Title: Simulation of mixed convection in a channel partially filled with porous media

Authors: Samia Jaballah, Rachid Bennacer, Habib Sammouda, Ali Belghith

Addresses: Faculty of Sciences of Monastir, Department of Physics, LETTM Laboratory, 5019 Monastir, Tunisia. ' LEEVAM Laboratory, 5, mail Gay Lussac, Neuville sur Oise, 95031, Cergy-Pontoise, France. ' Faculty of Sciences of Monastir, Department of Physics, LETTM Laboratory, 5019 Monastir, Tunisia. ' Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Department of Physics, LETTM, El Manar 2092 Tunis, Tunisia

Abstract: We present a numerical study for mixed convection in a two-dimensional horizontal plan channel containing both fluid and porous layers, heated by a constant flux on the top surfaces. The finite volume method and the iterative SIMPLER algorithm are used. The thermal field, streamlines and local Nusselt numbers are analysed for a wide range of the Darcy numbers (1 < Da < 10-5), and for different values of the thermal conductivity ratio, Rk. The results identify the limit of mixed convection and the effect of porous media characteristics (permeability, conductivity) on flow structure and heat transfer.

Keywords: mixed convection; porous media; hybrid collector; heat transfer; numerical simulation; permeability; conductivity; flow structure; air flow cooling; horizontal channels.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2006.010774

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2006 Vol.6 No.6, pp.335 - 341

Published online: 30 Aug 2006 *

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