A numerical study of mixed convection in a two-sided lid-driven tall cavity containing a heated triangular block for non-Newtonian power-law fluids

Abstract

The study of hydrodynamics and thermal characteristics inside a lid-driven cavity has been one of the most captivating problems in computational fluid dynamics. In this numerical work, the mixed convection phenomenon inside a two-dimensional, tall lid-driven cavity with top and bottom lids moving in opposite directions, +x and -x, respectively, has been explored for non-Newtonian power-law fluids. The cavity contains a uniformly heated equilateral triangular obstacle at its geometric center. Numerical experimentation is performed for a range of flow governing parameters, such as aspect ratio (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75), Prandtl number (1, 50, and 100) Richardson number (0.1, 1, and 10), power-law index (0.6-1.4) and Grashof number of 10(4). The physical perceptions of the cavity are explained by using streamline and isotherm contours. The fluid movement is limited adjacent to the moving wall concerning the Richardson number at the lower Prandtl number. With a rise in the aspect ratio of the cavity, the flow-pattern becomes more dispersed inside the cavity. Heat transfer enhancement is observed at a lower aspect ratio equal to 0.25.