The flow and heat transfer characteristics in a rectangular channel with convergent and divergent slit ribs.

• The novel geometry of channel cooling was presented. • The channel cooling with shaped slit ribs are further explored. • The effect of the convergent and divergent angle on cooling performance are described. Described in this paper is a numerical investigation on the concept for improving thermal performance of internal cooling by placing the convergent and divergent slit ribs. Five different geometrical models are investigated, including the ribs of rectangular slits and trapezoidal slits with different convergent and divergent angles. The effects of slit shape and its convergent or divergent angles on thermal performance of internal cooling are evaluated with the Reynolds numbers ranging from 10,000 to 25,000. Results obtained show that the turbulence intensity in cases with the smallest angle trapezoidal slits are in the highest level, which produces the highest level of heat transfer enhancement and highest level of pressure loss. The thermal performance index, which comprehensively evaluates the thermal performance of internal cooling, shows that the thermal performance in cases with the smallest angle trapezoidal slits are in the highest level due to the increased heat transfer enhancement and limited increase of pressure loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]