The present study reports numerical simulations of three-dimensional
laminar mixed convection heat transfer of water-based-Al2O3 nanofluid in an open
cubic cavity with a heated block. Ansys-Fluent 14.5 was used to simulate 3D flows
with heat transfer. Streamlines, isotherms, vertical velocity profile, and local Nusselt
numbers are presented for Reynolds numbers in the range (300<Re<700), volume
fractions of nanoparticles (0<ϕ<0.08) and heat source location (1cm <d <3cm). It was
found that when adding nanoparticles to the base fluid or increasing the volume
fraction of nanoparticles, the Nusselt number increases. Moreover, the heat transfer rate
increases when the Reynolds number increases.
Keywords: Cubical cavity, Heated block, Mixed convection, Nanofluid
