| Abstract: | A control-volume-based solution of the complete set of Navier-Stokes equations for the laminar, three-dimensional developing flow in straight, eccentric, cylindrical annular ducts is described. Numerical results for velocity and pressure development, pressure defect and entrance lengths are presented for a wide range of duct parameters, i.e. relative eccentricity ? and radius ratio γ. The present results match very well with earlier numerical solutions for the limiting cases of developing flow in concentric ducts and fully developed flow in eccentric ducts. Comparison with earlier approximate results for developing flow in eccentric ducts indicates that the approximate model predicts the velocity and pressure development with an error of about 10%. However, the development length predicted by the approximate model is grossly in error. The pressure defect and development length in eccentric ducts are very high compared with their counterparts in concentric ducts. The pressure defect, development length and maximum velocity increase with the radius ratio for eccentric ducts, while the reverse is true for concentric ducts. Also, the apparent friction factor decreases as the eccentricity increases. |
