experimentally investigated. Temperature measurements and flow visualizations were performed for cases with heated and cooled vertical walls (corresponding to a global Grashof number Gr _H of approximately 1.4 × 10⁸) and non dimensional top wall temperatures θ _T of 0.57 (insulated) to 2.3. Experiments were performed with an aluminum partition with non dimensional height H _P /H of 0.0625 and 0.125 attached to the heated vertical wall at y/H = 0.65 and 0.95. The blockage effect and/or the thermal effect of the partition resulted in changes to the temperature and flow fields but were mainly limited to the vicinity of the partition. For the cases with the heated top wall, the change in the height of the partition at y/H = 0.95 resulted in changes to the ambient temperature outside the boundary layer due to the reduction of the size of the recirculating flow in the corner region. The changes in the partition height and the top wall temperature affected the blockage effect of the partition, resulting in the local Nusselt number near the corner region to be affected. The local Nusselt number over most of the heated vertical wall of the partitioned cavity (y/H < 0.7) was correlated to the local Rayleigh number in the form Nu = C · Ra ⁿ .     

Long relaxation times and tilt sensitivity in Rayleigh Bénard turbulence

We study the influence of a small tilt angle ( rd) on the Nusselt number in a 1/2 aspect ratio Rayleigh-Bénard cell, at high Rayleigh number (5 x 10¹¹ < Ra < 4 x 10¹²). The small decrease observed is interpreted as revealing a two rolls structure of the flow. Transitions between different global flows are also observed, on very long times, comparable to the diffusion time on the whole cell. The consequence is that the Nusselt number observed in most high Ra experiments should significantly depend on initial conditions.Received: 19 May 2004, Published online: 12 August 2004PACS: 92.60.Ek Convection, turbulence, and diffusion - 47.27.Te Convection and heat transfer - 44.25. + f Natural convection     

MHD mixed convection flow and heat transfer in a porous medium

The effects of a steady two-dimensional laminar MHD mixed convection flow and heat transfer against a heated vertical semi-infinite permeable surface in a porous medium are discussed. The coupled nonlinear partial differential equations describing the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy are solved by a perturbation technique. The results are presented to illustrate the influence of Hartmann number (M), Prandtl number (Pr), permeability parameter (K _p ), suction/blowing parameter (f _w ), heat generation/absorption coefficient (?), and mixed convection or buoyancy parameter (γ). The effects of different parameters on the velocity and temperature as well as the skin friction and wall heat transfer are discussed with the help of figures.     

高瑞利数下水平自然热对流的幂律关系

采用数值模拟方法，研究了高度和宽度比为1∶10的狭长矩形腔内的水平自然热对流. 根据对瑞利数(Rayleigh数)Ra在10⁴ <Ra<10¹¹内情形的计算结果，将流动分为三个不同的区间：线性区、连续过渡区、1/5次幂律区. 虽然流量和努塞尔数(Nusselt数)Nu随瑞利数的变化都包括了三个参数演化区间，但从一个区间到另外一个参数区间的转变时并不是同步的，其中努塞尔数的转变总是超前流量的转变. 对比前人的研究发现，流量1/3次幂律的结果是由于瑞利数不够高所致. 此外，模拟结果也表明Siggers等的理论分析过高估计了热通量强度，实际的温度边界层内努塞尔数和瑞利数为1/5次幂律关系.     

The Ising Model on a Quenched Ensemble of c=−5 Gravity Graphs

We study with Monte Carlo methods an ensemble of c=–5 gravity graphs, generated by coupling a conformal field theory with central charge c=–5 to two-dimensional quantum gravity. We measure the fractal properties of the ensemble, such as the string susceptibility exponent _s and the intrinsic fractal dimension d _H. We find _s=–1.5(1) and d _H=3.36(4), in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions. In addition, we study the critical behavior of an Ising model on a quenched ensemble of the c=–5 graphs and show that it agrees, within numerical accuracy, with theoretical predictions for the critical behavior of an Ising model coupled dynamically to two-dimensional quantum gravity, with a total central charge of the matter sector c=–5.     

Numerical prediction of heat transfer by natural convection and radiation in an enclosure filled with an isotropic scattering medium

This paper deals with the numerical solution for natural convection and volumetric radiation in an isotropic scattering medium within a heated square cavity using a hybrid thermal lattice Boltzmann method (HTLBM). The multiple relaxation time lattice Boltzmann method (MRT-LBM) has been coupled to the finite difference method (FDM) to solve momentum and energy equations, while the discrete ordinates method (DOM) has been adopted to solve the radiative transfer equation (RTE) using the S8 quadrature. Based on these approaches, the effects of various influencing parameters such as the Rayleigh number (Ra), the wall emissivity (ε_ι), the Planck number (Pl), and the scattering albedo (ω), have been considered. The results presented in terms of isotherms, streamlines and averaged Nusselt number, show that in absence of radiation, the temperature and the flow fields are centro-symmetrics and the cavity core is thermally stratified. However, radiation causes an overall increase in the temperature and velocity gradients along both thermally active walls. The maximum heat transfer rate is obtained when the surfaces of the enclosure walls are regarded as blackbodies. It is also seen that the scattering medium can generate a multicellular flow.     

Non-Darcy free convection of Fe3O4-water nanoliquid in a complex shaped enclosure under impact of uniform Lorentz force

Effect of Lorentz forces on natural convection in a complex shaped cavity filled with nanoliquid immersed in porous medium is investigated by means of Control volume based finite element method (CVFEM). Non Darcy model is taken into account for porous media. The working fluid is Fe₃O₄ –water and its viscosity considered as function of magnetic field. Figures are illustrated for different values of Darcy number (Da), Fe₃O₄ -water volume fraction (?), Rayleigh (Ra) and Hartmann (Ha) numbers. Results depict that enhancing in Lorentz forces results in reduce in nanofluid motion and increase the thickness of thermal boundary. Convective heat transfer enhances with rise of Darcy number.     

Mode-to-mode energy transfers in convective patterns

We investigate the energy transfer between various Fourier modes in a low-dimensional model for thermal convection. We have used the formalism of mode-to-mode energy transfer rate in our calculation. The evolution equations derived using this scheme is the same as those derived using the hydrodynamical equations for thermal convection in Boussinesq fluids. Numerical and analytical studies of this model show that convective rolls appear as the Rayleigh number R is raised above its critical value R _c. Further increase of Rayleigh number generates rolls in the perpendicular directions as well, and we obtain a dynamic asymmetric square pattern. This pattern is due to Hopf bifurcation. There are two sets of limit cycles corresponding to the two competing asymmetric square patterns. When the Rayleigh number is increased further, the limit cycles become unstable simultaneously, and chaotic motion sets in. The onset of chaos is via intermittent route. The trajectories wander for quite a long time almost periodically before jumping irregularly to one of the two ghost limit cycles.     

Lattice Boltzmann method for nanofluid flow in a porous cavity with heat sources and magnetic field

In this article, Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) has been applied to investigate the influences of magnetic field and heat sources on water based nanofluid natural convection inside a porous cavity with three square heat sources. Koo–Kleinstreuer–Li (KKL) model is applied to study Brownian motion impact on nanofluid flow. Effects of Rayleigh number (Ra), Darcy number (Da), nanofluid volume fraction (ϕ), and Hartmann number (Ha) on heat transfer characteristics are analyzed. From the obtained results we observe a decrease in the temperature gradient with increasing Ha; while quite the opposite effect is true with increasing Da and Ra. In the absence of magnetic field, for higher values of Darcy and Rayleigh numbers, thermal plumes are generated and the temperature gradient is enhanced. Moreover, small eddies are generated near the vertical centerline. However, in the presence of magnetic field, the number of thermal plumes decreases.     

On the stability of one-dimensional diffusion flames established between plane,parallel, porous walls

A one-dimensional, non-premixed flame stability analysis is undertaken.Oscillatory and cellular flame instabilities are identified by a careful studyof the numerically calculated eigenvalues of the linearized system of equations. The numerical investigation details the critical locations for changes in flame behaviour, as well as the critical values of variousparameters that affect flame stability. A critical Lewis number, greaterthan unity, is identified as the value where unstable oscillations maybegin to appear (Le?>?Le _c) and for which cellular flames can exist(Le?<?Le _c). Some prior discussions are clarified regarding theaforementioned critical values, as well as the role of convection inproducing flame instabilities. The methodology of the stability analysis isdiscussed in detail.     

Relaxation on the energy method for the transient Rayleigh-Bénard convection

The onset of buoyancy-driven instability in initially quiescent fluid layers having the various boundary conditions is analyzed by using the energy method. New energy stability equation is derived under the Boussinesq approximation and the relative stability concept. The predicted critical conditions are compared with the previous results based on the conventional energy method. The stability limits which are related to the onset time of instabilities are presented as a function of the Rayleigh number Ra and the Prandtl number Pr. The present stability results predict that the onset time of convective instability decreases with increasing Ra and Pr. For the case of high Ra, the onset time of the instability is relatively insensitive to the boundary conditions of the upper boundaries.     

Three-dimensional free convection MHD flow in a vertical channel through a porous medium with heat source and chemical reaction

An analysis is made to study the three-dimensional MHD free convection flow in a vertical channel through a porous medium with heat source and chemical reaction. The flow phenomenon is characterized by magnetic parameters (M), Darcy number (K _p ), Reynolds number (R _e ), source parameter (S), Grashof number for heat transfer (G _r ), Grashof number for mass transfer (G _c ), Prandtl number (P _r ), Schmidt number (S _c ), and chemical reaction parameter (K _c ). Approximate solutions of the velocity, temperature, and concentration are obtained using a perturbation technique. The effect of these parameters on the velocity, temperature and concentrations distribution is discussed and some interesting results are presented.     

Scaling and excitation of combined convection in a rapidly rotating plane layer

The optimum (to my mind) scaling of the combined thermal and compositional convection in a rapidly rotating plane layer is proposed.This scaling follows from self-consistent estimates of typical physical quantities. Similarity coefficients are introduced for the ratio convection dissipation/convection generation (s) and the ratio thermal convection/compositional convection (r). The third new and most important coefficient δ is the ratio of the characteristic size normal to the axis of rotation to the layer thickness. The faster the rotation, the lower δ. In the case of the liquid Earth core, δ ~ 10^–3 substitutes for the generally accepted Ekman number (E ~ 10^–15) and s ~ 10^–6 substitutes for the inverse Rayleigh number 1/Ra ~ 10^–30. It is found that, at turbulent transport coefficients, number s and the Prandtl number are on the order of unity for any objects and δ is independent of transport coefficients. As a result of expansion in powers of δ, an initially 3D system of six variables is simplified to an almost 2D system of four variables without δ. The problem of convection excitation in the main volume is algebraically solved and this problem for critical values is analytically solved. Dispersion relations and general expressions for critical wavenumbers, numbers s (which determine Rayleigh numbers), other critical parameters, and asymptotic solutions are derived. Numerical estimates are made for the liquid cores in the planets that resemble the Earth. Further possible applications of the results obtained are proposed for the interior of planets, moons, their oceans, stars, and experimental objects.     

On the high temperature staggered susceptibility of Heisenberg model antiferromagnetics

The critical ordering temperature, T _c′, for the antiferromagnetic Heisenberg model is investigated on the basis of the high temperature expansion for the staggered susceptibility. For the simple cubic and body-centred cubic lattices, it appears that

where q is the lattice coordination number, S the spin value and T _c the corre-sponding ferromagnetic Curie point. A possible counter argument asserting T _c′ ? T _c is discussed at some length.     

Low-Prandtl-number Rayleigh-Bénard convection with stress-free boundaries

Results of direct numerical simulations on Rayleigh-Bénard convection in low-Prandtl-number convection with stress-free horizontal boundaries are presented. Simulations are done in a three dimensional rectangular simulation box of dimensions L _x × L _y × 1. Instabilities and the corresponding fluid patterns near onset of convection are investigated by varying the horizontal aspect ratio η = L _y /L _x in a range 1 ≤ η ≤ 4. Fluid patterns are complex and unsteady at the instability onset for η ≥ 2. They consist of wavy rolls, rhombic patterns and oblique wavy rolls. The patterns near onset are time periodic for η < 2. We observe periodic wavy rolls for η = 4 / 3. Homoclinic bifurcations are observed for η = 1 for 0 ≤ Pr ≤ 0.03. We observe spontaneous breaking of a single limit cycle in two and again spontaneous merging of two limit cycles into one in a simulation box with η = 1, as the reduced Rayleigh number r = Ra/R a _c is raised at a fixed value of Pr. The effect of Prandtl number on the homoclinic bifurcations is also investigated. We also present a low-dimensional model, which captures the instability sequence quite accurately for η = 1.     

Type IIB 2-form fields and gauge coupling constant of 4D ${\cal N}=2$ super QCD

We study the relation between the Type IIB (NSNS and RR) 2-form fields and the (complex) gauge coupling constant of the 4D SU(N _c ) super Yang-Mills theory with N _f fundamental matter particles. We start from the analysis of the D2-brane world-volume theory with heavy N _c quarks on the N _f D6 supergravity background. After a sequence of T- and S-dualities, we obtain the (generalized) 2-forms in the configuration with N _c D5-branes wrapping on a vanishing two-cycle under the influence of the background. These 2-forms show the same behavior as the gauge coupling constant of the 4D super QCD. The background reduces to the orbifold in the twelve-dimensional space-time formally realized by introducing the two parameters as additional space coordinates. The 10D gravity dual is suggested as the 2D flip in this twelve-dimensional space-time. In the case of N _f = 2N _c , this gravity dual becomes AdS₅ x S⁵/Z₂ with a D3-charge which depends on the constant generalized NSNS 2-form. This is the result expected from the M-theory QCD configuration. Based on the known exact result, we also discuss this configuration after including non-perturbative effects.Received: 2 May 2003, Revised: 21 July 2003, Published online: 19 September 2003