Thermal and Fluid Dynamic Behavior of a Horizontal Channel With Adiabatic Moving Lower Plate
In this study a numerical investigation of mixed convection in air in horizontal parallel walled channels with moving lower plate is carried out. The moving lower plate has a constant velocity and it is adiabatic, whereas the upper one is heated at uniform heat flux. The effects of horizontal channel height, heat flux and moving plate velocity are analyzed. Results in terms of temperature and stream function fields are given and the mass flow rate per unit of length and divided by the dynamic viscosity is reported as a function of Reynolds number based on the moving plate velocity. For stationary condition of lower plate, a typical C–loop inside the horizontal channel is detected. Different flow motions are observed in the channel and the two reservoirs, depending on the heat flux values and the distance between the heated upper stationary plate and lower adiabatic moving plate. The dimensionless induced mass flow rate presents different increase between the Reynolds number lower or greater than 1000.