Numerical Study on Buoyancy Induced Flow in Enclosures Connected By Horizontal Vents

Kumar, Ravi and K, Venkatasubbaiah (2012) Numerical Study on Buoyancy Induced Flow in Enclosures Connected By Horizontal Vents. Masters thesis, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad.

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Abstract

The buoyancy-induced flow generated by a heat source such as fire in square enclosures connected by horizontal or ceiling vent has been studied numerically. A two-dimensional laminar and turbulent natural convection flow is investigated with the buoyancy term represented by the Boussinesq approximation. The physical model consists of two enclosures connected by horizontal vent with a finite-size of heat source located centrally on the bottom wall of enclosure. The effects of vent aspect ratio and Rayleigh number on flow field characteristics in enclosures are studied in detail. The results show a significant change in flow behavior for varying vent aspect ratio at a fixed Rayleigh number. A bidirectional and oscillating flow across the vent occurs due to buoyancy. The intensity of thermal plume increases and flow becomes chaotic in enclosures with increase in Rayleigh number. The thermal plume quickly enters to the top enclosure with increase in vent width and decrease in vent thickness.

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