Mixed convection heat transfer in a partial porous layered split lid-driven wavy wall cavity with Cu–H <sub>2</sub> O nanofluid
Rana Ali Hussein, Ahmed M. Hassan, Rafel H. Hameed
Abstract
This numerical study investigates mixed convection heat transfer in a two-dimensional irregularly-shaped enclosure with a nanofluid-saturated porous medium. The enclosure has wavy vertical walls, a centered triangular block, and a lid split into two regions moving in opposite directions. Transport equations are solved using the finite element method under varied Darcy (10−5 to 10−1), Reynolds (50 to 200), Richardson (0.1 to 10), amplitude (0 to 0.2), and nanoparticle volume fraction (0 to 0.1) numbers. Results demonstrate the combined effects of forced convection from lid motion and natural convection from temperature differences significantly enhance heat transfer. The wavy walls induce secondary flows and periodic disruption of thermal boundary layers. Increasing Darcy number enables deeper penetration into the porous block. Copper nanoparticles incrementally improve conductive heat transfer. Richardson number effects are more prominent at higher Reynolds numbers as buoyancy forces influence vertical convection. This study provides novel insights into synergistically utilizing wavy geometries, nanofluids, porous media, and active pumping for optimizing heat transfer in irregular enclosures for electronics cooling and thermal management.