Numerical simulation of natural convection heat transfer across a roof with varying pitch angle

Abstract

Natural convection heat transfer is a complex phenomenon with a wide range of applications in multiple fields, such as industry, environment, and other areas. This paper investigates the intricacies of this process by focusing on a triangle-shaped roof. The roof's cooled walls and heated base are inclined at different angles. The temperature gradients that follow lead to variations in buoyancy and density, which start the flow of fluid inside the triangle. This study primarily looks into how altering the pitch angle affects the roof's thermal properties. The simulations cover a range of Rayleigh numbers, ranging from 103to 106. Higher values indicate a more convective heat transfer regime, which is characterized by increased fluid motion. The results of these experiments are displayed using isotherm and streamline visualizations to aid in analysis. In addition, the study investigates the Nusselt numbers in relation to both the Rayleigh number and pitch angle, offering additional understanding of the observed occurrences. A result of this research, two Nusselt Number correlations were obtainedfor the prescribed geometry in function of the problem parameters:Nu = 12.76 α0.45Ra0.075, & Nu = 13.9 α0.75Ra(−0.037α+0.1035).