Numerical Study of Three-Dimensional Oscillatory Natural Convection at Low Prandtl Number in Rectangular Enclosures

Numerical investigations are presented for three-dimensional natural convection at low Prandtl numbers (Pr) from 0 to 0.027 in rectangular enclosures with differentially heated vertical walls. Computations are carried out for the enclosures with aspect ratios (length/height) 2 and 4, and width ratios (width/height) ranging from 0.5 to 4.2. Dependence of the onset of oscillation on the Prandtl number, the aspect ratio, and the width ratio is investigated. Furthermore, oscillatory, three-dimensional flow structure is clarified. The structure is characterized by some longitudinal vortices (rolls) as well as cellular pattern.