Lattice Boltzmann Method Based Simulation of Natural Convection in Partially Open Enclosure

A thermal lattice Boltzmann method-based analysis was performed to numerically investigate the heat transfer by natural convection from an enclosure with a large vertical side opening. The height of the opening was less than the enclosure height and the vertical wall opposite to the opening was maintained at constant temperature. A parametric study was carried out for different values of Rayleigh number (Ra) ranging from 103 to 105 with air as the working fluid for three opening sizes and three opening locations. The Prandtl number was fixed at 0.71 and the enclosure aspect ratio was also fixed at 2 in all calculations. With Boussinesq approximation, the temperature distribution and stream functions in the enclosure were predicted. The profile of the normal velocity component at the opening location was determined. The opening size affects the stratification and recirculation pattern within the enclosure. The average Nusselt number at the heated wall was determined for all cases. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj).