Natural convection in a heat-generating fluid

Experimental and theoretical studies on convective heat transfer from a heat-generating fluid confined in a closed volume are reviewed. Theoretical results are obtained by means of analytical estimates based on the relevant conservation laws and the current understanding of convective heat transfer processes. Four basic and one asymptotic regime of heat transfer are identified depending on the heat generation rate. Heat transfer in a quasi-two-dimensional geometry is analyzed. Transient heat transfer from a cooling fluid without internal heat sources is studied separately. Experimental results and theoretical predictions are compared