Effect of Segmental Heating on Mixed Convection Aiding Flow in a Vertical Porous Annulus

Mixed convection flow in a vertical porous annulus embedded with fluid saturated porous medium for aiding is investigated. The annulus is imposed by 20%, 35% and 50% heater length at the bottom, mid and top sections of the annulus respectively. Darcy law with thermal non-equilibrium approach is considered. The governing partial differential equations are converted to simple algebraic equations using Finite Element Method ( FEM). The effects of Peclet number Pe and conductivity ratio Kr on heat transfer and fluid flow behaviour are examined and it is found that for lower conductivity ratio, the heat transfer rate was higher with the increase in the Peclet number Pe, whereas this trend reversed when thermal conductivity ratio Kr is increased.