Finite element-based evaluation on the role of various shaped containers (oil saturated porous media) for entropy generation versus heating efficiency involving thermal convection with identical heating

Abstract

Current work involves entropy generation studies within nine porous containers involving identical area for Pr_m = 155 (engine oil), $D{a}_m={10}^{-5}-{10}^{-2}$ at $R{a}_m={10}^6.$ The entropy generation maps for lesser values of Da_m depict that $S_{\theta }$ is dominant at the boundaries whereas $S_{\psi }$ is dominant at the central zone. On the other hand, for larger values of Da_m, $S_{\psi }$ is found to be dominant throughout the porous containers. Zones corresponding to $S_{\theta ,\mathit{max}}$ are found at the bottom corners of all porous containers due to the hot cold junction whereas zones corresponding to $S_{\psi ,\mathit{max}}$ vary with the shapes of porous containers. An energy efficient process corresponds to larger $\overline{N{u}_b},$ larger $\widehat{\theta }$ and lesser S_total. Containers with curved walls are found to be thermally efficient for thermal processing of engine oil saturated porous medium.