Finite element simulation of hydromagnetic convective flow in an obstructed cavity

The hydromagnetic natural convective flow and heat transfer characteristics in a square cavity with a solid circular heated obstacle located at the center have been investigated numerically. The left vertical surface of the cavity is uniformly heated of temperature Tc and other three surfaces are adiabatic. The obstacle consists of constant heat Th. Under all circumstances the condition Th > Tc is maintained. The physical problem is represented mathematically by sets of governing equations and the developed mathematical model is solved by employing Galerkin weighted residual finite element simulation. The behavior of the fluid in the ranges of Prandtl number (0.073–2.73), Hartmann number (0–50) and Joule heating parameter (1–7) is explained in details. It is found that the flow and temperature fields are strongly dependent on the above stated parameters for the ranges considered. The variation of the average Nusselt number (Nu) for various Prandtl number (Pr) is also presented.