Turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a cubical container filled with cold water near its maximum density. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huang, Xiao-Jie; Li, You-Rong; Zhang, Li; Hu, Yu-Peng
• Is Part Of: International journal of heat and mass transfer. Volume 127(2018)Part C
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 31
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection -- Density inversion phenomenon -- Large eddy simulation -- Flow pattern -- Heat transfer; Heat -- Transmission -- Periodicals; Mass transfer -- Periodicals; Chaleur -- Transmission -- Périodiques; Transfert de masse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 621.4022
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2018.08.044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-9310

Abstract

Highlights: Turbulent R-B convection of cold water in a cube is investigated by LES. Formation mechanism of LSC at different density inversion parameters is revealed. Evolution of the flow pattern structure with Rayleigh number is exhibited. The dependence of average Nusselt number on Ra and Θ m is achieved. Abstract: In order to understand the effects of Rayleigh number and the density inversion parameter on the flow structures, the turbulent characteristics and the heat transfer ability, a series of large eddy simulations on turbulent Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a cubical container with cold water near its maximum density were carried out. Results indicate that the large scale circulation (LSC) moves along the diagonal plane at small and medium density inversion parameters. However, at a large density inversion parameter, the LSC disappears. With the increase of the density inversion parameter, there are an increase of temperature in the bulk region and a decrease of penetration depth. Furthermore, with the increase of Rayleigh number, the deformation of isothermal surfaces becomes intense until the plumes are observed. At the same time, the scale of vortices reduces and the fluctuation of Nusselt number amplifies with the increase of Rayleigh number. Based on the numerical results, the dependence of Nusselt number on Rayleigh number and the density inversion parameter is achieved within a satisfactory uncertainty.