NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF MHD NANOFLUID NATURAL CONVECTION HEAT TRANSFER IN A RECTANGULAR ENCLOSURE WITH DIFFERENT OBSTACLES

Abstract

This numerical study analyzes the cooling of different geometry hot obstacles within a rectangular cavity filled with water-CuO nanofluid under a magnetic field. The analysis assumes a two-dimensional, stable, laminar, and compressible flow. The cavity features an inlet and outlet, with the cold nanofluid entering from the left side and exiting from the opposite side after cooling the hot obstacle. All cavity walls are insulated and the SIMPLER algorithm is used to solve the governing equations. Various parameters, including nanoparticle volume fraction, Reynolds number, and Hartmann number, are examined. The results reveal that as the Reynolds number increases, the isothermal lines become more concentrated, and the cold zone near the inlet expands. This effect causes the isothermal lines to move closer to the hot obstacle, resulting in a steeper temperature gradient and enhanced heat transfer from the hot barrier.