Numerical simulation of compressible flow induced by a heat and mass source in a partially—open cavity

A numerical analysis is given for the prediction of unsteady,two‐dimensional fluid flow induced by a heat and mass source in an initially closed cavity which is vented when the internal overpressure reaches a certain level. A modified ICE technique is used for solving the Navier–Stokes equations governing a compressible flow at a low Mach number and high temperature. Particular attention is focused on the treatment of the boundary conditions on the vent surface. This has been treated by an original procedure using the resolution of a Riemann problem. The configuration investigated may be viewed as a test problem which allows simulation of the ventilation and cooling of such cavities. The injection of hot gases is found to play a key role on the temperature field in the enclosure, whereas the vent seems to produce a distortion of the dynamic flow‐field only. When the injection of hot gases is stopped, the enclosure heat transfer is strongly influenced by the vent. A comparison with the results obtained when the radiative heat transfer between the walls of the enclosure is considered, indicate that radiation dominates the heat transfer in the enclosure and alters the flow patterns significantly.