Thermal convection around obstacles: the case of Sierpinski carpets

• Published in: Experiments in fluids Vol. 36; no. 5; pp. 717 - 727
• Main Authors: AMINE, A, PLATTEN, J. K, HASNAOUI, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.05.2004; Berlin
• Subjects: Carpets; Convection and heat transfer; Exact sciences and technology; Flows through porous media; Fluid dynamics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Instrumentation for fluid dynamics; Liquids; Mathematical analysis; Navier-Stokes equations; Nonhomogeneous flows; Obstacles; Physics; Plexiglas; Thermal conductivity; Turbulent flows, convection, and heat transfer; Viscosity; Test facilities; Porous medium flow; Digital simulation; Laser Doppler velocimeters; Fractal system; Natural convection; Experimental study; Velocity measurement; Cavity flow; Heat transfer
• ISSN: 0723-4864; 1432-1114
• DOI: 10.1007/s00348-003-0750-6

Measurements of free convection velocity profiles by laser Doppler velocimetry in a cavity containing Plexiglas reconstructed Sierpinski carpets are compared with computed profiles using the SIMPLER numerical code applied to the Navier-Stokes equations. This first step validates the numerical code into which two thermal conductivities are used (that of the liquid and that of the solid), together with two viscosities (that of the liquid and a fictitious high viscosity of the order of 1030 for the solid). Next, the code is used for a network of Sierpinski carpets, allowing the evaluation of a seepage velocity from the Navier-Stokes equations.