Title: The humidity effect on turbulent convection in a vertical channel

Authors: C. Muresan, R. Bennacer, C. Menezo, J. Vareilles, S. Julien

Addresses: Centre Scientifique et Technique du Batiment (CSTB), 84 av. Jean Jaures, 77447 Marne la Valee, France. ' LEEVAM-LEEE, University of Cergy-Pontoise 95031, France. ' Centre Thermique de Lyon (CETHIL, CNRS/INSA Lyon/UCBL), Domaine Scientifique de La Doua, 20 av. A. Einstein, 69621 Villeurbanne Cedex, France. ' Centre Thermique de Lyon (CETHIL, CNRS/INSA Lyon/UCBL), Domaine Scientifique de La Doua, 20 av. A. Einstein, 69621 Villeurbanne Cedex, France. ' Centre Thermique de Lyon (CETHIL, CNRS/INSA Lyon/UCBL), Domaine Scientifique de La Doua, 20 av. A. Einstein, 69621 Villeurbanne Cedex, France

Abstract: A numerical investigation of turbulent convective flows transporting humidity in a vertical heated channel is carried out. The governing equations associated to κ-ε low Reynolds models are solved in a two-dimensional domain using a control volume method and the SIMPLER algorithm for the P-V coupling. The analysis focuses on the humidity effect on the flow and resulting heat transfer. The considered wet wall induces humidity effect and modifies the obtained chimney effect. The thermal and humidity buoyancy act in opposite direction, so the resulting mass flow decreases. The water evaporation modifies significantly the temperature field and the apparent heat transfer.

Keywords: humidity scalar transport; natural convection; vertical channels; heat transfer; numerical simulation; buoyancy; water evaporation; mass convection; turbulent free convection.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2006.010777

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2006 Vol.6 No.6, pp.357 - 362

Published online: 30 Aug 2006 *

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