Finite element analysis of free convection flows

Two dimensional natural convection problems governed by the continuity, momentum and energy balance equations and simplified through the Boussinesque approximation for buoyancy forces, are studied. By using a stream function the continuity equation is satisfied exactly and the remaining equations are expressed in terms of temperature and vorticity functions. A simple triangular finite element model is then developed and it is employed to analyse two examples, under varying conditions. When results (experimental and numerical) obtained by other authors are available a comparison is made. This comparison exhibits good agreement. (author)