Modeling of 3D-convective flows by means of package OpenFOAM

Numerical modeling of free thermal convection in Hele-Shaw cell was fulfilled for the case of cavity heating from below. Calculations have been carried out with the help of package OpenFOAM which is intended for solution of different problems in the field of fluid mechanics. The approximation of plane trajectories has been verified for wide range of governing parameters of the problem. For definite geometry of Hele-Shaw cell 3D calculations demonstrate good agreement with well-known 2D theoretical and experimental results. The area of application for approximation of plane trajectories is discussed.