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Research Paper | Mathematics | Kenya | Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2015

An Investigation of Buoyancy Driven Natural Convection in a Cylindrical Enclosure

Mayoyo Rael | Johana K. Sigey ^[6] | Jeconiah A. Okelo ^[2] | James M. Okwoyo

Abstract: An investigation of heat transfer was done in a cylindrical enclosure. The effects of varying Reynolds Number, Prandtl number, Froude number, and Euler number on the temperature and velocity was investigated. In the study, the top surface of a vertical cylindrical container was cooled, the bottom surface heated and the vertical cylindrical walls were considered as being adiabatic. The non-linear governing equations subject to Boussinesq approximation were solved using finite difference method. Results were analysed and presented in graphs to understand the fluid flow and temperature profiles at various locations in the enclosure. Results indicated that buoyancy forces due to temperature difference between the bottom and top of the cylinder are important in determining the velocity of air in the enclosure.

Keywords: buoyancy force, convective heat transfer, heat transfer, turbulent flow

Edition: Volume 4 Issue 4, April 2015,

Pages: 3337 - 3340