Measurements of Turbulent Transport in a Square Channel with One Ribbed Wall

The velocity field of the fully developed turbulent flow in a one-sided ribbed square channel (rib-height-to-channel-height ratio of k/h = 0.0667, rib-pitch-to-rib-height ratio of p/k = 9) were measured at Reynolds numbers (based on the channel height h and the mean bulk velocity uB) of Reh = 50 000 and 100 000 by means of Laser-Doppler-Anemometry (LDA). Triple velocity correlations differed slightly between both Reynolds numbers when normalized by the bulk velocity and the channel height, similarly to the first- and second-order statistical moments of the velocity. Their near-wall behavior reflected the crucial role of turbulent transport near the rib crest and within the separated shear layer. Sweep events occurred with the elongated flow structures of the flapping shear layer and gained in importance towards the channel bottom wall, while strong ejection events near the rib leading and trailing edges coincided with flow structures bursting away from the wall. Despite the predominant occurrence of sweep events close to the ribbed wall within the inter-rib spacing, ejection events contributed with higher intensity to the Reynolds shear stress. Ejection and sweep events and their underlying transport phenomena contributing to the Reynolds shear stress were almost Reynolds number-insensitive in the resolved flow range. The invariance to the Reynolds number can be of benefit for the use of scale-resolving simulation methods in the design process of rib structures for heat exchange applications.

Heat Transfer Potentiality and Flow Behavior in a Square Duct Fitted with Double-Inclined Baffles: A Numerical Analysis

Numerical analysis of heat transfer mechanisms and flow topologies for the heat exchanger square channel (HESC) installed with the double-inclined baffles (DIB) is reported. The main objective of the present research is to study the influences of DIB height to duct height ( b / H = 0.05 – 0.30 ), DIB distance to duct height ( P / H = 1 – 1.5 ), and flow attack angle ( α = 30 ° and 45 ° ) on the flow topologies, heat transfer features, and thermal performances. The Reynolds numbers (based on the entry HESC around 100–2000) are analyzed for the present problem. The numerical models of the HESC installed with the DIB are solved with finite volume method (commercial code). The simulated results of the HESC installed with the DIB are reported in forms of flow topologies and heat transfer characteristics. The Nusselt numbers (Nu), friction factors ( f ), and thermal enhancement factors (TEF) of the HESC placed with the DIB are offered. As the numerical results, it is seen that the DIB produces the vortex streams and impinging streams in all cases. The vortex streams and impinging streams disturb the thermal boundary layer on the HESC walls that is a key motive for the growth of heat transfer rate. The best TEF of the HESC installed with the DIB is about 3.87 at P / H = 1 , α = 30 ° , Re = 2000 , and b / H = 0.15 . Additionally, the TEF contours, which help to design the HESC inserted with the DIB, are performed.

Effects of Attack Angle and Relative Thickness of Novel Wing-Shaped Turbulators on Turbulent Hydrothermal Performance in a Two-Pass Square Channel

This work aims to combine the effects of the near wall and core flow disturbance by proposing novel wing-shaped turbulators. The new turbulators are fabricated with the fused deposition modeling (3D printing) technology. To explore their effects on detailed flow fields, local temperature distributions, and pressure drops in a two-pass square channel, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV), Infrared Thermography (IR camera), and pressure transducer measurements are performed. The turbulator pitch, clearance, and truncation gap ratio based on the channel hydraulic diameter of 45.5 mm are respectively fixed at 0.7, 0.25 and 0.06. Varied parameters include turbulator attack angle (α = 10°, 15°, 20°, and 30°), maximum thickness to chord line ratio (t/C = 0.08, 0.13, 0.16, 0.20, and 0.23), and bulk Reynolds number (Re = 5,000-20,000). From the experimental results and flow parameters analyzed, the dimensionless spanwise-averaged mean transverse velocity and cross-sectionally averaged vorticity magnitude are identified to be the most relevant ones to spanwise-averaged local Nusselt number ratio in the first and second pass. Among all examined cases and previous data with Fanning friction factor ratio (f¯/fo) less than 50, the case with α = 20° and t/C = 0.20 attains the highest thermal performance factor and overall Nusselt number ratio (Nu¯/Nuo) up to 1.68 and 5.36, respectively. Furthermore, empirical correlations of Nu¯/Nuo and f¯/fo versus α, t/C, and Re are proposed.