Optimal plate spacing for mixed convection from an array of vertical isothermal plates

Numerical simulations of mixed convection of air between vertical isothermal surfaces were conducted in order to determine the optimum spacing corresponding to the peak heat flux transferred from an array of isothermal, parallel plates cooled by mixed convection. Comparisons between approximate analytical solutions for natural and forced convection are first discussed. It is shown that the agreement is fairly good. From the computations carried out for aiding mixed convection by assuming a pressure drop at the outlet section rather than a constant flow rate, it is numerically predicted that the optimum spacing is smaller than those for pure natural or pure forced convection. This spacing is determined according to the pressure drop. As a sample, we considered an array of 10 cm -height, isothermal surfaces at temperature Th = 340 K with air as the working fluid entering into the channels at T0 = 300 K. The increases in heat flux corresponding to the optimal spacing are discussed for outlet pressure drops ranging from −0.1 Pa to −1 Pa. Such a range covers the entire laminar mixed convection regime for this specific application.

► Pressure boundary conditions for aiding mixed convection.
► A methodology to handle inlet thermal boundary conditions.
► A collocated finite volume method with proof of second-order accuracy.
► Comparisons between wall heat fluxes and enthalpy transport.
► Optimal plate spacing for mixed convection in a vertical array of isothermal plates.