| The present work aims at the study of laminar mixed convection in vertical channels of different geometries. The geometries considered are namely, vertical channels between parallel plates, vertical circular tubes, vertical concentric circular annulus and vertical eccentric annulus. Emphasis is devoted to analyze the hydrodynamic behavior of mixed convection flow in such vertical channels under isothermal boundary conditions. In this regard the pressure and pressure gradient variation along the channel (from the entrance till the fully developed region) is obtained numerically. The effect of Prandtl number on the developing pressure and pressure gradient along the channel is investigated between parallel plates as an example. Moreover, critical values of the buoyancy parameter Gr/Re beyond, which, the mixed convection results in, build up of the pressure (or in other words, leads to a positive pressure gradient), are determined. These critical values are obtained analytically and numerically. Moreover, other hydrodynamic and heat transfer parameters of relevant importance are also presented for all cases under consideration. |
