Optimal Positioning of Strips for Heat Transfer Reduction within an Enclosure

Abstract

Heat transfer reduction capabilities of a vertical or a horizontal adiabatic partial partition fixed in a differentially heated cavity with insulated top and bottom walls are analyzed and compared. The effects of length and location of the partition is taken into account for aspect ratios from 1 to 4 and for Rayleigh numbers from 10³ to 10⁶. Different characteristics of square and higher aspect ratio cavities are compared and a comprehensive correlation of the heat transfer reduction is introduced, incorporating all the pertinent parameters. Based on our results, vertical baffles more efficiently reduce heat transfer, in most cases.

Notes

Numbers in parentheses are values at the boundaries and on the partition.

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