Experimental study of flow and heat transfer in rib-roughened rectangular channels

Secondary flow patterns, pressure drop and heat transfer in rib-roughened rectangular channels have been investigated. The aspect ratio of the channels is 1–8, and ribs are attached to the wide channel walls in order to set up swirling motions. The geometries tested consist of channels having cross ribs, parallel ribs, cross V-ribs, parallel V-ribs, and multiple V-ribs (Swirl Flow Tube). The flow patterns were investigated using smoke wire visualization and LDV measurements. The smoke wire experiments have been performed at Re=1100 and the LDV measurements at Re=3000 at periodic fully developed conditions. The heat transfer and pressure drop are described by j and f factors for Reynolds numbers from 500 to 15 000. The distributions of axial mean velocity and turbulent fluctuations are strongly influenced by the secondary flows. Large mean velocities and small fluctuations are found in regions where the secondary flow is directed towards a surface, while small mean velocities and large fluctuations are found in regions where the secondary flow is directed away from a surface. The Swirl Flow Tube provides a significant increase in the j factor at Reynolds numbers from 1000 to 2000, but unfortunately also an increase in the f factor. At higher Reynolds numbers, the j and f factors of the Swirl Flow Tube are of the same order of magnitude as for the other rib-roughened channels. It is found that the flow direction in a channel with parallel V-ribs has important influence on the j/f ratio. At Reynolds numbers above 4000, this channel provides the highest j/f ratio if the V-ribs are pointing upstream; while it provides the lowest j/f ratio of all rib configurations, if the V-ribs are pointing downstream.