Numerical experiments in turbulent natural and mixed convection in internal flows

In this paper a numerical simulation, based on finite difference techniques, has been developed in order to analyse turbulent natural and mixed convection of air in internal flows. The study has been restricted to two‐dimensional cavities with the possibility of inlet and outlet ports, and with internal heat sources. Turbulence is modelled by means of two‐equation k‐ε turbulence models, both in the simplest form using wall functions and in the more general form of low‐Reynolds‐number k‐ε models. The couple time average governing equations (continuity, momentum, energy, and turbulence quantities) are solved in a segregated manner using the SIMPLEX method. An implicit control volume formulation of the differential equations has been employed. Some illustrative numerical results are presented to study the influence of geometry and boundary conditions in cavities. A comparison of different k‐ε turbulence models has also been presented.