Multiple-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann simulation of natural convection with multiple heat sources in a rectangular cavity

Natural convection and heat transfer in square cavity with multiple heat sources was investigated through a Multiple-Relaxation-Time (MRT) collision model and Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) in the current work. The MRT-LBM model was verified by former experiment and numerical findings with different Ra numbers from 103 to 105, which proved the MRT-LBM model is effective to handle the flow and transfer. The heat transfer that developed inside the cavity was analyzed under different width, height and lateral offset of heat source in this paper. Moreover, the change of spacing between two symmetrically distributed heat sources was discussed. The results showed that the heat exchange efficiency was augmented by increasing width, height and spacing of heater, but it was reduced by increasing lateral offset. Specifically, the Nusselt number of upper-wall decreased by increasing height of heat source, and the left and right walls appeared better heat exchange efficiency by height increased. Additionally, the lateral position had the notable influence on the left wall surface of heat source, and the optimum heat exchange efficiency of heat source’s left wall existed in the condition of small lateral offset.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author