Abstract
Laminar three dimensional flow and heat transfer in a nanofluid filled cavity with solid insert at the corners is analyzed computationaly by using finite volume method. Entropy generation is also presented from the obtained results of velocity and temperature values. In order to simulate nanofluids, an in-house numerical method was developed based on the solution of three dimensional solution of Navier–Stokes equations.Three cases are studied based on number and location of solid inserts. Effects of Rayleigh number (104≤Ra≤106), nanoparticle volume fraction (0≤φ≤0.15) and thermal conductivity ratio (0.01≤Rc≤100) are analyzed on natural convection and entropy generation. It is observed that a three dimensional solution brings a more understanding work for the study. Higher heat transfer and entropy generation are observed in the case of nanoparticle addition into base fluid. In any case, partitions can be used as a control element for heat and fluid flow and energy consumption.
•Natural convection in a nanofluid filled cubic cavity with solid insert at the corners is analyzed.•Entropy generation is obtained from the results of velocity and temperature values.•Addition of nanoparticle increases the entropy generation for all studied cases.•Three dimensional solution brings more understanding work for the study.•Entropy generation increases for the highest value of thermal conductivity.