Comparative investigation of numerical simulation and experimental study of electroconvection layer in natural convection heat transfer enhanced by an electric field

This article utilizes numerical simulation methods, grounded in experimental data and models to investigate the formation process of the electroconvection layer and its role in enhancing natural convection heat transfer. After verifying the feasibility of the model, the experimental results were compared with the numerical results, and numerical calculations were performed under experimental conditions of voltages ranging from 1000 V to 5000 V and heat fluxes spanning from 4000W/m2 to 10,000W/m2. The findings reveal a correlation between the establishment of the electroconvection layer and the strength of the electric field force with respect to the temperature gradient. Electroconvection not only enhances heat transfer but also modifies the velocity field of the natural convection, resulting a double vortex flow. The electric field force suppresses vertical thermal convection and alters the direction of the horizontal velocity field. Furthermore, electroconvection augments the heat transfer in free convection, with the cooling effect of high voltage surpassing that of low voltage. The electric field force's enhancing impact on low heat fluxes is comparatively diminished compared to high heat fluxes.