Lattice Boltzmann Method for simulation of magnetic field effect on hydrothermal behavior of nanofluid in a cubic cavity

• LBM is applied to solve the governing equations.
• Effect of magnetic field is studied in a cubic cavity.
• NuNu increases with increase of ϕϕ and RaRa.
• NuNu decreases with increase of HaHa.

In this study, Lattice Boltzmann Method is applied in order to simulate the magnetic field effect on nanofluid flow and convective heat transfer in a cubic cavity. The enclosure is filled with ​Al2O3–water nanofluid. Koo–Kleinstreuer–Li correlation is applied to calculate the effective viscosity and thermal conductivity of nanofluid. The effects of active parameters such as Hartmann number, nanoparticle volume fraction and Rayleigh number on flow and heat transfer have been examined. Results indicate that enhancement in heat transfer has direct relationship with Hartmann number while it has inverse relationship with Rayleigh number. Nusselt number increases with increase of nanoparticle volume fraction and Rayleigh number while it decreases with increase of Hartmann number.