Natural convection and entropy generation in a three dimensional volumetrically heated and partially divided cavity.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a solution for natural convection in a cavity with a partial heater in case of volumetric heating and analysis of the entropy generation.Design/methodology/approach The control volume method based on three-dimensional (3D) vorticity-potential vector was applied to solve governing equations of natural convection in a 3D cavity with a fin for different governing parameters as external Rayleigh numbers (103=RaE=106), internal Rayleigh numbers 103=RaI=106, partition height (0.25=h=0.75) and partition location (0.25=c=0.75). A code was written by using Fortran platform.Findings The edge of the fin becomes important on entropy generation. The ratio of the RaI/RaE plays the important role on natural convection and entropy generation. The variation of external Rayleigh number becomes insignificant for the RaI/RaE>1.Originality/value The originality of this work is to analyze the entropy generation and natural convection in a cubical cavity with volumetrically heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]