Mixed convection in a horizontal rectangular channel - Experimental and numerical velocity distributions

Mixed convection in a rectangular channel (width/height = 2) with bottom-heated and top-cooled sections is studied by laser Doppler anemometry in nitrogen at Ra = 22,200 and Re = 18.75, 36, and 54. At the lower Re values, symmetry breaking is observed in steady but spatially oscillating flows that prevail over a certain distance from the leading edge of the differentially heated section. Further downstream, unsteady flows are found even for Re = 18.75. Numerical models are used to investigate the effects of adiabatic, conducting (with a conductive-convective heat transfer coefficient), and perfectly conducting side walls; channel tilts and Prandtl number dependence. Good agreement between calculations and experiment is obtained for longitudinal convective roll velocities. The transverse velocities are found to be independent of Re.