Comparisons of four computer programs for two-dimensional convection in closed cells

It is noted that in analyzing the convection flow in the cooling passages surrounding a nuclear reactor core, especially acute problems exist, since experiments with low Prandtl number fluids such as liquid sodium are costly and difficult to perform. Thus the use of reliable numerical models is desirable. The paper examines four computer programs based on equations which express conservation of energy, two components of momentum, and mass continuity. Two are finite difference programs which approach the steady state solution through a transient analysis and make use of upwind differencing as an aid to stability. The other two are finite element programs which both solve the steady flow equations by direct iteration and are of regular Galerkin form.