To read this content please select one of the options below:

Numerical investigation and optimization of mixed convection in ventilated square cavity filled with nanofluid of different inlet and outlet port

Kamel Milani Shirvan (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran)
Mojtaba Mamourian (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran)
R. Ellahi (Department of Mathematics and Statistics, IIUI, Islamabad, Pakistan and Department of Mathematics Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Madinah Munawwarah, Saudi Arabia)

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow

ISSN: 0961-5539

Article publication date: 4 September 2017

192

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the optimal conditions of the mixed convection in a ventilated square cavity filled with Cu-water nanofluid using the Taguchi method. The paper aims to discuss diverse issues affecting the said model.

Design/methodology/approach

The numerical solutions of nonlinear coupled equations are developed by means of the Taguchi method. The Taguchi method is used as an effective way to optimize the design process engineering tests.

Findings

The governing equations are discretized using a finite volume method and solved with semi-implicit method for pressure linked equations (SIMPLE) algorithm. The effect of Richardson number (0.01-10), the volume fraction of nanofluid (0-5 per cent), distance of inlet port position from bottom wall of the cavity (0-0.9 H) and distance of outlet port position from top wall of the cavity (0-0.9 H) as effective parameters are analyzed across four levels. This analysis is done for fixed Grashof number 104. The results show that the mean Nusselt number almost decreases by an increase in the Richardson number, volume fraction of nanofluid, position of the inlet port and position of the outlet port. It is found that the cavity with distance of inlet port position from bottom wall of the cavity 0 and distance of outlet port position from upper wall of the cavity 0.9 H at the Richardson number 0.01 and the volume fraction 3 per cent is the optimal design for heat transfer.

Originality/value

As far as the authors know, this model has been investigated for the first time.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

R. Ellahi is grateful to PCST, Ministry of Science and Technology Pakistan for awarding him 7th top most productive Scientist of Pakistan Award in Category A.

Citation

Milani Shirvan, K., Mamourian, M. and Ellahi, R. (2017), "Numerical investigation and optimization of mixed convection in ventilated square cavity filled with nanofluid of different inlet and outlet port", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 27 No. 9, pp. 2053-2069. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-08-2016-0317

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited

Related articles