Thermal management of heating element in a ventilated enclosure

Thermal management in a ventilated enclosure undergoing mixed convection is investigated by dividing the entire heating element into multiple equal segments and by positioning them appropriately on vertical side walls, namely at bottom, middle or top location. The performance analyses of segmental heating and whole heating are conducted for different Richardson number (0.01-100) and Reynolds number (50-200). Nine positional configurations of bi-segmental heating reveal the possibility of significant enhancement in heat transfer. The optimal locations of heater segments for maximum heat transfer depend upon Re and Ri. The study also indicates the increasing trend of heat transfer enhancement with more number of heater segments. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.