Unsteady natural convection in a rectangular cavity

Abstract

The problem of transient natural convection in a cavity of aspect ratio A [les ] 1 with differentially heated end walls is considered. Scale analysis is used to show that a number of initial flow types are possible, collapsing ultimately onto two basic types of steady flow, determined by the relative value of the non-dimensional parameters describing the flow. A number of numerical solutions which encompass both flow types are obtained, and their relationship to the scale analysis is discussed.