New Thermal Lattice Boltzmann Method for Modeling Heat Transfer Problems Considering Temperature‐Dependent Properties

Several engineering problems involve the need to model conjugate heat transfer processes considering the temperature‐dependence of the material properties. Consequently, a simulation tool capable of modeling this process is of great interest. In this context, the present work proposes a thermal lattice Boltzmann method (TLBM) for modeling the conjugate heat transfer process considering temperature‐dependent properties. For this task, we employ the traditional TLBM adding the non‐recovered terms of the macroscopic energy conservation equation at the source term. First, two benchmark problems are solved, validating the model with analytical solutions: a one‐dimensional heat conduction between two solids and the forced convection between two fluids with a flat interface. Next, we simulate the forced convection into a parallel‐plates channel, comparing the developed Nusselt value with the expected one from the literature. Then, we study a 2D approach of a counter‐current heat exchanger, investigating the impact of the solid interface thickness, as well as the impact of its material. Finally, a natural convection problem is investigated, comparing the numerical results from literature correlations. All results show that the proposed method can handle conjugate heat transfer problems with temperature‐dependent properties with good precision.