Combined convective and radiative heat transfer in side-vented open cavities

Steady, combined laminar natural convection and surface radiation heat tran sfer from side-vented open cavities with top opening have been studied for different aspect ratios, surface emissivities and side-vents, using air as the medium. A single, isothermal, heated vertical wall formed the heat sour ce for the cavity, and all other walls were insulated. An optical measureme nt technique using a shearing interferometer with two Wollaston prisms was used to obtain local values of the convective heat transfer coefficient alo ng the heated wall of the cavity. The radiative heat transfer rates were es timated by a numerical procedure, by means of enclosure analysis using the radiosity-irradiation formulation. Parametric studies, for a range of param eters of practical interest, were carried out to understand the effect of i nteraction of surface radiation on natural convection. Results of a large n umber of systematic, controlled experiments that were carried out are prese nted, highlighting the effect of interaction. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc . All rights reserved.