Mixed convection from two thermal sources in a vertical porous layer

In this paper the steady mixed convection flow adjacent to a vertical surface embedded in a fluid-saturated porous medium, on which two isolated thermal sources are located is investigated theoretically. The thermal sources are taken as long planar sources of finite height and the resulting two-dimensional flow is numerically studied using the finite volume method. The nature and the basic characteristics of the mixed aiding as well as mixed opposing flows that arise are investigated using the Darcy law model. The governing parameters are the Rayleigh number, Péclet number, separation distance between heated elements, their lengths and heat flux ratio in additional to the external flow direction. These parameters are varied over wide ranges and their effect on the heat transfer characteristics is studied in detail.