Finite element analysis for free convection with in porous trapezoidal cavity

Natural convection analyze in porous trapezoidal enclosures have many important energy-related applications such as solar and geothermal energy sectors. A numerical study of thermal mixing and heat distribution during steady laminar natural convective flows within the porous trapezoidal enclosure undergoing various radiation effects was investigated in this study using the Darcy model and the Finite Element Approach. The lower and upper walls of the trapezoidal enclosure are kept constant temperature at T-h and T-c respectively, while the walls adjacent to the vertical are thermally insulated. Simulations have been carried out for the various Rayleigh numbers 10(1)-10(3) and the radiation factors 1, 5 and 10. Enhanced convection at high radiation factor significantly affects the distribution of heat energy, which is clearly illustrated by the high local Nusselt numbers at Ra = 10(3). Isothermal heating of the walls with the radiation factor was found to increase the thermal mixing and heat distribution. Significant changes in temperature contours and energy streamlines have been observed for increasing Rayleigh numbers. Copyright (C) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.