Impact of vertical thermal vibration on heat transfer dynamics in a dual-channel-driven cavity under zero-gravity condition

This study investigates the thermal convection phenomena in a square cavity driven by dual ventilation channels under the influence of high-frequency, low-amplitude vertical thermal vibration, focusing on a ternary hybrid nanofluid (THNF). By analyzing the interactions between thermal vibration-induced convection, dual-channel flow configurations, and nanofluid characteristics, the research provides novel insights into heat transfer dynamics in zero-gravity environments. Governing equations were derived from averaged formulations depicting thermovibrational convection (TVC), elucidated through vorticity of mean velocity and stream functions pertaining to both mean and fluctuating flows. The influence of vibration is quantified using the dimensionless Gershuni number (Gs), with computations conducted at fixed Prandtl number (Pr=6.1). Numerical simulations explore the effects of physical parameters such as Reynolds number (10≤Re≤500), Gershuni number (10³≤Gs≤10⁵), and volume fraction of nanomaterials (0%≤Φ≤4%) on fluid behavior and heat transfer efficiency particularly under opposed and assisted flow scenarios. Notably, our numerical findings indicate that the heat transfer rate in opposed flow exceeds that of assisted flow by 21% at Re=10 and by 60% at Re=300, highlighting its superior heat transfer potential. We also observed a 10% improvement in heat transfer efficiency, with the mean Nusselt number for THNF rising from 2.8638 (water) to 3.1634 at a 4% nanomaterial volume fraction. However, higher vibration parameters made the temperature distribution less uniform, reducing heat transfer efficiency despite increased fluid circulation.