Numerical Simulation of Three-Dimensional Mixed Convection in an AIr-Cooled Cavity

The numerical solution of the fluid mechanics and heat transfer for three-dimensional mixed convection in an air-cooled cavity is presented. The mathematical model includes the system of five partial differential equations of continuity, linear momentum and energy, solved by the finite volume method. Calculations were performed for air with Pr = 0.71, flowing with a Reynolds numbers in the range 1 ≤ Re ≤ 500, for Richardson numbers: 0 ≤ Ri ≤ 18. The comparison between 3-D and 2-D simulations shows that a 3-D model is needed to capture the fluid mechanics for Ri = 10 when 10 ≤ Re ≤ 250 and to calculate the global Nusselt number when Re = 500 for Ri < 1.