Role of periodic oscillating flow modulators on mixed convection in a long horizontal channel

Present study explores mixed convection characteristics in a long horizontal channel subjected to multiple periodically distributed flow modulators. The flow modulators are represented by oscillating blades placed along a centerline of the channel whose lower and upper walls are kept at constant high and low temperatures respectively. In replicating the blade oscillation, moving mesh approach has been adopted within Arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian (ALE) framework for a representative periodical unit. The corresponding non-dimensional governing mass, momentum and energy conservation equations have been solved through Galerkin finite element solver for a wide variations of modulator's dynamic condition (oscillating frequency and maximum angular displacement) for different fluids represented by Prandtl number. Heat transfer performance of the system has been demonstrated in terms of spatially-averaged transient as well as time-averaged Nusselt number while qualitative analysis of fluid flow and thermal field has been presented as streamline and isotherm plots. Present study indicates that the time averaged Nusselt number undergoes significant variation with blade oscillating frequency and maximum angular displacement depending on both the Prandtl number and Reynolds Number. Power spectrum analysis obtained through Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) of the imposed blade frequency and induced thermal frequency reveals different correlation depending on the blade frequency. Blade friction power requirement has been found to increase at higher blade frequency as well as maximum angular displacement. However, contrary to power consumption, increase in frequency does not result in a significant rise in heat transfer. Consequently, specific heat transfer decreases at higher blade oscillating frequency and maximum angular displacement.