Lattice Boltzmann simulation of natural convection heat transfer in nanofluids

► Heat transfer enhancement in a cavity using nanofluid is studied by LBM. ► It is found that LBM is a suitable approach for simulating nanofluid. ► The type of nanofluid is a key factor for heat transfer enhancement. ► With increasing φ, the results show a heat transfer enhancement at any Ra number. ► It is found that the effects of solid volume fraction for Cu are stronger than Al2O3.