Natural convection in C-shaped thermosyphon

Abstract

The present work is concerned with the numerical analysis of natural convection from a C-shaped thermosyphon. The system can be considered as a model for a Trombe wall in passive solar collectors and electronic cooling arrangements, and it has geophysical applications. The effect of Rayleigh number (1 x 10(3) to 1 x 10(7)) and aspect ratios of 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, and 10.0 is investigated far a fired Prandtl number (0.7). Local and average Nusselt numbers for heated and cold walls are discussed Mass advected by the buoyancy force is calculated and presented for the range of investigated parameters. The flow pattern and isotherm distribution in the gap between the wall and cover plate are presented and discussed.