Conjugate heat transfer analyses via a lattice Boltzmann method solver for time-periodic flows over a conductive square cylinder confined in a channel

In this study, we perform conjugate heat transfer analyses for time-periodic laminar flows over a conductive square cylinder enclosed in a straight channel. In computations, we utilize our in-house graphics processing unit-based lattice Boltzmann method solver to model mass transfer throughout the channel as well as heat transfer within the cylinder and the channel in coupled manner. We obtain computational results for the problem by varying Reynolds number, solid to fluid conductivity ratio, and Prandtl number systematically, and thereby assess the influence of these parameters on temperature uniformity within the cylinder and heat transfer from the surfaces of the cylinder. We also evaluate the overall thermal performance of the system by calculating the Biot number. Our results reveal that higher solid to fluid conductivity ratio enhances heat conduction within the cylinder considerably but cannot ensure uniformity of temperature distribution in it for the operational range of Reynolds and Prandtl numbers for two-dimensional, unsteady laminar flows that we consider here.