Natural convection from isothermal horizontal cylinders

Abstract

The research described here is concerned with natural convection from isothermal cylinders, with a particular focus on the interaction between a pair of vertically aligned cylinders. Prime attention was focused on how the local heat transfer characteristics of the upper cylinder are affected due to buoyancy induced fluid flow from the lower cylinder. Tests were performed using internally heated copper cylinders with an outside diameter 30mm and a vertical separation distance between the cylinders ranging from two to three cylinder diameters. Plume interaction between the heated cylinders was investigated within a Rayleigh number range of 2x106 to 6x106. Spectral analysis of the associated heat transfer interaction is presented showing that interaction between the cylinders causes oscillation of the thermal plume. The effect of this oscillation is considered as a possible enhancement mechanism of the heat transfer performance of the upper cylinder.