Conjugate heat transfer in stratified two-fluid flows with a growing deposit layer

The article presents a numerical model for moving boundary conjugate heat transfer in stratified two-fluid flows with a growing deposit layer. The model is applicable to other general moving boundary conjugate heat transfer problem in a two-fluid flow environment with deposition occurring simultaneously. The level-set method is adopted to capture the fluid-fluid interface and fluid-deposit interface. The governing equations are solved using a finite volume method. Upon verification of the model, the effects of inlet velocity ratio, Damköhler number and thermal conductivity ratio on the flow, deposition as well as heat transfer are investigated. Generally, Nusselt number on the lower wall (with a growing deposit layer), Nu_lx and upper wall, Nu_ux show distinct features with the change of these parameters. Nu_ux increases with the increase of lower fluid layer (fluid 1) inlet velocity and the thermal conductivity of deposit layer while it decreases with the increase of Damkholer number. Nu_lx varies differently in the upstream and the downstream of the channel. A higher lower fluid layer (fluid 1) velocity and a higher thermal conductivity of deposit layer result in a higher Nu_lx upstream but a lower Nu_lx downstream. However, a higher Damkholer number results in a lower Nu_lx upstream and a higher Nu_lx downstream.