Unsteady thermal convection of a non-Newtonian fluid

Abstract

Two-dimensional unsteady natural convection of a non-linear fluid represented by Criminale-Erickson-Filbey (CEF) fluid model in a square cavity is studied. The governing vorticity and energy transport equations are solved numerically. The contributions of the elastic and shear rate-dependent characteristics of the liquid to the non-Newtonian behaviour are investigated. The effect of the Weissenberg (which is a measure of the elasticity of the fluid) and Rayleigh numbers on the temperature and streamline profiles is delineated and this has been documented for the first time. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.