Entropy 2003, 5[5], 496-505
Entropy
ISSN 1099-4300
http://www.mdpi.org/entropy/

An Analysis of The Entropy Generation in a Square Enclosure

Latife Berrin Erbay1, Zekeriya Altaç2 and Birsen Sülüs3

1,2,3 Osmangazi University, School of Engineering and Architecture, 26480 Batÿ Meselik, Eskisehir, Turkey
Tel: 90 222 239 10 74; Fax: +90 222 229 05 35; E-mail: 1 [email protected]; 2 [email protected]; 3 [email protected]

Received: 22 July 2003 / Accepted: 22 December 2003 / Published: 31 December 2003

Abstract: The entropy generation during transient laminar natural convection in a square enclosure is numerically investigated. Two different cases are considered. The enclosure is heated either completely or partially from the left side wall and cooled from the opposite side wall. The bottom and the top of the enclosure are assumed as insulated. The Boussinesq approximation is used in the natural convection modelling. The solutions are obtained from quiescent conditions proceeded through the transient up to the steady-state. The calculations are made for the Prandtl numbers 0.01 and 1.0 and Rayleigh numbers between 102-108. The entropy generation and the active places triggering the entropy generation are obtained for each case after the flow and thermal characteristics are determined. It is found that the active sites in the completely heated case are at the left bottom corner of the heated wall and the right top corner of the cooled wall at the same magnitudes. In the case of partial heating, however, the active site is observed at the top corner of the heated section especially at lower Pr and Ra values.

Keywords: enclosure; laminar natural convection; entropy generation.


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