Numerical research of turbulent heat transfer in rectangular channels in ocean environment

Because of the effects of periodic ocean waves, there are many differences between the heat transfer characteristics of turbulent flow in ocean environment from that of land-based systems. The turbulent flow in rectangular channels in ocean environment is investigated theoretically with CFD code FLUENT. The effects of rolling motion consist of two parts, the first part is the axial additional force which can change the flowing velocity and the other part is the radial additional force. In ocean environment, the turbulent heat transfer is dominated by the axial additional force. The effect of radial additional force is very limited. The effect of length–width ratio on the oscillating amplitude of Nusselt number is also not significant. The average Nusselt number and its oscillating amplitude are in linear relation with the average Reynolds number. The oscillating amplitude of Nusselt number is in direct ratio with the fluctuation-velocity Reynolds number.