CONJUGATE NATURAL-CONVECTION FROM AN ARRAY OF DISCRETE HEAT-SOURCES .1. 2-DIMENSIONAL AND 3-DIMENSIONAL MODEL VALIDATION

Two- and three-dimensional (2- and 3-D) numerical models have been dev eloped for conjugate natural convection in a discretely heated cavity. Experimental results obtained for the same geometry, using water and FC-77 as the coolants, were in excellent agreement with the 3-D numeri cal predictions. In contrast, because of the inability to account for thermal spreading in the lateral direction, the 2-D model overpredicte d measured average surface temperatures of the discrete heat sources. However, the 2-D model still predicted general trends and flow pattern s that were experimentally obtained. The nature and extent of 3-D effe cts on the flow and heat transfer have been delineated.