Heat transfer analysis of buoyancy-assisted mixed convection with asymmetric heating conditions

Experimental measurements and analysis of buoyancy-assisted mixed convection in a vertical square channel with asymmetric heating conditions are presented. Two opposite sides of the test section are heated in four designed heating models and the other two sides of the square channel are insulated. The Reynolds number is varied from 200 to 1 1 200 and the buoyancy parameter? Gr/Re-2, is varied from 0.02 to 200. The local heat transfer coefficient increases with increasing buoyancy parameter. Specifically, the Nusselt number ratio, Nu/Nu(0), is observed to be enhanced significantly with the increased turbulent mixing caused by more irregular heating conditions. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.