Free Convection In Water In The Vicinity Of The Density Maximum

摘要

Free convection is investigated in a rectangular enclosure of water subjected to a horizontal temperature gradient and cooled in the vicinity of its density maximum. The temperature profiles at set points along the central horizontal axis through the enclosure are presented with flow visualization results obtained using particle image velocimetry. The experimental results compare favourably with the numerical results presented. The study reveals that the convective flow due to the density maximum has a profound effect on the temperature profiles.