Numerical and Analytical Study of Reversed Flow and Heat Transfer in a Heated Vertical Duct

Both analytical and numerical calculations are performed to study the buoyancy effect on the reversed flow structure and heat transfer processes in a finite vertical duct with a height to spacing ratio of 12. One of the walls is heated uniformly and the opposite wall is adiabatic. Uniform air flow is assumed to enter the duct. In the ranges of the buoyancy parameter of interest here for both assisted and opposed convection, a reversed flow, which can be observed to initiate in the downstream close to the exit, propagates upstream as Gr/Re-2 increases. The increase in the Reynolds number has the effect of pushing the reversed flow downstream. Simple analytical models are developed to predict the penetration depth of the reversed flow for both assisted and opposed convection. The models can accurately predict the penetration depth when the transport process inside the channel is dominated by natural convection. Local and average Nusselt numbers at different buoyancy parameters are presented. Comparison with the experimental data published previously was also made and discussed. Good agreement confirms many of the numerical predictions despite simplifications of the numerical process made, such as two-dimensional and laminar flow assumptions.