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The influences of V-shaped delta-wing baffles on the thermohydraulic performance characteristics in a round tube were experimentally tested. The V-shaped delta-wing baffles having a set number of wings (N = 4, 6, and 8) were comparatively tested. The V-shaped delta-wing baffles with various pitch ratios of P/D = 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 were thoroughly fitted inside a tube. In the present work, the baffles were responsible for both the recirculation/reverse flow behind the solid baffle and the longitudinal vortex flow behind the V-shaped wing. The V-shaped winged baffles with N = 8 produced high heat transfer rates by promoting the development of reverse and vortex flows. These currents aid in fluid mixing between the two streams. Experimental results suggested that utilizing V-shaped delta-wing baffles having N = 4, 6, and 8 led to Nusselt number enhancement of up to 97–105.6%, 105.8–127.8% and 114.8–138.9%, respectively. When N was 8, the V-shaped wings baffles created additional multi vortex flows, which resulted in some fluid mixing between the vortex and the reverse flow. It was discovered that a greater turbulent intensity is imparted to the flow that was occurring between the V-shaped delta-wing baffles, which led to an increase in the rate of heat transfer when the pitch ratio was decreased. The increase in Nusselt number was up to 118.26–151.3% more than it was in a tube with the lowest pitch ratio (P/D = 2.0). It was also found that the baffles with N = 8 wings and P/D = 3.0 offered a maximum aerothermal performance factor (APF) of 1.01. Furthermore, the V-shaped delta-wing baffles have the potential for energy savings at low Re ≤ 6000, indicated by the APF beyond unity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experimental study aimed to intensify the aerothermal performance index (API) in a round tube heat exchanger employing twisted tapes in rib and sawtooth forms (TTRSs) as swirl/vortex flow generators. The TTRSs have a constant twist ratio of 3.0, a constant rib pitch ratio (p/e) of 1.0, and six different sawtooth angles (α = 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, and 70°). Experiments were carried out in an open flow using air as the working fluid for Reynolds numbers between 6000 and 20,000 in the current study, which was conducted in a heated tube under conditions of uniform wall heat flux. A typical twisted tape (TT) was also tested for comparison. The experimental results suggest that TTRSs yield Nusselt numbers ranging from 1.42 to 2.10 times of those of a plain tube. TTRSs with larger sawtooth angles (α) offer superior heat transfer. The TTRSs with α = 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, and 70° respectively, enhance average Nusselt numbers by 158%, 162%, 166%, 172%, 180%, and 187% with average friction factors of 3.51, 3.55, 3.60, 3.67, 3.75 and 3.82 times higher than a plain tube. Additionally, TTRSs with sawtooth angles (α) of 20°, 30°, 40°, 50°, 60°, and 70° offer APIs in the ranges of 0.99 to 1.19, 1.01 to 1.21, 1.03 to 1.26, 1.05 to 1.31, 1.07 to 1.42, and 1.09 to 1.48, respectively, which are higher than those of the typical twisted tape (TT) by around 5%, 7%, 11%, 16%, 25%, and 31%, respectively. This demonstrates that twisted tapes in rib and sawtooth form (TTRSs), with appropriate geometries, give a promising trade-off between enhanced heat transfer and an increased friction loss penalty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of inserting a trapezoidal louvered winglet tape (TLWT) into a uniformly heat-fluxed tube on its thermal effectiveness was studied experimentally. The exergy and entropy analyses for turbulent flows, as well as frictional loss and thermal features, were highlighted as key aspects of the experimental finding for the Reynolds number which measured between about 4700 and 30,000. Because fixing baffles to the curved shape of tube wall presented a challenge, the baffles were consequently positioned on double surfaces of a flat tape. Six values of the louver angle (θ 1 = 0°, 25°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) and three values of the relative pitch of winglet (P R = 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) were employed in the arrangement of TLWTs, with the V-apex oriented upstream (V-up). Each of these had only a fixed height (B R = 0.25) and angle of attack (α = 30°). The winglets were utilized to induce streamwise vortices which can hinder the boundary layer formation, while the louvered openings were adopted to lessen pressure drop without significantly impacting the primary vortices. The experiment results disclosed that the smallest θ 1 and P R produced the largest relative friction factor (f R) and Nu R , which were about 13.57 and 4.04 times higher, while P R = 1 and θ 1 = 45° provide the greatest TEF of about 2.27. The greatest exergy efficiency (η E x ) resulting from the TLWT was reached at θ 1 = 0°, but the generation of entropy ( S ˙ g ′) dropped with lowering θ 1 and Re. A further examination, however, showed that the best scenario with α = 60° and staggered arrays is more desirable since it yields the largest TEF of 2.45 at θ 1 = 45° and P R = 1. For the range of parameters under consideration, the Nu and f correlations were additionally established. • A new trapezoidal louvered winglet tape (TLWT) for improving effectiveness. • Effect of relative pitches and louver angles on exergy and effectiveness is studied. • The TLWT at 60° attack angle and louver angle of 45° has the best effectiveness. • The empirical correlations for friction loss and heat transfer are determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes a computational study of heat transfer enhancement inside a square duct with V-shaped flapped baffles located repeatedly on the bottom and top walls for fluid flowing with Reynolds numbers (Re) from 3000 to 21,000. The basic goal of this work is to attain the largest relative Nusselt number (Nu / Nu 0) whilst maintaining the highest thermal performance to improve energy savings. A finite volume method was used in the computations, along with the Realizable k ‒ ε turbulent model. The variable baffle parameters considered first in the current simulation were the relative height/blockade ratio (B R = 0.05−0.2) and the flap angle of the baffle hole (β = 0° − 90°), while the fixed parameters included the attack angle (α = 60°), hole diameter ratio (d R = 0.5), and pitch ratio (P R = 0.5). To accomplish this goal, the previously mentioned parameters providing the best thermal performance were investigated further by extending the values of B R to 0.25−0.3, d R to 0.8 and α to 45°−30°. The simulation results indicate that the jet flowing from the flapped hole, as well as the vortices created by the baffle, can boost heat transfer and friction loss in comparison to the plain duct. In comparison, using a flapped baffle with β > 0° results in less friction loss, a greater thermal enhancement factor (TEF), and a higher Nusselt number than using a baffle with no flap. The first investigation disclosed that for B R = 0.2 and β = 20°, the greatest TEF of 2.19 with Nu / Nu 0 of 7.9 times are obtained. The extended study, on the other hand, showed that the highest TEF of roughly 2.49 with Nu / Nu 0 of 8.4 times are seen for α = 45°, d R = 0.8, B R = 0.25 and β = 20° at lowest Re. Thus, the flapped baffle provides a significant increase in Nu / Nu 0 and TEF over the baffle alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental and numerical work has been carried out to study the heat transfer enhancement in a heat exchanger square-duct fitted with 30° oblique horseshoe baffles (HB). In the current work, air is passed through the HB-inserted duct having a constant surface heat-flux. The air flow and heat transfer behaviors are presented for turbulent flow region, Reynolds number ranging from 4000 to 25,000. The pertinent parameters of the 30° HB elements include three relative baffle-pitches ( P R = P / H = 0.5, 1 and 2) and five relative baffle heights ( B R = b / H = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2 and 0.25). Influences of those parameters on heat transfer and energy loss due to friction in terms of Nusselt number and friction factor, respectively are studied. The experimental result shows that at a given B R , the smallest pitch spacing ( P R = 0.5) provides the highest heat transfer and friction factor. The HB at B R = 0.25 and P R = 0.5 yields the highest heat transfer and friction factor but the one at B R = 0.2 and P R = 1 gives the maximum thermal performance. In addition, the thermal performance of using the HB is much higher than that of the wire coil insert, in comparison with other turbulators. To understand the heat transfer mechanism, a numerical inserted-duct flow simulation is also conducted and the obtained numerical results are in good agreement with measurements. Numerical flow and heat transfer behaviors such as streamlines, temperature and Nusselt number contours of the duct flow model are also reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat transfer augmentation by dual-helical twisted tapes (D-HTTs) and triple-helical twisted tapes (T-HTTs) is presented in comparison with that by single-helical twisted tape (S-HTT). The effects of tape width ratio (w/D = 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2) on heat transfer, friction factor, and thermal performance are also reported. The experiments were performed using air as a working fluid for Reynolds number between 6000 and 20,000. At similar conditions, the use of D-HTTs and T-HTTs leads to the increase of Nusselt number by respectively 15.6% to 17.6% and 19.5% to 23.4%, the increase of friction factor by respectively 83% to 206% and 143% to 335%, and the decrease of thermal performance factor by 3.9% to 20.3% and 8.3% to 26.2% compared to those obtained from the use of S-HTT/promoter. As the width ratio increases, both Nusselt number and friction factor are considerably increased. However, due to the poorer trade-off between the increases of Nusselt number and friction factor, lower thermal performance factor is consistently obtained at the conditions possessing higher Nusselt number. At similar conditions, S-HTTs consistently give a higher thermal performance factor than D-HTTs and T-HTTs; the maximum thermal performance factors given by S-HTTs with w/D of 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2 are 1.34, 1.31, and 1.29, respectively (at Reynolds number of 6000). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of helical screw tape coupled with rib turbulators (HST-R) on thermohydraulic characteristics in a circular tube has been experimentally investigated. The experiments were performed under constant heat flux condition for Reynolds number between 6,000 and 20,000. The rib-pitch ratio (p/D) was varied from 1.0 to 3.0 while rib-height ratio (e/W) was varied from 0.5 to 1.5. The experimental results revealed that heat transfer and friction factor increase with increasing rib-height ratio (e/W) and decreasing rib-pitch ratio (p/D). For the range examined, the HST-Rs with moderate rib-pitch ratio (p/D = 2) and the largest rib-height ratio (e/W = 1.5) gave the maximum thermal performance factor while HST possessed thermal performance factor around average value of those of the tubes with HSTRs. The developed empirical correlations for Nusselt number, friction factor and thermal performance factor gave the predictions within ±4.4%, ±13% and ±4.2%, respectively as compared to the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The influence of baffle turbulators on heat transfer augmentation in a rectangular channel has been investigated experimentally and numerically. In the experiment, the baffles are placed in a zigzag shape (Z-shaped baffle) aligned in series on the isothermal-fluxed top wall, similar to the absorber plate of a solar air heater channel. The aim at using the Z-baffles is to create co-rotating vortex flows having a significant influence on the flow turbulence intensity leading to higher heat transfer enhancement in the tested channel. Effects of the Z-baffle height and pitch spacing length are examined to find the optimum thermal performance for the Reynolds number from 4400 to 20,400. The Z-baffles inclined to 45° relative to the main flow direction are characterized at three baffle- to channel-height ratios (e/H =0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) and baffle pitch ratios (P/H =1.5, 2 and 3). The experimental results show a significant effect of the presence of the Z-baffle on the heat transfer rate and friction loss over the smooth channel with no baffle. The Nusselt number, friction factor and thermal performance enhancement factor for the in-phase 45° Z-baffles are found to be considerably higher than those for the out-phase 45° Z-baffle at a similar operating condition. The in-phase 45° Z-baffle with larger e/H provides higher heat transfer and friction loss than the one with smaller e/H while the shorter pitch length yields the higher Nu, f and TEF than the larger one. The numerical work is also conducted to investigate the flow friction and heat transfer behaviors in the channel mounted with the 45° Z-baffles, and the numerical results are found in good agreement with experimental data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Twisted tape insert was applied as a swirling flow generator for the passive heat transfer enhancement in the present work. The influences of the perforated twisted tapes (PTs) on the heat transfer, pressure loss and thermal performance characteristics were investigated experimentally. The experiments were performed under uniform wall heat flux condition by using PTs with y/W = 3, 4 and 5, d/W = 0.11, 0.14 and 0.17 and s/W = 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 where y is a twist length, d is a perforation hole diameter, s is a spacing between holes (pitch) and W is a tape width. The experimental results reveal that Nusselt number increased with decreasing s/W and y/W and increasing d/W. For the present range, the maximum heat transfer was obtained by utilizing the tape with s/W = 0.4, d/W = 0.17 and y/W = 3, which is higher than those obtained from the plain tube with and without typical twisted tape by around 27.4 and 86.7%, respectively. In addition, the empirical correlations for Nusselt number, friction factor and thermal performance are also proposed in the present paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Experimental investigations have been carried out to study the effect of combined wedge ribs and winglet type vortex generators (WVGs) on heat transfer and friction loss behaviors for turbulent airflow through a constant heat flux channel. To create a reverse flow in the channel, two types of wedge (right-triangle) ribs are introduced: wedge ribs pointing downstream and pointing upstream. The arrangements of both rib types placed inside the opposite channel walls are in-line and staggered arrays. To generate longitudinal vortex flows through the tested section, two pairs of the WVGs with the attack angle of 60° are mounted on the test channel entrance. The test channel has an aspect ratio, AR=10 and height, H =30mm with a rib height, e/H =0.2 and rib pitch, P/H =1.33. The flow rate in terms of Reynolds numbers is based on the inlet hydraulic diameter of the channel ranging from 5000 to 22,000. The presence of the combined ribs and the WVGs shows the significant increase in heat transfer rate and friction loss over the smooth channel. The Nusselt number and friction factor values obtained from combined the ribs and the WVGs are found to be much higher than those from the ribs/WVGs alone. In conjunction with the WVGs, the in-line wedge pointing downstream provides the highest increase in both the heat transfer rate and the friction factor while the staggered wedge pointing upstream yields the best thermal performance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper presents a comparative investigation of enhanced heat transfer and pressure loss by insertion of single twisted tape, full-length dual and regularly-spaced dual twisted tapes as swirl generators, in a round tube under axially uniform wall heat flux (UHF) conditions. The investigation encompassed the Reynolds number based on the inlet tube diameter (D) ranging from 4000 to 19,000. The experiments are performed using single twisted tapes and full-length dual twisted tapes with three different twist ratios (y/w =3.0, 4.0 and 5.0) and also regularly-spaced dual twisted tapes with three different space ratios (s/D =0.75, 1.5 and 2.25). The effects of major parameters on heat transfer and friction factor are discussed and the results from both single and dual twisted tape inserts are compared with those from the plain tube. The result shows that the heat transfer of the tube with dual twisted tapes is higher than that of the plain tube with/without single twisted tape insert. For both single twisted tape and full-length dual twisted tapes, Nusselt number (Nu) and friction factor (f) tend to increase with decreasing twist ratio (y/w). The average Nusselt number and friction factor in the tube fitted with the full-length dual twisted tapes at y/w =3.0, 4.0 and 5.0, are respectively 146%, 135% and 128%; and 2.56, 2.17 and 1.95 times of those in the plain tube. For the regularly-spaced dual twisted tapes, the heat transfer rate is decreased with increasing space ratio (s/D). The average Nusselt numbers in the tube fitted with the regularly-spaced dual twisted tapes (s/D) of 0.75, 1.5 and 2.25 are respectively, 140%, 137% and 133% of that in the plain tube. With the similar trend mentioned above, all dual twisted tapes with free spacing yield lower heat transfer enhancement in comparison with the full-length dual twisted tapes (s/D =0.0). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Friction and compound heat transfer behaviors in a dimpled tube fitted with a twisted tape swirl generator are investigated experimentally using air as working fluid. The effects of the pitch and twist ratio on the average heat transfer coefficient and the pressure loss are determined in a circular tube with the fully developed flow for the Reynolds number in the range of 12,000 to 44,000. The experiments are performed using two dimpled tubes with different pitch ratios of dimpled surfaces (PR =0.7 and 1.0) and three twisted tapes with three different twist ratios (y/w =3, 5, and 7). Experiments using plain tube and dimpled tube acting alone are also carried out for comparison. The experimental results reveal that both heat transfer coefficient and friction factor in the dimpled tube fitted with the twisted tape, are higher than those in the dimple tube acting alone and plain tube. It is also found that the heat transfer coefficient and friction factor in the combined devices increase as the pitch ratio (PR) and twist ratio (y/w) decrease. In addition, an empirical correlation based on the experimental results of the present study is sufficiently accurate for prediction the heat transfer (Nu) and friction factor (f) behaviors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work presents an experimental study on the mean Nusselt number, friction factor and enhancement efficiency characteristics in a round tube with short-length twisted tape insert under uniform wall heat flux boundary conditions. In the experiments, measured data are taken at Reynolds numbers in a turbulent region with air as the test fluid. The full-length twisted tape is inserted into the tested tube at a single twist ratio of y/w =4.0 while the short-length tapes mounted at the entry test section are used at several tape length ratios (LR = l s/l f) of 0.29, 0.43, 0.57 and 1.0 (full-length tape). The short-length tape is introduced as a swirling flow device for generating a strong swirl flow at the tube entry before decaying along the tube. On the other hand, the full-length tape (LR =1.0) is expected to produce a strongly swirling flow over the whole tube. The variation of heat transfer and pressure loss in the form of Nusselt number (Nu) and friction factor (f) respectively is determined and depicted graphically. The experimental result indicates that the short-length tapes of LR =0.29, 0.43 and 0.57 perform lower heat transfer and friction factor values than the full-length tape around 14%, 9.5% and 6.7%; and 21%, 15.3% and 10.5%, respectively. In addition, it is apparent that the enhancement efficiency of the tube with the short-length tape insert is found to be lower than that with the full-length one. The mean deviation between measured and correlated values of the Nusselt number is in the order of ±7% in the range of Reynolds numbers from 4000 to 20,000. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Experiments are conducted to assess turbulent forced convection heat transfer and friction loss behaviors for air flow through a constant heat flux channel fitted with different shaped ribs. The rib cross-sections used in the present study are triangular (isosceles), wedge (right-triangular) and rectangular shapes. Two rib arrangements, namely, in-line and staggered arrays, are introduced. Measurements are carried out for a rectangular channel of aspect ratio, AR=15 and height, H =20 mm with single rib height, e =6 mm and rib pitch, P =40 mm. The flow rate is in terms of Reynolds numbers based on the inlet hydraulic diameter of the channel in a range of 4000 to 16,000. The experimental results show a significant effect of the presence of the ribs on the heat transfer rate and friction loss over the smooth wall channel. The in-line rib arrangement provides higher heat transfer and friction loss than the staggered one for a similar mass flow rate. In comparison, the wedge rib pointing downstream yields the highest increase in both the Nusselt number and the friction factor but the triangular rib with staggered array shows better thermal performance over the others. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Experimental investigation of heat transfer and friction factor characteristics in a double pipe heat exchanger fitted with regularly spaced twisted tape elements, were studied. The inner and outer diameters of the inner tube are 50.6 and 25.8 mm, respectively and cold and hot water were used as working fluids in shell side and tube side. The twisted tapes were made of the stainless steel strip with thickness of 1 mm and the length of 1500 mm. They were inserted in the test tube section in two different cases: (1) full-length typical twisted tape at different twisted ratios (y =6.0 and 8.0), and (2) twisted tape with various free space ratios (S =1.0, 2.0, and 3.0). The results, obtained from the tube with twisted tape insert, were compared with those without twisted tape. The results show that the heat transfer coefficient increased with twist ratio (y). Whereas the increase in the free space ratio (S) would improve both the heat transfer coefficient and friction factor. The results from each case were correlated for Nusselt number and friction factor. Subsequently, the predicted Nusselt number and friction factor from the correlations were plotted to compare with the experimental data. It was found that Nusselt number was within ±15% and ±10% for friction factor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article puts forward three-dimensional computational research on heat transmission augmentation within a square channel containing 45o V-type double-baffles positioned on the lower and top parts at regular intervals in the turbulence zone for Reynolds numbers (Re) that vary from 3000 to 20,000. The primary goal of this research is to increase the thermal effectiveness and relative Nusselt number (Nu/Nu 0), in order to conserve energy and reduce the size of the heating or cooling system. The simulations utilize a finite volume approach in common with the SIMPLE algorithm, whereas the turbulent model used is the realizable k–ε. The baffles are designed to be separated vertically for reducing pressure loss. Both single V-baffles and double V-baffles have four relative pitches (PR = 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, and 1.0) and height/blockage ratios (BR = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2), with a fixed attack angle (α) of 45o. The computational findings show that both V-baffles are capable of producing the primary vortices, but only the double V-baffles have the ability to provide the impinging streams onto the wall, cooling the region behind the baffles. This suggests that the double V-baffles not only boost heat transmission but also reduce frictional loss. When compared to a single V-baffle, the double ones enhance heat transfer by an average of 1.04–9.94% while decreasing frictional loss by an average of 9.88–31.73%. The thermal effectiveness factor (TEF) of the double V-baffles ranges from 1.03 to 3.21, and its peak value of around 3.21 is for PR = 0.4, BR = 0.05, at lower Re. • A novel V-type double-baffle is proposed for improving thermal effectiveness. • The double-V-baffle creates impinging jets on the wall apart from the main vortex flows. • The double-V-baffle gives a higher Nu but much lower f than the single-V-baffle. • The double-V-baffle's effectiveness is up to 21% greater than the single-V-baffle. • Optimal thermal effectiveness points are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports the effects of alternate axis twisted baffle geometric parameters on the heat transfer and flow characteristics within rectangular channels. In our experiments we used modified shapes of alternate axis twisted baffles according to relative pitch ratios (s/w) equal to 2–12 and twist ratios (y/w) equal to 1–5, under conditions where the angle of attack (α) was 90° and the relative blockage height (e/Dh) was at a constant value of 0.095. The results for the Reynolds numbers based on the duct hydraulic diameter ranged from 9000 to 24,000 at a constant Prandtl number, Pr = 0.707, using air as a working fluid. A 0.05 mm thick stainless-steel foil was used as a heater, and a thermochromic liquid crystal technique was used to obtain the local temperature distribution on the heated surfaces. Images were captured in areas with periodic, fully developed regions in the channel. The results show that rectangular channels equipped with alternate axis twisted baffles demonstrated 80%–185% greater heat transfer than rectangular channels with no baffles. Channels with alternate axis twisted baffles at higher twist ratios (y/w) and smaller relative pitch ratios (s/w) showed increased heat transfer, as well as pressure loss within the system, compared with other types of twisted baffles. The thermal enhancement factor of the rectangular channels equipped with alternate axis twisted baffles was higher than that for transverse baffles and smooth channels under similar operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on heat transfer augmentation in a solar air heater channel fitted with multiple V-baffle vortex generators (BVG). During the test air was passed through the test channel under a uniform wall heat-flux of the absorber plate. The fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are presented for Reynolds numbers based on the channel hydraulic diameter ranging from 4000 to 21,000. The V-baffles are applied at a relative baffle height (in terms of blockage ratio, BR = b / H = 0.25) and attack angle of 45° with respect to the main flow direction. The use of BVG in the channel is to generate multiple longitudinal vortex flows through the test channel to increase turbulence intensity and stronger mixing of fluid between the core and the near-wall flow. Influences of three different baffle-pitch to channel-height ratios (PR = P / H = 0.5, 1 and 2) on heat transfer and pressure drop in terms of respective Nusselt number and friction factor (or energy loss for propelling air through the channel) are examined. Three BVG arrangements, namely, one BVG wall (or single BVG), in-line and staggered BVGs on two opposite walls are also investigated. The experimental result reveals that the smaller PR provides the highest heat transfer and friction factor for all BVGs. The in-line BVG yields higher heat transfer and friction loss than the staggered and the single BVG. However, the single BVG with PR = 0.5 yields the highest thermal performance. To shed light of heat transfer mechanism, a numerical work is also conducted to investigate heat transfer and flow friction characteristics in the channel fitted with 45° BVGs and in comparison, the numerical results are in good agreement with experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The paper presents an experimental study on turbulent flow and heat transfer characteristics in a solar air heater channel fitted with combined wavy-rib and groove turbulators. The experiments are performed by controlling the airflow rate to obtain Reynolds numbers in the range of 4000 to 21,000. To produce recirculation flow in the tested channel having a constant heat-flux on the upper wall only, the triangular wavy ribs are placed repeatedly on the tested grooved channel walls. Three test cases of different rib-pitch to channel-height ratios (PR= P/H =0.5, 1 and 2) with a single rib-to-channel height ratio (BR= b/H =0.25) are introduced in the present work. The wavy ribs are placed with the attack angle of 45° relative to main flow direction. There are three types of rib arrangements, namely, rib-groove on the upper wall only, inline rib-groove, and staggered rib-inline groove on two principal walls. The experimental result reveals that the combined rib-groove on both the upper and lower walls of the test channel provides the highest heat transfer rate and friction factor in comparison with the smooth channel with/without ribs. However, the ribbed-grooved upper wall at PR=0.5 yields the highest thermal performance. The combined rib-groove turbulator is found to be considerably higher thermal performance than the groove alone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present work, heat transfer and friction characteristics were experimentally investigated, employing louvered strips inserted in a concentric tube heat exchanger. The louvered strip was inserted into the tube to generate turbulent flow which helped to increase the heat transfer rate of the tube. The flow rate of the tube was in a range of Reynolds number between 6000 and 42,000. The turbulent flow devices were consisted of (1) the louvered strips with forward or backward arrangements, and (2) the louvered strip with various inclined angles (θ=15°, 25° and 30°), inserted in the inner tube of the heat exchanger. In the experiment, hot water was flowed through the inner tube whereas cold water was flowed in the annulus. The experimental data obtained were compared with those from plain tubes of published data. Experimental results confirmed that the use of louvered strips leads to a higher heat transfer rate over the plain tube. The increases in average Nusselt number and friction loss for the inclined forward louvered strip were 284% and 413% while those for the backward louvered strip were 263% and 233% over the plain tube, respectively. In addition, the use of the louvered strip with backward arrangement leads to better overall enhancement ratio than that with forward arrangement around 9% to 24%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Turbulent convective heat transfer characteristics in a helical-ribbed tube fitted with twin twisted tapes have been investigated experimentally. The experiment was carried out in a double tube heat exchanger using the helical-ribbed tube having a single rib-height to tube-diameter ratio, e/D H =0.06 and rib-pitch to diameter ratio, P/D H =0.27 as the tested section. The insertion of the double twisted tapes with twist ratio, Y, in the range of 2.17 to 9.39 is to create vortex flows inside the tube. The inserted ribbed tube is arranged in similar directions of the helical swirl of the twisted tape and the helical rib motion of the tube (called co-swirl). Effects of the co-swirl motion of the ribbed tube and the double twisted tapes with various twist ratios on heat transfer and friction characteristics are examined. The results obtained from the ribbed tube and the twin twisted tape insert are compared with those from the smooth tube and the ribbed tube acting alone. The experimental results reveal that the co-swirling inserted tube performs much better than the ribbed/smooth tube alone at a similar operating condition. The co-swirl tube at Y ≈8 yields the highest thermal performance at lower Reynolds number (Re). In addition, the correlations of Nusselt number and friction factor as functions of Re, Pr and Y are also proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The article presents a numerical investigation on laminar flow and heat transfer characteristics in a three-dimensional isothermal wall square-channel fitted with inline 45° V-shaped baffles on two opposite walls. The computations based on the finite volume method with the SIMPLE algorithm have been conducted for the airflow in terms of Reynolds numbers ranging from 200 to 2000. The inline V-baffles with its V-tip pointing downstream and the attack angle (or half V-apex angle) of 45° relative to the flow direction are mounted repeatedly on the lower and upper walls. The baffled channel flow shows a fully developed periodic flow and heat transfer profile for BR =0.2 at x/D≈8 downstream of the inlet. Influences of different baffle height ratios (BR) and pitch ratios, (PR) on thermal behaviors for a fully developed periodic condition are investigated. It is apparent that the longitudinal counter-rotating vortex flows created by the V-baffle can induce impingement/attachment flows over the walls resulting in greater increase in heat transfer over the test channel. Apart from speeding up the fully developed periodic flow pattern, the rise of the BR leads to the increase in Nu/Nu 0 and f/f 0 values while that of the PR provides an opposite trend. The V-baffle performs better than the angled baffle at a similar condition. The V-baffle with BR =0.2 and PR =1.5 yields the maximum thermal performance of about 3.8 whereas the Nu/Nu 0 is some 14 times above the smooth channel at higher Re. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A numerical work has been conducted to examine turbulent periodic flow and heat transfer characteristics in a three dimensional square-duct with inline 60° V-shaped discrete thin ribs placed on two opposite heated walls. The isothermal-flux condition is applied only to the upper and lower duct walls while the two sidewalls are insulated, similar to internal passage cooling of gas turbine blades. The computations are based on the finite volume method with the SIMPLE algorithm for handling the pressure–velocity coupling. Air is the working fluid with the flow rate in terms of Reynolds numbers ranging from 10,000 to 25,000. The numerical result is validated with available square-rib measured data and found to agree well with measurement. The computation reveals that the ribbed duct flow is fully developed periodic flow and heat transfer profiles at about x/D =7–11 downstream of the inlet. Effects of different rib height to duct diameter ratios, BR, on thermal characteristics for a periodic ribbed duct flow are investigated. It is found that a pair of counter-rotating vortices (P-vortex) caused by the rib can induce impingement/attachment flows on the walls leading to greater increase in heat transfer over the test duct. In addition, the rise of BR values leads to the increase in heat transfer and friction loss. The maximum thermal performance is around 1.8 for the rib with BR =0.0725 where the heat transfer rate is about 4.0 times above the smooth duct at lower Reynolds number. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Effects of combined ribs and winglet type vortex generators (WVGs) on forced convection heat transfer and friction loss behaviors for turbulent airflow through a constant heat flux channel are experimentally investigated in the present work. The cross-section of the ribs placed inside the opposite channel walls to create a reverse flow is an isosceles triangle shape. Two rib arrangements, namely, in-line and staggered arrays, are introduced. Also, two pairs of the WVGs with various attack angles (α) of 60°, 45° and 30° are mounted on the test duct entrance to create a longitudinal vortex flow through the test channel. Measurements are carried out for a rectangular duct of aspect ratio, AR=10 and height, H =30mm with a single rib height, e/H =0.13 and rib pitch, P/H =1.33. The flow rate is in terms of Reynolds numbers based on the inlet hydraulic diameter of the channel ranging from 5000 to 22,000. The experimental results show a significant effect of the presence of the rib turbulator and the WVGs on the heat transfer rate and friction loss over the smooth wall channel. The values of Nusselt number and friction factor for utilizing both the rib and the WVGs are found to be considerably higher than those for using the rib or the WVGs alone. The larger the attack angle value leads to higher heat transfer and friction loss than the lower one. The in-line rib together with the WVGs provides higher heat transfer and friction loss than the staggered one for similar operating conditions. In common with the WVGs, the in-line rib yields the highest increase in both the Nusselt number and the friction factor but the rib with staggered array shows better thermal performance than the others. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]