Key words: Nanofluid, Natural convection, Heat transfer, Solid volume fraction.

Abstract: This paper analyzes heat transfer and fluid flow of natural convection in an inclined cavity filled with CuO/water nanofluid that operates under differentially heated walls. The transport equations for the flow are solved numerically by the finite volume element method using the SIMPLER algorithm. Simulations are performed for various aspect ratios. The inclination angle is varied between 0 and 90°, and the Rayleigh number is in the range of 103 and 105. Temperature distribution and heat transfer rates are analyzed and discussed. It is found that the addition of solid nanoparticles in working fluid lead to a considerable enhancement of heat transfer. Effects of aspect ratio, inclination angle, and Rayleigh number on heat transfer are analyzed.