Experimental study of free convective heat transfer in a direction-sensitive open cavity

The aim of the present study was to propose a panel being sensitive to the direction of heat transfer. For this purpose, a vertical rectangular cavity with prescribed dimensions was prepared and filled with water as the working fluid. A vertical mid-plane solid partition was installed within the cavity. Two relatively wide openings were created at the top and bottom of the partition and they were so equipped to operate as a pair of one-way flow controllers. The cavity was then fixed between two thick aluminum blocks by which, the contact surfaces of the cavity were maintained at almost constant but different temperatures. Heat transfer rate through the cavity was evaluated for the same temperature difference applied in the two opposed directions. Based on the results, heat transfer rate in one direction was about 30% higher than that of the reverse direction. The difference in the heat transfer rate was obviously due to the individual flow patterns developed within the modified cavity. As a result, the proposed cavity is capable of restricting heat transfer rate in one direction compared to the other, when applying the same temperature difference across the cavity.