Interaction of surface radiation and variable property natural convection in a differentially heated square cavity – a finite element analysis

A finite element solution on the interaction of surface radiation and variable property laminar natural convection is presented. Finite element formulation of the governing equations, associated with variable property natural convection, and incorporation of the radiative boundary conditions has been extensively discussed. The study also aims to highlight the limiting value of the terminal temperature difference (TTD), below which the natural convection heat transfer becomes the sole heat transfer mode, i.e. the effect of surface radiation can be neglected. The effects of variations of emissivity and TTD are also presented.