A Study on Mixed Convection Heat Transfer in Lid-Driven L-Shaped Cavity using COMSOL

Abstract

This study investigates the mixed convection heat transfer in a lid
driven L-shaped cavity by using COMSOL software. The dimensionless 
equations for mass, momentum, and energy were solved to produce 
streamlines and isotherms. The analysis was conducted using fixed values 
of Reynold number (Re), Richardson number (Ri), and Prandtl number (Pr). 
The results showed that forced convection is dominant in the upper 
part of the cavity since it is where the lid motion creates a strong 
recirculating flow. Meanwhile, in the lower region, it seems that there 
is a lack of streamlines because of the shape of the cavity and weak 
buoyancy. For isotherms, there is significant heat transfer at the 
bottom cavity shown by the closely spaced isotherm lines. The 
buoyancy forces generated by the heated wall caused warm air to rise, 
resulting in curving isotherms that show the interaction of natural and 
forced convection.