Magnetic Field Effect on Mixed Convection Heat Transfer in a Lid-Driven Rectangular Cavity

Abstract

This study aims to analyze numerically the fluid flow and heat transfer in a two-dimensional (2D) rectangular cavity in the presence of magnetic field. The bottom and top cavity walls are kept at Th and Tc respectively, where Th> Tc. Meanwhile, the vertical walls are insulated. The top wall is moving at a constant speed in the positive horizontal direction. The dimensionless governing equations are solved using the finite volume method and the SIMPLE algorithm. The influence of Hartmann number (Ha) (ranges from 0 to 60) on the thermal characteristics and fluid flow is analyzed. The simulated streamlines and isotherm plots, as well as the variation of local Nusselt numbers, are then presented. It is found that the Ha has a significant effect on the fluid flow structure and temperature field. As Ha increases, the flow convection is attenuated and therefore the heat transfer rate decreases.