Mixed convection heat transfer from an in-line row of square cylinders in cross-flow at low Reynolds number

Abstract

This article presents a two-dimensional numerical study on the unsteady laminar mixed convection heat transfer from a row of five in-line isothermal square cylinders placed in an unconfined medium and subjected to cross-flow of a Newtonian fluid at low Reynolds number (Re = 125). The hydrodynamic and thermal transport phenomena are captured for the separation ratios (spacing to cylinder size ratio, s/d) of 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4. The mixed convection heat transfer is studied for Richardson numbers (Ri) ranging from 0 to 3 with a fixed Prandtl number (Pr = 0.71). Numerical calculations are performed by using a PISO algorithm-based finite volume solver in a collocated grid system. The instantaneous vorticity fields along with the isotherm patterns are systematically presented and discussed for different separation ratios and Richardson numbers. Depending on the engineering application, the temperature difference between the surface and the free stream could vary to make buoyancy of primary importance, entailing major modification of the flow field. Additionally, the instantaneous and mean drag and lift coefficients, Strouhal numbers, and mean Nusselt numbers are determined and discussed.