Use of porous baffles to enhance heat transfer in a rectangular channel

An experimental investigation was carried out to measure module average heat transfer coefficients in uniformly heated rectangular channel with wall mounted porous baffles. Baffles were mounted alternatively on top and bottom of the walls. Heat transfer coefficients and pressure loss for periodically fully developed flow and heat transfer were obtained for different types of porous medium (10, 20, and 40 pores per inch (PPI)) with two window cut ratios (B_h/D_h=1/3 and 2/3) and two baffle thickness to channel hydraulic diameter ratios (B_t/D_h=1/3 and 1/12). Reynolds number (Re) was varied from 20,000 to 50,000. To compare the effect of foam metal baffle, the data for conventional solid-type baffle were obtained for (B_t/D_h=1/3). The maximum uncertainties associated with module Nusselt number and friction factor were 5.8% and 4.3% respectively. The experimental procedure was validated by comparing the data for the straight channel with no baffles (B_h/D_h=0) with those in the literature [Publications in Engineering, vol. 2, University of California, Berkeley, 1930, p. 443; Int. Chem. Eng. 16 (1976) 359]. The use of porous baffles resulted in heat transfer enhancement as high as 300% compared to heat transfer in straight channel with no baffles. However, the heat transfer enhancement per unit increase in pumping power was less than one for the range of parameters studied in this work. Correlation equations were developed for heat transfer enhancement ratio and heat transfer enhancement per unit increase in pumping power in terms of Reynolds number.     

Numerical investigation of laminar heat transfer in a square channel with 45° inclined baffles

A numerical investigation of laminar periodic flow and heat transfer in a three-dimensional isothermal-wall square channel fitted with 45° inclined baffles on one channel wall is carried out in the present work. The finite volume method is introduced and the SIMPLE algorithm has been implemented for all computations. The fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are presented for Reynolds numbers ranging from 100 to 1200. The 45° baffle mounted only on the lower channel wall has a height of b and an axial pitch length (L) equal to channel height (H). Effects of flow blockage ratios, BR = b/H = 0.1–0.5, on heat transfer and pressure loss in the square channel are examined and also compared with the typical case of the transverse baffle (or 90° baffle). It is found that apart from the rise of Reynolds number, the increase in the blockage ratio with the attack angle (α) of 45° results in considerable increases in the Nusselt number and friction factor values. The use of the 45° baffle can help to generate a streamwise main vortex flow throughout the channel leading to fast and chaotic mixing of flow between the core and the wall regions. In addition, the computational results reveal that the significant increase in heat transfer rate is due to impingement jets induced by a longitudinal vortex pair (P-vortex) of flow, appearing on the upper, lower and baffle trailing end side walls. The appearance of vortex-induced impingement flows created by the baffles leads to the maximum thermal enhancement factor of about 2.2 at BR = 0.4 and Re = 1200. The enhancement factor of the 45° baffle investigated is found to be higher than that of the 90° baffle for all Reynolds numbers and baffle heights.     

Numerical analysis of laminar heat transfer in a channel with diamond-shaped baffles

Laminar periodic flow and heat transfer in a two dimensional horizontal channel with isothermal walls and with staggered diamond-shaped baffles is investigated numerically. The computations are based on the finite volume method, and the SIMPLE algorithm has been implemented. The fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are presented for Reynolds numbers based on the hydraulic diameter of the channel ranging from 100 to 600. Effects of different baffle tip angles on heat transfer and pressure loss in the channel are studied and the results of the diamond baffle are also compared with those of the flat baffle. It is observed that apart from the rise of Reynolds number, the reduction of the baffle angle leads to an increase in the Nusselt number and friction factor. The computational results reveal that optimum thermal performance is at the baffle angle of 5° for baffle height and spacing of 0.5 and 1 times of the channel height, respectively. The thermal performance of the 5°–10°diamond baffle is found to be higher than that of the flat baffle for all Reynolds numbers used.     

The effect of the inclined perforated baffle on heat transfer and flow patterns in the channel

The effect of a number of inclined perforated baffles on the flow patterns and heat transfer in the rectangular channel with different types of baffles is numerically and experimentally checked out. Reynolds numbers are varied between 23,000 and 57,000. The SST k − ω turbulence model is used in the method to predict turbulent flow. The baffles have the width of 19.8 cm, the square diamond type hole having one side length of 2.55 cm, and the inclination angle of 5°. The results show that the flow patterns around the holes are entirely different with different numbers of holes and it significantly affects the local heat transfer, and two baffles provide greater heat transfer performances than a single baffle.     

Heat transfer enhancement in self-sustained oscillatory flow in a staggered baffled vertical channel under the buoyancy effect

Unsteady laminar heat transfer enhancement in asymmetrically heated vertical baffled channel under buoyancy effect is investigated numerically. The baffles are installed on the two walls in an offset manner with constant spacing. The governing equations are solved by the finite volume formulation using openFoam© open-source code. Air (Pr?=?0.71) is used as working fluid. The effects of Reynolds number (100–1400) and Grashof number (2.5?×?10⁴ to 2?×?10⁵) in addition to the baffle height (0.1–0.5) on heat transfer and friction factor are studied. The results are given in the form of dimensionless isotherm contours and streamlines in addition to the Nusselt number and friction factor. The results obtained revealed that the flow bifurcates to self-sustained oscillatory flow at moderate Reynolds number (below 600 for a blockage ratio of 0.25). The unsteady self-sustained flow leads to heat transfer enhancement up to 2.8 times for baffle height h_b?=?0.25 and up to 3.7 when compared to the smooth channel. Unfortunately, this heat transfer is accompanied by an important increase in pumping power.     

Laminar periodic flow and heat transfer in square channel with 45° inline baffles on two opposite walls

A numerical investigation has been carried out to examine laminar flow and heat transfer characteristics in a three-dimensional isothermal wall square channel with 45°-angled baffles. The computations are based on the finite volume method, and the SIMPLE algorithm has been implemented. The fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are presented for Reynolds numbers based on the hydraulic diameter of the channel ranging from 100 to 1000. To generate a pair of mainstreamwise vortex flows through the tested section, baffles with an attack angle of 45° are mounted in tandem and inline arrangement on the lower and upper walls of the channel. Effects of different baffle heights on heat transfer and pressure loss in the channel are studied and the results of the 45° inline baffle are also compared with those of the 90° transverse baffle and the 45° staggered baffle. It is apparent that in each of the main vortex flows, a pair of streamwise twisted vortex (P-vortex) flows created by the 45° baffle exist and help to induce impinging flows on a sidewall and wall of the baffle cavity leading to drastic increase in heat transfer rate over the channel. In addition, the rise in the baffle height results in the increase in the Nusselt number and friction factor values. The computational results reveal that numerical results of both the 45° inline and staggered baffles are nearly the same. The optimum thermal enhancement factor is at the 45° baffle height of 0.2 times of the channel height for both arrays. The maximum thermal enhancement factor of the 45° baffle in the Re range studied is found to be about 2.6 or twice higher than that of the 90° transverse baffle.     

Heat transfer and friction behaviors in rectangular channels with varying number of ribbed walls

An experimental study of surface heat transfer and friction characteristics of a fully developed turbulent air flow in a square channel with transverse ribs on one, two, three, and four walls is reported. Tests were performed for Reynolds numbers ranging from 10,000 to 80,000. The pitch-to-rib height ratio, P/e, was kept at 8 and rib-height-to-channel hydraulic diameter ratio, e/D_h was kept at 0.0625. The channel length-to-hydraulic diameter ratio, L/D_h, was 20. The heat transfer coefficient and friction factor results were enhanced with the increase in the number of ribbed walls. The friction roughness function, R(e⁺), was almost constant over the entire range of tests performed and was within comparable limits of the previously published data. The heat transfer roughness function, G(e⁺), increased with roughness Reynolds number and compared well with previous work in this area. Both correlations could be used to predict the friction factor and heat transfer coefficient in a rectangular channel with varying number of ribbed walls. The results of this investigation could be used in various applications of turbulent internal channel flows involving different number of rib roughened walls.     

Turbulent unsteady flow and heat transfer in channels with periodically mounted square bars

A numerical investigation was conducted to analyze the unsteady turbulent flowfield and heat transfer characteristics in a channel with streamwise periodically mounted square bars arranged side-by-side to the approaching flow. The transverse separation distance between the bars is varied, whereas the bar height to channel height (d/H) are 0.152 and 0.2, the Reynolds number Re based on channel height is 2×10⁴ and the periodicity length is 2H. The channel walls are subjected to a constant wall temperature. The k-ε turbulence model was used in conjunction with the Reynolds-averaged momentum and energy equations for the simulations. A finite volume technique is applied with a fine grid and time resolution. Complex periodic vortex shedding develops in the channel due the interaction between the two streamwise periodically mounted square bars. Results show that the unsteady flow behavior, pressure drop and heat transfer are strongly dependent of the transverse separation distance of the bars.     

Numerical study of hydrodynamic and heat transfer of nanofluid flow in microchannels containing micromixer

In this study heat transfer and fluid flow of Al₂O₃/water nanofluid in two dimensional parallel plate microchannel without and with micromixers have been investigated for nanoparticle volume fractions of ϕ = 0, ϕ = 4%  and base fluid Reynolds numbers of Re_f = 5, 20, 50. One baffle on the bottom wall and another on the top wall work as a micromixer and heat transfer enhancement device. A single-phase finite difference FORTRAN code using Projection method has been written to solve governing equations with constant wall temperature boundary condition. The effect of various parameters such as nanoparticle volume fraction, base fluid Reynolds number, baffle distance, height and order of arrangement have been studied. Results showed that the presence of baffles and also increasing the Re number and nanoparticle volume fraction increase the local and averaged heat transfer and friction coefficients. Also, the effect of nanoparticle volume fraction on heat transfer coefficient is more than the friction coefficient in most of the cases. It was found that the main mechanism of enhancing heat transfer or mixing is the recirculation zones that are created behind the baffles. The size of these zones increases with Reynolds number and baffle height. The fluid pushing toward the wall by the opposed wall baffle and reattaching of separated flow are the locations of local maximum heat transfer and friction coefficients.     

Experimental study of thermal behaviors in a rectangular channel with baffle of pores

This experimental study attempts to explore the local heat transfer in rectangular channel with baffles, and analyzes the experimental results of baffles with different heights and pores in the event of five Reynolds numbers and three heating quantities. Apart from increasing the perturbation of flow field, the channel's flow field with baffles, which is similar to a backward-facing step flow field, is very helpful to heat transfer. To obtain an optimized baffle and increase the perturbation of flow field, this experiment employed baffles with five heights (H = 10–50 mm) and different numbers of pores (N = 1–3), as well as heat flux: Q = 40–100 l/min, Reynolds number: 702–1752, and heating quantity: q_in = 90–750 W/m². In addition to measurement of overall temperature distribution, emphasis is also placed on analysis of local heat transfer coefficient. Furthermore, heat transfer distribution of channel can be applied to explain how the baffles of pores have an influence upon backward-facing step flow field, shear layer, recirculation region, reattachment region and redeveloped boundary layer. Finally, some empirical formulas derived form experimental results may provide a reference for future design.     

Laminar periodic flow and heat transfer in a rectangular channel with triangular wavy baffles

This paper presents a numerical analysis of laminar periodic flow and heat transfer in a rectangular constant temperature-surfaced channel with triangular wavy baffles (TWBs).The TWBs were mounted on the opposite walls of the rectangular channel with inline arrangements.The TWBs are placed on the upper and lower walls with attack angle 45?.The numerical is performed with three dif-ferent baffle height ratios (BR=b/H=0.05 0.3) at constant pitch ratio (PR) of 1.0 for the range 100 ≤ Re ≤ 1000.The computational results are shown in the topology of flow and heat transfer.It is found that the heat transfer in the channel with the TWB is more effective than that without baffle.The in-crease in the blockage ratio,BR leads to a considerable increase in the Nusselt number and friction factor.The results indicate that at low BR,a fluid flow is significantly disturbed resulting in inefficient heat transfer.As BR increases,both heat transfer rate in terms of Nusselt number and pressure drop in terms of friction factor increase.Over the range examined,the maximum Nu/Nu0 of 7.3 and f/f0 of 126 are both found with the use of the baffles with BR=0.30 at Re=1000.In addition,the flow structure and temperature field in the channel with TWBs are also reported.     

The Influence of Baffles on the Natural Convection in Trapezoidal Cavities

This article presents an investigation into natural convection in trapezoidal cavities. It examines a cavity whose floor and upper inclined walls are both adiabatic, while the vertical walls are isothermal. For these isothermal walls, we consider two thermal boundary conditions. Under the first condition, the short wall on the left side is heated as the tall one on the right side is cooled. The second condition is the reverse of the first—the short wall is cooled as the tall one is heated. Considering laminar conditions and a two-dimensional system, steady-state computations are carried out to assess the effects of one and two baffles, the baffle's height (H _b ), Rayleigh number, 10³ ≤ Ra ≤ 10⁶, and three Prandtl number values. To demonstrate the various effects, the results from several designed case studies are shown in terms of isotherms, streamlines, and local and average Nusselt numbers in order. Predictions reveal that the second baffle decreases the cavity's fluid flow and heat transfer. As the height of the baffle rises, the heat transfer drops drastically. Also, two baffles produce more pronounced thermal stratification than only one.     

Numerical study of laminar flow and heat transfer in square channel with 30° inline angled baffle turbulators

The article presents a numerical investigation on periodic laminar flow and heat transfer behaviors in a three-dimensional isothermal wall square-channel fitted with 30°-angled baffles on two opposite channel walls. The computations based on the finite volume method with the SIMPLE algorithm have been conducted for the fluid flow in terms of Reynolds numbers ranging from 100 to 2000. To generate a pair of streamwise counter-rotating vortex (P-vortex) flows through the tested channel, the angled baffles with the attack angle of 30° are mounted periodically and inline arrangement on the lower and upper channel walls. Effects of different baffle heights and three pitch ratios on heat transfer and flow behaviors in the channel are examined. It appears that P-vortex flows help to induce impinging flows over the baffle leading end side and the inter-baffle cavity walls resulting in drastic increase in heat transfer rate over the test channel. The computational results reveal that the maximum thermal enhancement factors for the baffle with PR = 1, 1.5 and 2 are found to be about 3.6, 3.8 and 4.0 at BR = 0.2, 0.2 and 0.15, respectively.     

Experimental and numerical study on heat transfer enhancement in a channel with Z-shaped baffles

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.     

Numerical simulation of turbulent fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in heat exchangers fitted with porous media

Numerical simulations have been carried out to investigate the turbulent heat transfer enhancement in the pipe filled with porous media. Two-dimensional axisymmetric numerical simulations using the k–? turbulent model is used to calculate the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in a pipe filled with porous media. The parameters studied include the Reynolds number (Re = 5000–15,000), the Darcy number (Da = 10^?1–10^?6), and the porous radius ratio (e = 0.0–1.0). The numerical results show that the flow field can be adjusted and the thickness of boundary layer can be decreased by the inserted porous medium so that the heat transfer can be enhanced in the pipe. The local distributions of the Nusselt number along the flow direction increase with the increase of the Reynolds number and thickness of the porous layer, but increase with the decreasing Darcy number. For a porous radius ratio less than about 0.6, the effect of the Darcy number on the pressure drop is not that significant. The optimum porous radius ratio is around 0.8 for the range of the parameters investigated, which can be used to enhance heat transfer in heat exchangers.     

Experimental study of fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in the square channel with a perforation baffle

This work performed a detailed measurement of local heat transfer coefficients in a square channel with a perforation baffle by using the transient liquid crystal themography. The varied parameters were the Reynolds number, the baffle height, and the hole numbers on the perforation baffle. The results showed that the enhancements of local heat transfer appeared in the leading edge of the baffle due to the impinging effect, which was more significant when Reynolds number became larger or the baffle height became higher. Additionally, the heat transfer coefficients off center were better than those in the center at downstream of the baffle. It might be resulted from two secondary flows, which appeared off center after the airflow passed through the baffle. Baffles with various hole numbers but having same total hole area were also studied to find the heat transfer enhancement. The results depicted that the back facing step flow which had characteristics of backflow and flow reattachment had an important effect on the heat transfer characteristics at downstream of the baffle. Finally, the correlation for the location of the flow reattachment point (X_r) was proposed.     

Thermal protection with liquid film in turbulent mixed convection channel flows

In this numerical study, a channel flow of turbulent mixed convection of heat and mass transfer with film evaporation has been conducted. The turbulent hot air flows downward of the vertical channel and is cooled by the laminar liquid film on both sides of the channel with thermally insulated walls. The effect of gas–liquid phase coupling, variable thermophysical properties and film vaporization are considered in the analysis. In the air stream, the k–ε turbulent model has been utilized to formulate the turbulent flow. Parameters used in this study are the mass flow rate of the liquid film B, Reynolds number Re, and the free stream temperature of the hot air T_o. Results show that the heat flux was dramatically increases due to the evaporation of liquid water film. The heat transfer increases as the mass flow rate of the liquid film decreases, while the Reynolds number and inlet temperature increase, and the influences of the Re and T_o are more significant than that of the liquid flow rate. It is also found that liquid film helps lowering the heat and mass transfer rate from the hot gas in the turbulent channel, especially at the downstream.     

Large eddy simulation of stably stratified turbulent open channel flows with low- to high-Prandtl number

Large eddy simulation of thermally stratified turbulent open channel flows with low- to high-Prandtl number is performed. The three-dimensional filtered Navier-Stokes and energy equations under the Boussinesq approximation are numerically solved using a fractional-step method. Dynamic subgrid-scale (SGS) models for the turbulent SGS stress and heat flux are employed to close the governing equations. The objective of this study is to reveal the effects of both the Prandtl number (Pr) and Richardson (Ri_τ) number on the characteristics of turbulent flow, heat transfer, and large-scale motions in weakly stratified turbulence. The stably stratified turbulent open channel flows are calculated for Pr from 0.1 up to 100, Ri_τ from 0 to 20, and the Reynolds number (Re_τ) 180 based on the wall friction velocity and the channel height. To elucidate the turbulent flow and heat transfer behaviors, some typical quantities, including the mean velocity, temperature and their fluctuations, turbulent heat fluxes, and the structures of the velocity and temperature fluctuations, are analyzed.     

3D simulation of laminar flow and heat transfer in V-baffled square channel

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/Nu₀ and f/f₀ 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/Nu₀ is some 14 times above the smooth channel at higher Re.     

Numerical research on heat transfer and flow resistance performance of specially‐shaped rod baffle heat exchangers

In order to overcome the disadvantages of heat transfer performance in the shell side of the common circular cross section rod baffle heat exchanger with a low Reynolds number, a numerical simulation on fluid flow and heat transfer in the shell side with different types of rod baffles is carried out. The rod baffles include the circular cross section, trigonal cross section, and rhombic cross section. The influence of heat transfer enhancement and flow resistance reduction affected by baffles is summarized. It is indicated that the trigonal and rhombic cross section rod baffles present the better performance of heat transfer enhancement and flow resistance reduction. With the rhombic cross section rod baffles in the shell side, the higher heat transfer coefficient and overall property in the shell side are achieved when Re is lower, and the heat transfer coefficient in the shell side is 10% higher than that of a circular cross section rod baffle at the same Reynolds number. The trigonal and rhombic cross section rod baffles in the shell side give more optional structure forms for expanding the application scope of rod baffle heat exchangers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res; Published online in Wiley Online Library ( wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/htj ). DOI 10.1002/htj.20388