Mixed convection in a rectangular enclosure with temperature-dependent viscosity and viscous dissipation

Abstract

The problem of laminar opposing mixed convection inside a two-dimensional rectangular enclosure with asymmetrical heating is studied numerically using the vorticity-stream function formulation of the Navier-Stokes and energy equations. The model considers viscous dissipation and viscosity is assumed to vary with temperature according to an exponential relation, while other fluid properties are considered constant. Numerical experiments have been performed for fixed values of the geometrical parameters, Reynolds number of Re= 20, Prandtl number of Pr= 3, 060, a range of Richardson numbers from 0 to 10, and Brinkman numbers ranging between 0 to 40. Streamlines, temperature contours, maximum fluid temperature and average Nusselt number at both walls are obtained. The results show that combined viscous dissipation and variable fluid viscosity can be important in the overall flow and heat transfer characteristics.