Abstract
A lattice Boltzmann study has been performed to analyze the combined force and free convection, known as mixed convection, flow and heat transfer process in a lid-driven triangular enclosure. The thermal lattice Boltzmann method (TLBM), based on the Boltzmann equation (BE), has been used as an alternative to traditional methods based on the Navier–Stokes equations for this study. The mixed convection parameter, called the Richardson number (Ri), provides an important measurement of the thermal natural convection forces relative to the mechanically induced lid-driven forced convection effects. The results are presented as velocity and temperature profiles as well as stream function and temperature contours for a wide range of dimensionless parameter (Ri) and Reynolds number (Re). Typical results for the skin friction and heat transfer on a moving lid are also presented. It is found that both the average skin friction and heat transfer rate decreased and increased slightly with increasing Ri. However, they are found to change significantly with increasing Reynolds number. Finally, the simulation results have been compared with published numerical results and the agreement is found to be very reasonable and satisfactory.