Lattice Boltzmann method for natural convection in a square cavity with a heated chip

Abstract

The buoyancy-driven gas flow (air) confined within an enclosed square-section cavity with isothermal walls is investigated numerically using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The right side of the enclosure is partially heated by a hot chip, while, the left one is completely kept at cold temperature. However, the horizontal walls and apart from the chip are kept adiabatic. The buoyancy effect induced by the gravity acceleration, related to the convection force, is evaluated through the Rayleigh number in the range of 103-106(laminar regime). Wall heating-ratio effect on the flow properties such as temperature and velocity profiles. The heat transfer is analyzed through the Nusselt number for different chip lengths. Results show that the wall heat ratio has an interesting effect on flow behavior. Results show good agreement with those of full natural convection simulation in the literature and their experimental data.