NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF TWO-PHASE FLUID FLOW AND HEAT TRANSFER IN POROUS MEDIA HEATED FROM THE SIDE

Abstract

A numerical investigation is presented for heat transfer and fluid flow mechanisms of two-phase fluid in a side-heated porous enclosure. Conservation equations formulated for two-phase mixtures are used, and results obtained compare well with experimental data. Steady state and transient temperature distribution and fluid motion were studied for a wide range of parameters. These parameters include Rayleigh number, imposed side heat flux on the vertical wall, and temperature and fluid velocity at the bottom boundary. Results indicate that an increase in the imposed side heat flux or a decrease in permeability of the medium leads to an increase in the speed of fluid motion in the enclosure and an increase in the amount of liquid converted to vapor. For certain values of the above parameters, bicellular convective flow of the fluid is observed.