Numerical simulation of natural convection flow over parabolic bodies

Steady, two-dimensional and symmetric natural convection flow over parabolic bodies are investigated numerically. The full Navier-Stokes and energy equations were solved using the finite element technique. Solutions for the velocity and temperature distributions are obtained for different values of the flow parameters. In addition, the local and average Nusselt number distributions are obtained and presented. For all cases considered, the following parameters are studied: nose radius of curvature of the parabolic body, Grashof number, and Prandtl number. It was found that as the nose radius of curvature of the parabolic body is increased, the local and average values of the Nusselt number are decreased. On the other hand, an increase in the Grashof or Prandtl number is found to increase the local and average Nusselt number.