Combined Mixed Convection-Radiation Heat Transfer Within a Vertical Channel: Investigation of Flow Reversal

Abstract

The present work deals with the numerical analysis of combined mixed convection-radiation heat transfer within a vertical channel, taking into account all radiative properties. The finite-volume method is used for solving the governing equations. The radiative transfer equation is solved by the discrete ordinates method, adopting its S ₆ quadrature scheme. The main objective is to investigate the influence of radiative parameters, namely the conduction-radiation parameter and optical thickness, on the occurrence of flow reversal. Results are presented as the profiles of temperature and velocity, centerline velocity, streamlines of flow, radiative and total wall heat fluxes, and bulk temperature for various values of radiative parameters. It is found that the occurrence of flow reversal is considerably affected by the radiation parameters.