Experimental observations of the thermal flow around a square obstruction on a vertical wall in a differentially heated cavity

Xu, Feng, Patterson, John C., and Lei, Chengwang (2006) Experimental observations of the thermal flow around a square obstruction on a vertical wall in a differentially heated cavity. Experiments in Fluids, 40 (3). pp. 364-371.

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Abstract

The transient thermal boundary layer flow around a square obstruction placed at the middle of the hot wall in a differentially heated cavity is visualized using a shadowgraph technique. The results show that the thermal boundary layer flow, which is blocked by the obstruction, firstly forms an intrusion head under the obstruction (the lower intrusion head). Subsequently, the lower intrusion head bypasses the obstruction and reattaches to the down-stream boundary. During the reattachment process, a more complicated flow is induced, and eventually both the lower intrusion head and the thermal boundary layer destabilize. After the lower intrusion head is convected away, the thermal boundary layer flow re-stabilizes. At the quasi-steady state, the thermal boundary layer forms a double-layer structure, which is split into two sections by the obstruction. It is demonstrated that both the transient processes and the quasi-steady state flow structures of the thermal boundary layer are significantly altered by the obstruction in comparison with the case without the obstruction.

Item ID: 4188
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1432-1114
Keywords: natural convection; fluid dynamics; buoyancy; boundary layer
Date Deposited: 24 Sep 2009 02:38
FoR Codes: 09 ENGINEERING > 0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering > 091504 Fluidisation and Fluid Mechanics @ 33%
09 ENGINEERING > 0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering > 091505 Heat and Mass Transfer Operations @ 33%
09 ENGINEERING > 0915 Interdisciplinary Engineering > 091508 Turbulent Flows @ 34%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970102 Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciences @ 80%
96 ENVIRONMENT > 9609 Land and Water Management > 960999 Land and Water Management of Environments not elsewhere classified @ 20%
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