Natural convection in a differentially heated cavity with a square obstruction on the sidewall

Abstract

Natural convection in a differentially heated cavity with a square obstruction placed in the middle of the hot wall is investigated numerically. The results demonstrate that, firstly, the thermal boundary layer flow, blocked by the obstruction, forms a lower intrusion front, which then detaches from the hot wall, bypasses the obstruction, and reattaches to the thermal boundary layer. While the reattachment occurs, a complicated flow with circulations is induced, and the heat transfer through the hot wall is significantly enhanced.