Physical–numerical parameters in laminar simulations of natural convection on three-dimensional square plates

Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the influence of the main physical–numerical parameters in the computational evaluation of natural convection heat transfer rates in isothermal flat square plates in the laminar regime. Moreover by experimentally validate the results of the numerical models and define the best parameter settings for the problem situation studied. Design/methodology/approach The present work is an extension of the study by Verderio Junior et al. (2021), differing in the modeling, results analysis and conclusions for the laminar flow regime with Rade=1×105. The analysis of the influence and precision of the physical–numerical parameters: boundary conditions, degree of mesh refinement, refinement layers and κ – ω SST and κ – ε turbulence models, occurred from the results from 48 numerical models, which were simulated using the OpenFOAM® software. Comparing the experimental mean Nusselt number with the numerical values obtained in the simulations and the analysis of the relative errors were used in the evaluation of the advantages, restrictions and selection of the most adequate parameters to the studied problem situation. Findings The numerical results of the simulations were validated, with excellent precision, from the experimental reference by Kitamura et al. (2015). The application of the κ – ω SST and κ – ε turbulence models and the boundary conditions (with and without wall functions) were also physically validated. The use of the κ – ω SST and κ – ε turbulence models, in terms of cost-benefit and precision, proved to be inefficient in the problem situation studied. Simulations without turbulence models proved to be the best option for the physical model for the studies developed. The use of refinement layers, especially in applications with wall functions and turbulence models, proved unfeasible. Practical implications Use of the physical–numerical parameters studied and validated, and application of the modeling and analysis methodology developed in projects and optimizations of natural convection thermal systems in a laminar flow regime. Just like, reduce costs and the dependence on the construction of experimental apparatus to obtain experimental results and in the numerical-experimental validation process. Social implications Exclusive use of free and open-source computational tools as an alternative to feasible research in the computational fluid dynamics area in conditions of budget constraints and lack of higher value-added infrastructure, with applicability in the academic and industrial areas. Originality/value The results and discussions presented are original and new for the applied study of laminar natural convection in isothermal flat plate, with analysis and validation of the main physical and numerical influence parameters.

Relationship Between Pressure Drop and Heat Transfer of Fully Developed Flow in Smooth Horizontal Circular Tubes and Spiral Coiled Tubes in the Laminar Flow Regime

Studies on isothermal steady state frictional pressure drop for flow of petroleum base oil SN70, SN150, Diesel and water are carried out in spiral coils with diameter to length ratio, 0.00042, 0.00047, 0.00073, 0.00164, 0.00189, 0.003 and 0.0037. An attempt is made to correlate friction factors with a better and more appropriate dimensionless group for flow of Newtonian fluids through spiral coiled tubes. An innovative approach of correlating heat transfer data with the newly established dimensionless group is presented. Heat transfer experiments are performed for spiral coils with diameter to length ratio 0.000474, 0.00042, 0.001896, 0.00198, 0.000942, 0.00164 in laminar flow regime. Suitable correlations for friction factors and Nusselt numbers are proposed. Relationship between pressure drop and heat transfer is studied. The incapability of the conventional analogy equations to estimate the heat and momentum transfer coefficients for laminar flow through straight or curved tubes is explained based on the viscous and form drag existing in straight and curved pipe flow. The limitations of the existing analogy equations are examined critically. A new general analogy equation is derived for laminar flow through spiral and straight tubes considering the influencing geometrical parameters of the tube. Keywords: Forced Convection; Heat and Mass transfer; Heat Exchangers; Thermal Systems.