Natural convection with unsaturated humid air in vertical cavities

• Published in: International journal of heat and mass transfer Vol. 40; no. 13; pp. 3005 - 3012
• Main Author: McBain, G.D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.09.1997; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atmospheric humidity; Differential equations; Energy; Energy. Thermal use of fuels; Exact sciences and technology; Heat transfer; Heating, air conditioning and ventilation; Laminar flow; Least squares approximations; Mass transfer; Mathematical models; Moisture; Numerical analysis; Prandtl number; Technical data: comfort, insulation, loads, etc; Thermal comfort; Hot climate; Cavity; Laminar flow; Buildings; Heat mass transfer; Humid climate; Natural convection; Rectangular shape; Simulation model; Convection
• ISSN: 0017-9310; 1879-2189
• DOI: 10.1016/S0017-9310(96)00371-7

Simple formulae for the overall heat and moisture transport rates due to laminar natural convection in a rectangular cavity are obtained by scale analysis from the governing differential equations and a simplified picture of the flow. The two formulae contain a single unknown proportionality constant, which is determined by a least squares fit to the results of a series of numerical solutions. The relations apply for the case of isothermal vertical walls at constant, unsaturated relative humidity, and adiabatic, impermeable horizontal walls. The heat transfer formula agrees well with published data for the square cavity with zero humidity gradient.