Buoyancy-induced flow and convective heat transfer in an inclined arc-shape enclosure

Numerical and experimental investigations have been conducted to study the flow and heat transfer characteristics for the buoyancy-induced flow inside an inclined arc-shape enclosure. Mathematical model in form of a stream function-vorticity formulation representing the laws of conservation in mass, momentum, and energy is expressed in a curvilinear coordinate frame and solved by a finite-volume discretization method. Heat transfer and flow pattern are predicted at various Grashof numbers and inclination angles. Meanwhile, an experimental system is developed and a flow-visualization technique using smoke is employed to observe the flow pattern. Results show that only when the Grashof number is higher than 105, the increase in natural convection heat transfer becomes appreciable. Both the strength and the pattern of the buoyancy-induced vortex are found to be greatly dependent on the inclination angle. The range of the Grashof number considered in this study is up to 107 and the inclination angle is varied from 0 to π.