Simulations of the natural convection in a side-heated cavity with a square obstruction on the sidewall

Abstract

The natural convection in a side-heated cavity with a square obstruction placed in the middle of the hot wall is investigated numerically. The results demonstrate that, firstly. the thenmll boundaIy layer flow, blocked by the obstruction. forms a head, and then the head 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.