Lattice Boltzmann simulation of 3D natural convection in a cuboid filled with KKL-model predicted nanofluid using Dual-MRT model

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the three-dimensional natural convection and entropy generation in a cuboid enclosure filled with CuO-water nanofluid.

Design/methodology/approach

The lattice Boltzmann method is used to solve the problem numerically. Two different multiple relaxation time (MRT) models are used to solve the problem. The D3Q7–MRT model is used to solve the temperature field, and the D3Q19 is used to solve the fluid flow of natural convection within the enclosure.

Findings

The influences of different Rayleigh numbers (10³ < Ra < 10⁶) and solid volume fractions (0 < f < 0.04) on the fluid flow, heat transfer, total entropy generation, local heat transfer irreversibility and local fluid friction irreversibility are presented comprehensively. To predict thermo–physical properties, dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity, of CuO–water nanofluid, the Koo–Kleinstreuer–Li (KKL) model is applied to consider the effect of Brownian motion on nanofluid properties.

Originality/value

The originality of this work is to analyze the three-dimensional natural convection and entropy generation using a new numerical approach of dual-MRT-based lattice Boltzmann method.

Citation

Rahimi, A., Kasaeipoor, A., Hasani Malekshah, E., Rashidi, M.M. and Purusothaman, A. (2019), "Lattice Boltzmann simulation of 3D natural convection in a cuboid filled with KKL-model predicted nanofluid using Dual-MRT model", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 365-387. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-07-2017-0262