Visualization of isotherms around a heated horizontal cylinder embedded in a porous medium

Abstract: Experiments reported here confirm experimentally the existence of the characteristic planar buoyant plumes that emerge as a consequence of the presence of a cylindrical heat source embedded in an homogeneous air-saturated and non-consolidated porous medium. The resultant buoyant plumes were visualized with IR thermography considering two important cases. First, under the action of natural convection and second, under the action of forced convection due to the passage of a constant air stream directed perpendicularly towards the horizontal cylindrical heat source buried in the porous medium. Such streams were induced at different tilt angles. For each case, the temperature distribution is shown and correspondence is found with the isotherms distribution predicted by the theoretical models reported in the literature. The use of infrared techniques appears as a helpful tool that allows us to witness all the process of rise and growth of the buoyant plumes until the phenomenon reaches steady state. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]