Numerical study of self-sustained oscillatory flows and heat transfer in channels with a tandem of transverse vortex generators

A numerical investigation was conducted into channel flows with a tandem of transverse vortex generators in the form of rectangular cylinders. The oscillatory behavior of the flow is studied. Data for heat transfer and flow losses are presented for 100≤Re≤400 and cylinder separation distances 1≤S/H≤4. The results are obtained by numerical solution of the full Navier-Stokes equations and the energy equation. Self-sustained flow oscillations are found for Re>100. Alternate and dynamic shedding of large vortex structures from the cylinders is observed by visualization of the numerically determined flow field. A heat transfer enhancement up to a factor 1.78 compared to plane channel flow is observed. Received on 16 July 1997     

Prediction of flow and heat transfer in narrow rotating rectangular channels using Reynolds stress model

A computational study is performed on three-dimensional turbulent flow and heat transfer in a rotating rectangular channel with aspect ratio (AR) of 10:1, oriented 120° from the direction of rotation. The Focus is on high rotation and high-density ratios effects on the heat transfer characteristics of the 120° orientation. The Reynolds stress model (RSM), which accounts for rotational effects are used to compute the turbulent flow and heat transfer in the rotating channel. The effects of rotation and coolant-to-wall density ratio on the fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics is reported on a range of rotation numbers and density ratios (0 < Ro < 0.25 and 0.07 < Δρ/ρ < 0.4). The computational results are in good agreement with experimental data within ±15%. The results show that the density ratio, rotation number and channel orientation significantly affect the flow field and heat transfer characteristics in the rotating rectangular channel. Flow reversal occurs at high rotation number and density ratio.     

Comparative evaluation of three heat transfer enhancement strategies in a grooved channel

 Results of a comparative evaluation of three heat transfer enhancement strategies for forced convection cooling of a parallel plate channel populated with heated blocks, representing electronic components mounted on printed circuit boards, are reported. Heat transfer in the reference geometry, the asymmetrically heated parallel plate channel, is compared with that for the basic grooved channel, and the same geometry enhanced by cylinders and vanes placed above the downstream edge of each heated block. In addition to conventional heat transfer and pressure drop measurements, holographic interferometry combined with high-speed cinematography was used to visualize the unsteady temperature fields in the self-sustained oscillatory flow. The locations of increased heat transfer within one channel periodicity depend on the enhancement technique applied, and were identified by analyzing the unsteady temperature distributions visualized by holographic interferometry. This approach allowed gaining insight into the mechanisms responsible for heat transfer enhancement. Experiments were conducted at moderate flow velocities in the laminar, transitional and turbulent flow regimes. Reynolds numbers were varied in the range Re = 200–6500, corresponding to flow velocities from 0.076 to 2.36 m/s. Flow oscillations were first observed between Re = 1050 and 1320 for the basic grooved channel, and around Re = 350 and 450 for the grooved channels equipped with cylinders and vanes, respectively. At Reynolds numbers above the onset of oscillations and in the transitional flow regime, heat transfer rates in the investigated grooved channels exceeded the performance of the reference geometry, the asymmetrically heated parallel plate channel. Heat transfer in the grooved channels enhanced with cylinders and vanes showed an increase by a factor of 1.2–1.8 and 1.5–3.5, respectively, when compared to data obtained for the basic grooved channel; however, the accompanying pressure drop penalties also increased significantly. Received on 5 April 2001     

Flow over rectangular porous block in a fixed width channel: influence of porosity and aspect ratio

Flow over a rectangular porous block placed in a fixed width channel is considered and the influence of block aspect ratio on the heat transfer rate from the block is examined. A non-porous solid block is also accommodated to compare the effect of porosity on the flow field and heat transfer characteristics. Aspect ratio and the porosity of the block are varied in the simulations. A numerical scheme employing a control volume approach is considered when predicting the flow and temperature fields. The Reynolds number is selected to yield the mix convection situation in the flow field. It is found that the aspect ratio significantly influences Nu and Gr numbers, in which case increasing the aspect ratio enhances Nu while lowering Gr. Increasing porosity improves the heat transfer rates from the porous block, provided that at high aspect ratios, this situation ceases due to blockage effect of the body in the channel.     

Calculation of turbulent fluid flow and heat transfer in ducts by a full Reynolds stress model

A computational method has been developed to predict the turbulent Reynolds stresses and turbulent heat fluxes in ducts by different turbulence models. The turbulent Reynolds stresses and other turbulent flow quantities are predicted with a full Reynolds stress model (RSM). The turbulent heat fluxes are modelled by a SED concept, the GGDH and the WET methods. Two wall functions are used, one for the velocity field and one for the temperature field. All the models are implemented for an arbitrary three‐dimensional channel. Fully developed condition is achieved by imposing cyclic boundary conditions in the main flow direction. The numerical approach is based on the finite volume technique with a non‐staggered grid arrangement. The pressure–velocity coupling is handled by using the SIMPLEC‐algorithm. The convective terms are treated by the van Leer scheme while the diffusive terms are handled by the central‐difference scheme. The hybrid scheme is used for solving the ε equation. The secondary flow generation using the RSM model is compared with a non‐linear k–ε model (non‐linear eddy viscosity model). The overall comparison between the models is presented in terms of the friction factor and Nusselt number. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heat transfer and flow temperature measurements in a rotating triangular channel with various rib arrangements

In the present study, the regionally-averaged heat transfer coefficients and flow temperature distributions were measured in an equilateral triangular channel with three different rib arrangements (α = 45, 90 and 135°). To measure regionally-averaged heat transfer coefficients in the channel, two rows of copper blocks and a single heater were installed on two ribbed walls. The fluid temperature distributions were obtained using a thermocouple-array. The rotation number ranged from 0.0 to 0.1 with a fixed Reynolds number of 10,000. For the 90° ribs, the heat transfer coefficients on the pressure side surface were increased significantly with rotation, while the suction side surface had lower heat transfer coefficients than the stationary channel. For the angled ribs, rib-induced secondary flow dominated the heat transfer characteristics and high heat transfer rates were observed on the regions near the inner wall for the 45° angled ribs and near the leading edge for the 135° angled ribs.     

Heat transfer performance for batch oscillatory flow mixing

Experimental heat transfer data is presented for two batch operations of oscillatory flow mixing. In one case fluid is oscillated within a baffled tube and in the second case baffles are oscillated within a process fluid. For both situations the heat transfer coefficient depends on the intensity of oscillation, and the energy performance of each configuration corresponds to that of an equivalent net turbulent flow in a pipe or a batch stirred vessel. The results indicate that oscillatory flow batch mixing is as energy efficient as other conventional mixing configurations and the heat transfer performance indicates that each oscillatory flow mixing configuration could be satisfactorily used as a batch reactor system.     

Unsteady two-fluid flow and heat transfer in a horizontal channel

The problem of unsteady oscillatory flow and heat transfer of two viscous immiscible fluids through a horizontal channel with isothermal permeable walls has been considered. The partial differential equations governing the flow and heat transfer are solved analytically using two-term harmonic and non-harmonic functions in both fluid regions of the channel. Effects of physical parameters such as viscosity ratio, conductivity ratio, Prandtl number and frequency parameter on the velocity and temperature fields are shown graphically. It is observed that the velocity and temperature decrease as the viscosity ratio increases, while they increase with increases in frequency parameter. The effect of increasing the thermal conductivity ratio also suppresses the temperature in both fluid regions. The effect of periodic frequency on the flow is depicted in tabular form. It is predicted that both the velocity and temperature profiles decrease as the periodic frequency increases.     

Vortices and wall shear stresses in asymmetric and symmetric channels with sinusoidal wavy walls for pulsatile flow at low Reynolds numbers

Numerical simulation and flow visualization were performed to study the dynamical behavior of vortices generated in channels with two different geometries, i.e., a periodically converging–diverging channel and serpentine channel, both having sinusoidal wavy walls. This system for pulsatile flow is used to enhance heat and mass transfer in very viscous liquids. The numerical results predict well the dynamical behavior of vortices and agree with the flow visualizations. For both channels, the vortex expands in each furrow of the channel walls during the deceleration phase and shrinks during the acceleration phase, which leads to fluid exchange between the vortex and the mainstream. The time-averaged vortex strength and wall shear stresses increase, as the frequency of fluid oscillation increases under a fixed oscillatory fraction of the flow rate. However, above a certain value of the frequency, they reversely decrease due to viscous effects. This frequency for the serpentine channel is smaller than that for the converging–diverging channel. The channel geometries are found to have an important effect of the flow characteristics.     

Hall effects on MHD flow in a rotating system with heat transfer characteristics

Closed-form solutions are derived for the steady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) viscous flow in a parallel plate channel system with perfectly conducting walls in a rotating frame of reference, in the presence of Hall currents, heat transfer and a transverse uniform magnetic field. A mathematical analysis is described to evaluate the velocity, induced magnetic field and mass flow rate distributions, for a wide range of the governing parameters. Asymptotic behavior of the solution is analyzed for large M ² (Hartmann number squared) and K ² (rotation parameter). The heat transfer aspect is considered also with Joule and viscous heating effects present. Boundary layers arise close to the channel walls for large K ², i.e. strong rotation of the channel. For slowly rotating systems (small K ²), Hall current parameter (m) reduces primary mass flow rate (Q _x /R ρ v). Heat transfer rate at the upper plate (d θ/d η) _η=1 decreases, while at the lower plate (d θ/d η) _η=−1 increases, with increase in either K ² or m. For constant values of the rotation parameter, K ², heat transfer rate at both plates exhibits an oscillatory pattern with an increase in Hall current parameter, m. The response of the primary and secondary velocity components and also the primary and secondary induced magnetic field components to the control parameters is also studied graphically. Applications of the study arise in rotating MHD induction machine energy generators, planetary and solar plasma fluid dynamics systems, magnetic field control of materials processing systems, hybrid magnetic propulsion systems for space travel etc.     

Mixed convection heat transfer from a horizontal channel with protruding heat sources

A numerical investigation is carried out to study fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of conjugate mixed convection from a two dimensional horizontal channel with four protruding heat sources mounted on one of the finite thick channel walls. The flow is assumed as laminar, hydrodynamically and thermally developing. Water and FC70 are the fluids under consideration. The geometric parameters such as spacing between the channel walls (S), size of protruding heat sources (L_h×t_h), thickness of substrate (t) and spacing between heat sources (b) are fixed. Results are presented to show the effect of parameters such as Re_S, Gr_S^*, Pr, k_p/k_f and k_s/k_f on fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics. Using the method of asymptotic expansions, correlations are also presented for the maximum temperature of heat source.     

Numerical simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in channel with V corrugated plates

A detailed numerical study is carried out to investigate fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics in a channel with heated V corrugated upper and lower plates. The parameters studied include the Reynolds number (Re = 2,000–5,500), angles of V corrugated plates (θ = 20°, 40°, 60°), and constant heat fluxs (q″ = 580, 830, 1,090 W/m²). Numerical results have been validated using the experimented data reported by Naphon, and a good agreement has been found. The angles of V corrugated plates (θ) and the Reynolds number are demonstrated to significantly affect the fluid flow and the heat transfer rate. Increasing the angles of V corrugated plates can make the heat transfer performance become better. The increasing Reynolds number leads to a more complex fluid flow and heat transfer rate. The numerical calculations with a non-equilibrium wall function have a better accuracy than with a standard wall function for solving high Reynolds numbers or complex flow problems.     

Forced convective flow and heat transfer of upward cocurrent air–water slug flow in vertical plain and swirl tubes

This experimental study comparatively examined the two-phase flow structures, pressured drops and heat transfer performances for the cocurrent air–water slug flows in the vertical tubes with and without the spiky twisted tape insert. The two-phase flow structures in the plain and swirl tubes were imaged using the computerized high frame-rate videography with the Taylor bubble velocity measured. Superficial liquid Reynolds number (Re_L) and air-to-water mass flow ratio (AW), which were respectively in the ranges of 4000–10000 and 0.003–0.02 were selected as the controlling parameters to specify the flow condition and derive the heat transfer correlations. Tube-wise averaged void fraction and Taylor bubble velocity were well correlated by the modified drift flux models for both plain and swirl tubes at the slug flow condition. A set of selected data obtained from the plain and swirl tubes was comparatively examined to highlight the impacts of the spiky twisted tape on the air–water interfacial structure and the pressure drop and heat transfer performances. Empirical heat transfer correlations that permitted the evaluation of individual and interdependent Re_L and AW impacts on heat transfer in the developed flow regions of the plain and swirl tubes at the slug flow condition were derived.     

Throughflow and g-jitter effects on binary fluid saturated porous medium

A non-autonomous complex Ginzburg-Landau equation (CGLE) for the finite amplitude of convection is derived, and a method is presented here to determine the amplitude of this convection with a weakly nonlinear thermal instability for an oscillatory mode under throughflow and gravity modulation. Only infinitesimal disturbances are considered. The disturbances in velocity, temperature, and solutal fields are treated by a perturbation expansion in powers of the amplitude of the applied gravity field. Throughflow can stabilize or destabilize the system for stress free and isothermal boundary conditions. The Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are obtained numerically to present the results of heat and mass transfer. It is found that throughflow and gravity modulation can be used alternately to heat and mass transfer. Further, oscillatory flow, rather than stationary flow, enhances heat and mass transfer.     

Implementation of physical boundary conditions into computational domain in modelling of oscillatory bottom boundary layers

This paper discusses the importance of realistic implementation of the physical boundary conditions into computational domain for the simulation of the oscillatory turbulent boundary layer flow over smooth and rough flat beds. A mathematical model composed of the Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equation, turbulent kinetic energy (k) and dissipation rate of the turbulent kinetic energy (ε) has been developed. Control‐volume approach is used to discretize the governing equations to facilitate the numerical solution. Non‐slip condition is imposed on the bottom surface, and irrotational main flow properties are applied to the upper boundary. The turbulent kinetic energy is zero at the bottom, whereas the dissipation rate is approaching to a constant value, which is proportional to the kinematic viscosity times the second derivative of the turbulent kinetic energy. The output of the model is compared with the available experimental studies conducted in oscillatory tunnels and wave flume. It is observed that the irrotational flow assumption at the upper boundary is not realistic in case of water tunnels. Therefore, new upper boundary conditions are proposed for oscillatory tunnels. The data of wave flume show good agreement with the proposed numerical model. Additionally, several factors such as grid aspect ratio, staggered grid arrangement, time‐marching scheme and convergence criteria that are important to obtain a robust, realistic and stable code are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Boiling-like phenomena in free-convection heat transfer at supercritical pressures

Four differently composed nickel-alloy wires and platinum wires were used as heaters to CO₂ in a wide range of pressures and temperatures. Visual observations exhibited three flow regimes: laminar flow, oscillatory flow and turbulent film flow. Boiling-like phenomena may only be attributed to the oscillatory and film regime with respect to the appearance of bubble-like structures and high heat transfer coefficients. The occurrence of these regimes depends on the thermal diffusivity of the wire material. Only laminar flow is observed for platinum wires with a high thermal diffusivity; all three regimes are observed with nichrome wires with low values of thermal diffusivity. The high heat transfer coefficients obtained with boiling-like action distinctly deviate from a correlation valid for platinum wire experiments.     

Fluid flow and heat transfer in a two-dimensional wavy channel

A numerical study is presented for the laminar fully developed flow and heat transfer in a two-dimensional wavy channel. The effects of the geometry, Reynolds and Prandtl number on the flow field and heat transfer are investigated. The channel is characterized by a wavy wall, heated at uniform heat flux, and an opposite wall, being plane and adiabatic. The extent of the wall waviness and the distance between the channel walls are found to significantly affect the streamlines contours as well as the heat transfer coefficients. Comparisons with the straight channel, in the same flow rate and heat transfer conditions, have been performed. Pressure drop of the wavy channel is found to be always larger than the value characteristic of a straight channel, while heat transfer performance decreases or increases depending on the values of the parameters (geometry, Reynolds and Prandtl numbers).     

Pattern analysis of viscous oscillation in a shear flow induced by an exothermic reaction

An investigation is made of oscillatory phenomenon induced by an exothermic reaction. This oscillatory phenomenon occurs in a very thin mixing layer between two miscible and reacting fluids. A qualitative model based on the interaction among reaction, molecular momentum transfer, molecular heat transfer, molecular mass transfer and forced convective transfer was proposed by Kuroda and Ogawa [1994. Nonlinear waves in a shear flow with a diffusive exothermic reaction and its qualitative reasoning. Chem. Eng. Sci. 49(16), 2699-2708]. It is experimentally shown in the present study that the oscillatory patterns change in the flow direction. In the upstream area where oscillatory patterns are nearly straight stripes, effects of viscosity on those stripes are investigated. In the downstream area where stripes are wavy and disordered, fractal analysis is introduced to investigate the relationship between the transition of oscillatory flow patterns and process factors, i.e. the viscosity ratio, the entire viscosity, flow rate and the flow rate ratio. Fractal analysis is also applied to temperature oscillation, and it is confirmed that the characteristic patterns of oscillation become obscure as the entire viscosity increases. The entire viscosity is an important factor for controlling both oscillatory patterns of flow and temperature in this reactive flow system.     

Numerical simulation of forced convection over a periodic series of rectangular cavities at low Prandtl number

Convective heat transfer in laminar conditions is studied numerically for a Prandtl number Pr = 0.025, representative of liquid lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE). The geometry investigated is a channel with a periodic series of shallow cavities. Finite-volume simulations are carried out on structured orthogonal curvilinear grids, for ten values of the Reynolds number based on the hydraulic diameter between Re_m = 24.9 and Re_m = 2260. Flow separation and reattachment are observed also at very low Reynolds numbers and wall friction is found to be remarkably unequal at the two walls. In almost all cases investigated, heat transfer rates are smaller than the corresponding flat channel values. Low-Prandtl number heat transfer rates, investigated by comparison with Pr = 0.71 results, are large only for uniform wall temperature and very low Re. Influence of flow separation on local heat transfer rates is discussed, together with the effect of different thermal boundary conditions. Dependency of heat transfer performance on the cavity geometry is also considered.     

Lattice‐Boltzmann and meshless point collocation solvers for fluid flow and conjugate heat transfer

The applicability and performance of the lattice‐Boltzmann (LB) and meshless point collocation methods as CFD solvers in flow and conjugate heat transfer processes are investigated in this work. Lid‐driven cavity flow and flow in a slit with an obstacle including heat transfer are considered as case studies. A comparison of the computational efficiency accuracy of the two methods with that of a finite volume method as implemented in a commercial package (ANSYS CFX, ANSYS Inc., Canonsburg, PA) is made. Utilizing the analogy between heat and mass transfer, an advection–diffusion LB model was adopted to simulate the heat transfer part of the slit flow problem followed by a rigorous mapping of the mass transfer variables to the heat transfer quantities of interest, thus circumventing the need for a thermal LB model. Direct comparison among the results of the three methods revealed excellent agreement over a wide range of Reynolds and Prandtl number values. Furthermore, an integrated computational scheme is proposed, utilizing the rapid convergence of the LB model in the flow part of the conjugate heat transfer problem with that of the meshless collocation method for the heat transfer part. The meshless treatment remains sufficiently rapid even for conduction‐controlled processes in contrast to the LB method, which is very rapid in the convection‐controlled case only. A single, common computational grid, composed of regularly distributed nodes is used, saving significant computational and coding time and ensuring convergence of the discrete Laplacian operator in the heat transfer part of the computations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.