Numerical Analysis on Heat Transfer Performance and Hydrodynamic Evaluation of Flow through the Rectangular Grooved Channel with and without Fins

Abstract

This study presents heat transfer performance and hydrodynamics of steady flow in a rectangular grooved channel with and without fin. Such heat transfer enhancement techniques are of great practical importance in many engineering systems, includingboiler tube-type heat exchangers, electronic cooling systems, compact heat exchangers, and thermal management applications where improved thermal performance and acceptable pressure losses are required. The numerical simulations were performed at Reynolds number ranges of 100 <= Re <= 4000. Fins' heights were selected as 5 mm and 10 mm. Moreover, heat flux was provided with a value of 1000 W/m2 at the 300 mm of the corrugated channel. Velocity and Turbulent Kinetic Energy contours as well as velocity vectors were plotted so as to reveal flow patterns and motions. The velocity contours clearly showed that the flow velocity increased at the center of the corrugated channel. Furthermore, it was noted that the flow velocity was significantly impactedby the fins' presence. In terms of explaining flow dynamics inside the channel, employing fins caused the circulating flow behind the fins to be formed, resulting in presence of energized flow. The results of turbulent kinetic energy clearly revealed that flow was energized by means of different height fins. This enabled more heat transfer in the corrugated channel with different height fins compared to the corrugated one without fins.