Natural convection in a heated annulus (Q1207095)

Natural convection in a heated vertical concentric annulus is studied. A constant heat-flux is applied to the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder is insulated. Under these conditions, the mean temperature of the fluid increases linearly while, at the same time, heat diffuses from the heated surface into the fluid, resulting in a temperature distribution on the cross-section. Subtracting this steadily increasing temperature from the total temperature results in a steady temperature stratification on the cross-section which drives fluid motion. The mathematical form of the scaled problem is shown to be identical to that of a fluid in an annulus with uniformly distributed heat sources, with the inner cylinder maintained at constant temperature and the outer cylinder insulated.