Turbulent free convection heat transfer from vertical parallel plates : 3rd report, for the case of a bell-mouth entrance

The streamwise development of turbulence in the free convection flow between vertical parallel plates (5m long and spacing B) was experimentally studied. To control inlet disturbance, a bell-mouth entrance was installed at the lower end of the vertical parallel plate channel. The turbulence quantity profiles (velocity, intensity, turbulent heat flux and kinetic energy productions) were measured in the vertical channel at heights X (110,820,1690,2630 and 3840mm) and at spacings B of 50,100 and 200mm. The streamwise development of intensity profiles of vertical velocity and the beginning of the transition seem to be closely related to the development of vertical velocity profiles through buoyancy effects. The measured profiles of the turbulent kinetic energy productions and the turbulent heat fluxes seem to clarify the characteristics of turbulence intensity.