Numerical heat transfer analysis in turbulent channel flow over a side-by-side triangular prism pair

Heat transfer and flow behavior in a channel fitted with a transverse triangular prism pair is numerically investigated in the turbulent flow regime for the Reynolds number ranging from 10000 to 50000. The aspect ratio of channel height to the prism base is fixed at 4.0 throughout the study. The Navier-Stokes equation, along with the energy equation, is solved using a finite volume method with the SIMPLE technique and the QUICK numerical scheme for coupling the discretized equations while the standard k-ɛ turbulence model is used for closure of the problem. The numerical result reveals that heat transfer augmentation in the channel with the built-in prism pair can be obtained. It is observed that as compared to a channel, the heat transfer is enhanced by about 17% for a single triangular prism and by some 85% for a triangular prism pair mounted on the channel wall. Effects of the clearance between the prisms on the heat transfer augmentation are presented. The heat transfer enhancement is due to the vortex formation or recirculation zone downstream of the prism elements. However, the presence of the prisms also leads to higher values of friction loss over the channel.