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Wigdalski, Adam

Mechanical Engineering

2007

MS

This report describes heat transfer characteristics of a rectangular cavity with a horizontal, heated oscillating wall. Specifically, the effects of the flow Rayleigh Number, Womersley Number, and domain aspect ratio on the flow Nusselt Number are examined. Natural convection simulations were completed to establish a baseline initial condition for seven different Rayleigh Numbers and four domain aspect ratios. Forced convection effects were then studied for four domain aspect ratios, and four values of the Womersley Number, related to four different wall oscillation frequencies. Finally, mixed convection characteristics were studied by combining the natural and forced convection parameters. The intent of this research was to define a set of conditions that provides optimal heat transfer from the bottom, horizontal, heated oscillating wall.