Thermal characteristics in a heat exchanger tube fitted with dual twisted tape elements in tandem

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).     

Experimental studies on heat transfer and friction factor characteristics of forced circulation solar water heater system fitted with helical twisted tapes

Experimental investigation of heat transfer, friction factor and thermal performance of twisted tape solar water heater with various twist ratios has been conducted and the results are compared with plain tube collector for the same operating conditions with Reynolds number varied from 3000 to 23,000. Experimental data from plain tube collector is validated with the fundamental equations and found that the discrepancy is less than ±5.35% and ±8.80% for Nusselt number and friction factor, respectively. Correlations have been developed for Nusselt number and friction factor with various twist ratios (Y = 3, 4, 5, 6) and are compared with the experimental values. Results conclude that, heat transfer and pressure drop are higher in twisted tape collector compared to the plain one. Among the various twist ratios, the minimum twist ratio 3 is found to enhance the heat transfer and pressure drop due to swirl generation. As the twist ratio increases, the swirl generation decreases and minimizes the heat transfer and friction factor.     

Heat transfer augmentation in a helical-ribbed tube with double twisted tape inserts

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.     

Studies on heat transfer and friction factor characteristics of thermosyphon solar water heating system with helical twisted tapes

Experimental investigation of heat transfer, friction factor and thermal performance of thermosyphon solar water heater system fitted with helical twisted tape of various twist ratios has been performed and presented. The helical twisted tape induces swirl flow inside the riser tubes, which increases the heat transfer and pressure drop. The empirical correlations developed for Nusselt number and friction factor with various twist ratios (Y = 3, 4, 5, 6) are fitted with the experimental data with a discrepancy of less than ±4.54% and ±6.13% respectively. The results are compared with a plain tube collector at the same operating conditions. Conclusions made from the results show that heat transfer enhancement in twisted tape collector is higher than the plain tube collector with minimum twist ratio and gradually decreases with increase in twist ratio. The overall thermal performance of twisted tape collector is found to increase with increase in solar intensity.     

Heat transfer enhancement in a tube using delta-winglet twisted tape inserts

Heat transfer, flow friction and thermal performance factor characteristics in a tube fitted with delta-winglet twisted tape, using water as working fluid are investigated experimentally. Influences of the oblique delta-winglet twisted tape (O-DWT) and straight delta-winglet twisted tape (S-DWT) arrangements are also described. The experiments are conducted using the tapes with three twist ratios (y/w = 3, 4 and 5) and three depth of wing cut ratios (DR = d/w = 0.11, 0.21 and 0.32) over a Reynolds number range of 3000–27,000 in a uniform wall heat flux tube. The obtained results show that mean Nusselt number and mean friction factor in the tube with the delta-winglet twisted tape increase with decreasing twisted ratio (y/w) and increasing depth of wing cut ratio (DR). It is also observed that the O-DWT is more effective turbulator giving higher heat transfer coefficient than the S-DWT. Over the range considered, Nusselt number, friction factor and thermal performance factor in a tube with the O-DWT are, respectively, 1.04–1.64, 1.09–1.95, and 1.05–1.13 times of those in the tube with typical twisted tape (TT). Empirical correlations for predicting Nusselt number and friction factor have been employed. The predicted data are within ±10% for Nusselt number and ±10% for friction factor.     

Studies on heat transfer and friction factor characteristics of turbulent flow through a micro-finned tube fitted with left–right inserts

Experimental investigation on heat transfer and friction factor characteristics of micro-finned tube fitted with full-length twisted tape and left–right twisted tape inserts of twist ratio 7.44, 8.27 and 11.17 has been presented. The experimental data obtained were compared with those obtained from plain tube published data. The heat transfer coefficient enhancement for left–right twisted inserts is higher than that for full-length twisted tape inserts for a given twist ratio. The empirical correlation for Nusselt number, friction relating Reynolds number and twist ratio was formed for both twisted tape inserts and left–right inserts and found to fit the experimental data within ±3.6% and ±2.5% for Nusselt number and ±7% and ±8.5% friction factor, respectively. Performance evaluation analysis was made and the maximum performance ratio was obtained for left–right twisted tape inserts.     

Convective heat transfer in a circular tube with short-length twisted tape insert

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.     

Heat transfer in square duct fitted diagonally with angle-finned tape—Part 1: Experimental study

The paper presents an experimental study on turbulent flow and heat transfer characteristics in a square duct fitted diagonally with 30° angle-finned tapes. The tested duct has a square section and uniform heat-fluxed walls and the flow rate of air used as the test fluid is presented in terms of Reynolds number from 4000 to 23,000. The angle-finned straight tape in the present work is newly invented without previous investigations available. The insertion of the finned tape is performed with three ratios of fin pitch to duct height (PR = P/H) at the fin attack angle of 30° with respect to the main flow direction. The finned tape inserted diagonally in the duct is expected to generate a longitudinal vortex flow pair through the heated duct. Influences of five fin-to-duct height ratios (BR = b/H = 0.1–0.3) for each fin pitch on thermal and flow friction characteristics of the inserted duct are investigated. The experimental result shows that at smaller fin pitch spacing, the finned tape with BR = 0.3 provides the highest heat transfer and friction factor but the one with BR = 0.2 and PR = 1.0 yields the best thermal performance. The thermal performance of the newly invented finned tape turbulator is found to be much higher than that of the wire coil/twisted tape turbulator.     

Turbulent heat transfer and pressure drop in tube fitted with serrated twisted tape

This paper presents an original experimental study on compound heat transfer enhancement in a tube fitted with serrated twisted tape. The serrations on two sides of the twisted tape with twist ratio of 1.56, 1.88, 2.81 or ∞ are the square-sectioned ribs with the identical rib-pitch and rib-height. The local Nusselt number and Fanning friction factor increase as the twist ratio decreases in the tube fitted with smooth or serrated twisted tape. In the Re range of 5000–25 000, heat transfer augmentation attributed to the serrated twisted tape falls in the range of 250–480% of the plain-tube level. That is about 1.25–1.67 times the heat transfer level in the tube fitted with smooth twisted tape. Fanning friction factors are respectively decreased and increased in the tubes fitted with smooth and serrated twisted tapes as Re increases. Based on the same pumping power consumption, the thermal performances of the tubes with smooth and serrated twisted tapes are compared. A set of empirical correlations that permits the evaluation of the Nusselt number and the Fanning friction factor in the developed flow region for the tubes fitted with smooth and serrated twisted tapes is generated for engineering applications.     

Study on thermal and fluid flow characteristics in turbulent channel flows with multiple twisted tape vortex generators

This research has been performed to study the influences of multiple twisted tape vortex generators (MT-VG) on the heat transfer and fluid friction characteristics in a rectangular channel. The experiments conducted using the twisted tapes with three different twist ratios (y/w = 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5) for generating different swirl and turbulent intensities in the channel. The twisted tapes are assembled to obtained the MT-VG with three different free-spacing ratios, s/w = 1.66 (5 tapes), s/w = 1.25 (7 tapes) and s/w = 1.0 (9 tapes). The results for the Reynolds number ranged from 2700 to 9000 at constant Prandtl number, Pr = 0.7, using air as the test fluid, are examined. In the studied range, the presence of channel with MT-VG leads to increase in heat transfer rate over the use of smooth channel around 10.3 to 169.5%. The channel with the smaller twist ratio (y/w) and free-spacing ratio (s/w) provides higher heat transfer rate and pressure loss than those with the larger of twist ratio and free-spacing ratio under similar operation conditions. In addition, correlations of Nusselt number (Nu) and friction factor (f) have been developed and the thermal enhancement index at constant pumping power is also determined.     

Performance assessment in a heat exchanger tube with alternate clockwise and counter-clockwise twisted-tape inserts

The article presents an experimental study of turbulent heat transfer and flow friction characteristics in a circular tube equipped with two types of twisted tapes: (1) typical twisted tapes and (2) alternate clockwise and counterclockwise twisted tapes (C–CC twisted tapes). Nine different C–CC twisted tapes are tested in the current work; they included the tapes with three twist ratios, y/w = 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0, each with three twist angles, θ = 30^o, 60^o and 90^o. The experiments have been performed over a Reynolds number range of 3000–27,000 under uniform heat flux conditions, using water as working fluid. The obtained results reveal that the C–CC twisted-tapes provide higher heat transfer rate, friction factor and heat transfer enhancement index than the typical twisted-tapes at similar operating conditions. The results also show that the heat transfer rate of the C–CC tapes increases with the decrease of twist ratio and the increase of twist angle values. Depending on Reynolds number, twist ratio and twist angle values, the mean Nusselt numbers in the tube fitted with the C–CC twisted tapes are higher than those with the typical ones and the plain tube around 12.8–41.9% and 27.3–90.5%, respectively. The maximum heat transfer enhancement indexes of the C–CC twisted tapes with θ = 90^o for y/w = 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0, are 1.4, 1.34 and 1.3, respectively. In addition, correlations of the Nusselt number and the friction factor for using the C–CC twisted tapes are also determined. Both predicted Nusselt number and friction factor are within ±15% and ±15% deviation compared to the experimental data.     

Thermohydraulics of turbulent flow through a round tube by a peripherally-cut twisted tape with an alternate axis

The effect of peripherally-cut twisted tape with alternate axis (PT-A) on the fluid flow and heat transfer enhancement characteristic in a uniform heat flux circular tube has been experimentally investigated. Experiments were conducted using water as a testing fluid in a turbulent tube where the Reynolds number was varied from 5000 to 20,000. Peripherally-cut twisted tape (PT) and typical twisted tape (TT) were also tested in similar conditions, for comparison. Evidently, the heat transfer rates in the tube fitted with the PT-A, PT and TT are respectively enhanced up to 184%, 102% and 57% of that in the plain tube. In the present Reynolds number range tested, the PT-A, PT and TT offer the maximum thermal performances at constant pumping power of 1.25, 1.11 and 1.02, respectively. In addition, the correlations of the Nusselt number, friction factor and thermal performance were developed for the tube equipped with the PT-A in terms of peripherally-cut tape width ratio (w/W), Reynolds number (Re) and Prandtl number (Pr).     

Heat transfer enhancement by using CuO/water nanofluid in corrugated tube equipped with twisted tape

Heat transfer enhancement by using CuO/water nanofluid in corrugated tube equipped with twisted tape is presented. The investigated ranges are (1) three different CuO concentrations: 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7% by volume (2) three different twist ratios of twisted tape: y/w = 2.7, 3.6 and 5.3 (3) two different arrangements of twisted direction of twisted tape relative to spiral direction of corrugated tube: parallel and counter arrangements, and (4) Reynolds number from 6200 to 24000. The results achieved from the use of the nanofluid and twisted tape, are compared with those obtained from the uses of nanofluid alone and twisted tape alone. The experimental results reveal that at similar operating conditions, heat transfer rate, friction factor as well as thermal performance factor associated with the simultaneous application of CuO/water nanofluid and twisted tape are higher than those associated with the individual techniques. Evidently, heat transfer rate increases with increasing CuO/water nanofluid concentration and decreasing twist ratio. In addition, the twisted tape coupled with corrugated tube in counter pattern offer higher heat transfer performances than the ones in parallel pattern. Over the range studied, the maximum thermal performance factor 1.57 is found with the use of CuO/water nanofluid at concentration of 0.7% by volume in corrugated tube together with twisted tape at twist ratio (y/w) of 2.7 (in counter arrangement), for Reynolds number of 6200 where heat transfer rate and friction factor increase to 2.67 times and 5.76 times of those in the plain corrugated tube.     

Thermal characteristics in round tube fitted with serrated twisted tape

The article presents an investigation of the effect of twisted tape with serrated-edge insert on heat transfer and pressure loss behaviors in a constant heat-fluxed tube. In the experiments, the serrated twisted tape (STT) was inserted into the entire test tube with a constant twist ratio in order to generate a continuous swirling airflow. Two geometry parameters of the STT to be considered in the present work are the serration width ratio and the serration depth ratio. The measurements have been conducted for the airflow rate based on Reynolds numbers in the turbulent regime from 4000 to 20,000. The experimental results of the STT inserted tube are compared with those of the plain tube fitted with typical twisted tape (TT). The results show that the heat transfer rate in terms of Nusselt number, Nu increases with the rise in the depth ratio but decreases with raising the width ratio. The heat transfer rate is up to 72.2% and 27% relative to the plain tube and the TT inserted tube, respectively. The use of the STT leads to higher heat transfer rate and friction factor than that of the TT for all cases. The thermal performance factor of the STT tube under constant pumping power is evaluated and found to be above unity indicating that using the STT tube is advantageous over the TT tube or the plain tube. In addition, the empirical correlations developed by relating the serration width ratio, serration depth ratio and Reynolds number are determined.     

Laminar heat transfer and friction characteristics of microencapsulated phase change material slurry in a circular tube with twisted tape inserts

It is novel and better method that microencapsulated phase change material (MPCM) slurry and the tube with twisted tape inserts are adopted together to enhance convective heat transfer. In this paper, numerical analyses were carried out to study laminar heat transfer and friction characteristics of MPCM slurry in a circular tube with twisted tape inserts. It is found that the MPCM slurry in the tube with twisted tape insert leads to the best performance of convective heat transfer for the bigger apparent specific heat and the intensive swirl flow. Furthermore, the modified average Nusselt number increases with decreasing bulk Stefan number, twisted ratio and increasing Re, while the friction factor increases with increasing Re and decreasing twisted ratio. It is also found that the heat transfer enhanced efficiency increases with increasing Re and decreasing Ste_b, and the heat transfer enhancement effects of twisted tape for low Ste_b slurry are better than that for high Ste_b slurry. Moreover, the thermal-hydraulic performance ratios increase to a peak, then decrease gradually with increasing Re for different twist ratio. The performance ratio increases with decreasing the twist ratio only in a definite Re range, and the Re range decreases with decreasing twist ratio.     

Experimental investigation of heat transfer and flow friction in a circular tube fitted with regularly spaced twisted tape elements

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.     

Experimental investigation of twisted tape inserts performance on condensation heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop

A comprehensive experimental investigation is conducted on the augmentation of heat transfer coefficients and pressure drop during condensation of HFC-134a in a horizontal tube at the presence of different twisted tape inserts. The test section is a 1.04 m long double-tube counter-flow heat exchanger. The refrigerant flows in the inner copper and the cooling water flows in annulus. The experiments are performed for a plain tube and four tubes with twisted tapes inserts of 6, 9, 12 and 15 twist ratios. The pressure drop is directly measured by a differential pressure transducer. It is found that the twisted tape with twist ratio of 6 gives the highest enhancement in the heat transfer coefficient and the maximum pressure drop compared to the plain tube on a nominal area basis. For this case the enhancement in heat transfer and the pressure drop are increased by 40 and 240% in comparison with to the plain tube. It is observed that the twisted tape with the twist ratio of 9 has the best performance enhancing the heat transfer with the minimum pressure drop. Also empirical correlations are developed to predict smooth tube and swirl flow pressure drop. Predicted results are compared to experimental data and it is found that these correlations are reliable for pressure drop estimation.     

Heat transfer in square duct fitted diagonally with angle-finned tape—Part 2: Numerical study

A numerical work has been conducted to examine turbulent flow and heat transfer characteristics in a three-dimensional isothermal-fluxed square-duct fitted diagonally with 30°-angle finned tapes. The computations are based on the finite volume method with the SIMPLE algorithm implemented. The air flow and heat transfer characteristics in the duct are presented for Reynolds number (Re) in a range of 4000 to 20,000. In the current study, a straight tape with 30°-angled fins mounted repeatedly on both sides is inserted diagonally into the test duct to generate a pair of longitudinal counter-vortices in assisting chaotic flow mixing in the duct including vortex-induced impingement (VI) effect. Effects of fin blockage ratio (BR = b/H) and pitch ratio (PR = L/H) on heat transfer and pressure drop behaviors in the duct are investigated and the results of the finned tape insert are compared with available measurements. The computation reveals that predicted results from the finned tape insert are in good agreement with measured data. The study indicates that the vortex flow can help to induce impingement/reattachment flows (VI effect) on the duct walls leading to drastic increase in the heat transfer rate over the duct. The rise of the BR and the reduction of the PR results in the increase in Nusselt number and friction factor values. The maximum thermal performance is found to be 1.95 for using the finned tape at BR = 0.2 and PR = 1 whereas the Nusselt number ratio is about 4.5 at lower Re.     

Experimental studies on heat transfer and thermal performance characteristics of thermosyphon solar water heating system with helical and Left–Right twisted tapes

Experimental investigation of heat transfer, friction factor and thermal performance of thermosyphon solar water heater system fitted with helical and Left–Right twist of twist ratio 3 has been performed and presented. The helical twisted tape induces swirl flow inside the riser tubes unidirectional over the length. But, in Left–Right system the swirl flow is bidirectional which increases the heat transfer and pressure drop when compared to the helical system. The experimental heat transfer and friction factors characteristics are validated with theoretical equations and the deviation falls with in the acceptable limits. The results show that heat transfer enhancement in twisted tape collector is higher than the plain tube collector. Compared to helical and Left–Right twisted tape system of same twist ratio 3, maximum thermal performance is obtained for Left–Right twisted tape collector with increase in solar intensity.     

Heat transfer performance evaluation for turbulent flow through a tube with twisted wire brush inserts

In the present study, the heat transfer performance and friction factor characteristics in a circular tube fitted with twisted wire brush inserts were investigated experimentally. The twisted wire brush inserts were fabricated with four different twisted wire densities of 100, 150, 200, and 250 wires per centimeter by winding a 1 mm diameter of the copper wire over a 5 mm diameter of two twisted iron core-rods. Heat transfer and friction factor data in tubes were examined for Reynolds number ranging from 7,200 to 50,200. The results indicated that the presence of twisted wire brush inserts led to a large effect on the enhancement of heat transfer with corresponding increase in friction factor over the plain tube. The Nusselt number and friction factor of using the twisted wire brush inserts were found to be increased up to 2.15 and 2.0 times, respectively, than those over the plain tube values. Furthermore, the heat transfer performance was evaluated to assess the real benefits of using those type of inserts and the performance was achieved 1.85 times higher compared to the plain tube based on the constant blower power. Finally, correlations were developed based on the data generated from this work to predict the heat transfer, friction factor, and thermal performance factor for turbulent flow through a circular tube fitted with the twisted wire brush inserts in terms of wire density (y), Reynolds number (Re), and Prandtl number (Pr).