Title: Entropy generation and mixed convection in a horizontal channel with an open cavity

Authors: Fatma Zamzari; Zouhaier Mehrez; Afif El Cafsi; Ali Belghith; Patrick Le Quéré

Addresses: Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Laboratory of Energy, Heat and Mass Transfer (LETTM), Department of Physics, El Manar University, El Manar 2092, Tunisia ' Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Laboratory of Energy, Heat and Mass Transfer (LETTM), Department of Physics, El Manar University, El Manar 2092, Tunisia ' Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Laboratory of Energy, Heat and Mass Transfer (LETTM), Department of Physics, El Manar University, El Manar 2092, Tunisia ' Faculty of Sciences of Tunis, Laboratory of Energy, Heat and Mass Transfer (LETTM), Department of Physics, El Manar University, El Manar 2092, Tunisia ' Computer Science Laboratory for Mechanics and Engineering Sciences (LIMSI), CNRS Bat. 508, B.P. 133, 91403 Orsay Cedex, France

Abstract: This work investigates numerically the heat transfer and the entropy generation of mixed convection flow in an open cavity heated from below with uniform temperature distribution. The governing equations have been solved by using the finite volume method. The effects of the pertinent parameters, namely Reynolds number, Richardson number and aspect ratio of the cavity on the flow field, temperature distribution, velocity profiles, local and average Nusselt number, average entropy generation and Bejan number have been presented and analysed. Results show that the flow behaviour inside the cavity, heat transfer rates and entropy generation are strongly affected by variations of the considered parameters.

Keywords: entropy generation; mixed convection flow; heat transfer; open cavities; horizontal channels; finite volume method; FVM; flow field; temperature distribution; velocity profiles; Nusselt number; Bejan number.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2015.069993

International Journal of Exergy, 2015 Vol.17 No.2, pp.219 - 239

Received: 18 Mar 2014
Accepted: 19 May 2014
Published online: 22 Jun 2015 *

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