OPTIMUM GEOMETRY FOR NATURAL CONVECTION CHANNEL FLOW WITH INTERNAL HEATED SLATS

摘要

Moving minute amount of fluids is important in microfluidics. The present work is a preliminary study of using a natural convection pump as a means to do that. The model consists of periodic heated vertical slats enclosed by constant temperature plates. Assuming a fully developed state, the problem is solved for the net through flow using eigenfunction expansions and point match. Optimum geometric dimensions for the maximal flow are determined.