Numerical computational study applied to natural and forced convection in cylindrical and semi-circular thermal tanks

Abstract

In many applications cylindrical tanks with large aspect ratio are used. In cases where the diameter is limited in project and the ratio length – diameter is more than 2.75, replacement of the conventional cylindrical tank for a semi-circular one showed economical advantages by reducing the ratio surface area/volume. In this work, cylindrical and semi- circular tanks were numerically studied to investigate the temperature and velocity fields in tanks subject to natural and forced convection. The numerical results obtained in this study showed that, in cases where the aspect ratio of the cylindrical tank is high (> 2.75), the semi- circular tanks were more advantageous than the usual cylindrical shape.