Fluid flow and heat transfer behavior for turbulent flows in a tube with vortex generator pairs for an efficient heat exchanger

Md Islam, Z. Chong, S. Bojanampati

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Various technologies have been developed to enhance flow mixing and heat transfer in order to develop an efficient compact heat exchanging devices. Vortex generators/turbulent promoters generate the vortices which reduce the boundary layer thickness and introduce the better mixing of the fluid to enhance the heat transfer. In this research experimental investigations have been carried out to study the effect of delta winglet vortex generator pairs on heat transfer and flow behavior. To generate longitudinal vortex flow, two pairs of the delta winglet vortex generators (DWVG) with the length of 10mm and winglet-pitch to tube-diameter ratio (PR=4.8) are mounted on the inner wall of a circular tube. The DWVG pairs with two different winglet-height to tube-diameter ratios (Blockage ratio, BR=0.1 and 0.2), three attack angles (α=10°, 20°, 30°) and three spacings between leading edges (S=10, 15 and 20mm) are studied. The experiments were conducted with DWVGs pairs for the air flow range of Reynolds numbers 5000-25000. The influence of the DWVGs on heat transfer and pressure drop was investigated in terms of the Nusselt number and friction factor. The experimental results indicate that DWVG pair in a tube results in a considerable enhancement in Nusselt number (Nu) with some pressure penalty. It is found that DWVG increases Nu up to 85% over the smooth tube. It is also observed that Nusselt number increases with Re, blockage ratio and attack angle. Friction factor decreases with Re but increases with blockage ratio, spacing and attack angle. And 30° DWVG pair with S=20mm, BR=0.2 gets the highest friction factor. The Highest thermal performance enhancement (TPE) was noticed for α =10°, S=20mm, BR=0.2 for turbulent flows. To obtain qualitative information on the flow behavior and vortex structures, flow was visualized by laser sheet using smoke as a tracer supplied at the entrance of the test section. The generation and development of longitudinal vortices influenced by DWVG pairs were clearly observed.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publicationFlow Manipulation and Active Control; Bio-Inspired Fluid Mechanics; Boundary Layer and High-Speed Flows; Fluids Engineering Education; Transport Phenomena in Energy Conversion and Mixing; Turbulent Flows; Vortex Dynamics; DNS/LES and Hybrid RANS/LES Methods; Fluid Structure Interaction; Fluid Dynamics of Wind Energy; Bubble, Droplet, and Aerosol Dynamics
ISBN (Electronic)9780791851555
DOIs
StatePublished - 2018
EventASME 2018 5th Joint US-European Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting, FEDSM 2018 - Montreal, Canada
Duration: 15 Jul 201820 Jul 2018

Publication series

NameAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fluids Engineering Division (Publication) FEDSM
Volume1
ISSN (Print)0888-8116

Conference

ConferenceASME 2018 5th Joint US-European Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting, FEDSM 2018
Country/TerritoryCanada
CityMontreal
Period15/07/1820/07/18

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