Mixed convection in closed cavities are important for various processing industries especially those associated with conservation of energy. Finite element based simulations are carried out for two cases based on the motion of the horizontal wall(s) (cases la Id) or vertical wall(s) (cases 2a-2c). Heat flow distribution within the cavity enclosed by isothermally hot bottom wall, cold side walls and insulated top wall is analyzed for various fluids with Prandtl number, Pr = 0.026 and 7.2, Reynolds number, Re = 10-100 and Grashof number, Gr = 10(3)-10(5). The direction of motion of wall(s) plays a significant role on the fluid flow field at Pr = 0.026, Gr = 10(3) and Re = 10 due to dominant forced convection for both horizontally (cases 1a 1d) or vertically (cases 2a-2c) moving wall(s). At Pr = 7.2, Gr = 10(5) and Re = 100, multiple convective heatline cells are observed for cases 1a-1d. It is found that, the strength of fluid or heatline circulation cells is less at Re = 100 compared to Re = 10 for cases 2a-2c due to weak buoyancy force at high Re. Energy transfer rates are assessed via local and average Nusselt numbers for cases la id and 2a-2c. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.