THERMAL CONVECTION OF MICROPOLAR FLUIDS IN A LID-DRIVEN CAVITY

Laminar mixed convection flow of micropolar fluids in a square cavity has been investigated numerically. The flow in the cavity is induced b y the combined shear force and buoyancy force resulting from the motio n and heating of the upper lid. Parametric studies of the effects of m icrostructure on the fluid flow and heat transfer in the cavity have b een carried out. The flow phenomena are discussed for a range of Grash of number and Reynolds number. Numerical computations are also perform ed for Newtonian fluid for comparison. The numerical results indicated the strong influence of material parameter, such as vortex viscosity and spin gradient viscosity, on the flow structure and heat transfer.