Influence of Geometric Parameters of Alternate Axis Twisted Baffles on the Local Heat Transfer Distribution and Pressure Drop in a Rectangular Channel Using a Transient Liquid Crystal Technique

This paper reports the effects of alternate axis twisted baffle geometric parameters on the heat transfer and flow characteristics within rectangular channels. In our experiments we used modified shapes of alternate axis twisted baffles according to relative pitch ratios (s/w) equal to 2–12 and twist ratios (y/w) equal to 1–5, under conditions where the angle of attack (α) was 90° and the relative blockage height (e/Dh) was at a constant value of 0.095. The results for the Reynolds numbers based on the duct hydraulic diameter ranged from 9000 to 24,000 at a constant Prandtl number, Pr = 0.707, using air as a working fluid. A 0.05 mm thick stainless-steel foil was used as a heater, and a thermochromic liquid crystal technique was used to obtain the local temperature distribution on the heated surfaces. Images were captured in areas with periodic, fully developed regions in the channel. The results show that rectangular channels equipped with alternate axis twisted baffles demonstrated 80%–185% greater heat transfer than rectangular channels with no baffles. Channels with alternate axis twisted baffles at higher twist ratios (y/w) and smaller relative pitch ratios (s/w) showed increased heat transfer, as well as pressure loss within the system, compared with other types of twisted baffles. The thermal enhancement factor of the rectangular channels equipped with alternate axis twisted baffles was higher than that for transverse baffles and smooth channels under similar operating conditions

Thermal evaluation of flow channels with perforated-baffles

The influences of perforated-baffles on the local Nusselt number (Nu) and thermo-hydraulic behaviors were comprehensively studied using thermochromic liquid crystal sheet. The perforated-baffles were designed in two forms: perforated-baffle (PB) and perforated-baffle with square wings (SW-PBs). Transverse solid baffles (TBs) were also tested for an assessment. All baffles had an identical height of 12 mm (e/H = 0.3). Experimental results showed that SW-PBs offered better Nu than PBs. It is also seen that PBs and SW-PBs caused lower pressure loss than TBs by around 20.49% and 13.98%, respectively. The reduction of friction loss was primarily due to the baffle perforation. In addition, the PBs yielded the thermal performance factors (TPF) up to 1.01 at the lowest Reynolds number of 6000

Thermal Visualization and Performance Analysis in a Channel Installing Transverse Baffles with Square Wings

The experimental examination of local heat transfer, thermal intensification, friction factors, and thermal performance factors (TPF) in a rectangular channel with square-winged transverse baffles (SW-TB) are presented in this paper. The purpose of this study is to modify the typical transverse baffles (TB) into square-winged transverse baffles (SW-TB) in order to improve the thermal performance and heat transfer rate of the channel. The effects of SW-TBs with various wing attack angles and Reynolds numbers on the heat transfer performance characteristics were examined using a thermochromic liquid crystal sheet. In the experiments, the SW-TBs were attached to the bottom wall of the channel, which had an aspect ratio (W:H) of 3.75:1. The SW-TBs had a width (w) of 150 mm, a square perforated cross-sectional area (a × b) of 8 × 8 mm2, and attack angles (θ) of 0° (solid transverse-baffle), 22.5°, 45°, 67.5°, and 90°. The bottom wall of the channel was evenly heated, while the other walls were insulated. The temperature contours on the heated surface were plotted using temperatures obtained through using the thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) image-processing method. Experimental results revealed that the SW-TBs created multiple impinging jets, apart from the recirculation. At the proper attack angles (θ = 22.5° and 45°), the SW-TBs offered greater heat transfer rates and caused lower friction losses, resulting in higher TPFs than the solid transverse baffles. In the current work, channels where the SW-TBs display a θ = 45° presented the greatest TPF, as high as 1.26. The multiple impinging jets issuing by the SW-TBs suppressed the size of the recirculation flow and allowed better contact between the fluid flow and channel wall

Thermal Visualization and Performance Analysis in a Channel Installing Transverse Baffles with Square Wings

The experimental examination of local heat transfer, thermal intensification, friction factors, and thermal performance factors (TPF) in a rectangular channel with square-winged transverse baffles (SW-TB) are presented in this paper. The purpose of this study is to modify the typical transverse baffles (TB) into square-winged transverse baffles (SW-TB) in order to improve the thermal performance and heat transfer rate of the channel. The effects of SW-TBs with various wing attack angles and Reynolds numbers on the heat transfer performance characteristics were examined using a thermochromic liquid crystal sheet. In the experiments, the SW-TBs were attached to the bottom wall of the channel, which had an aspect ratio (W:H) of 3.75:1. The SW-TBs had a width (w) of 150 mm, a square perforated cross-sectional area (a × b) of 8 × 8 mm2, and attack angles (θ) of 0° (solid transverse-baffle), 22.5°, 45°, 67.5°, and 90°. The bottom wall of the channel was evenly heated, while the other walls were insulated. The temperature contours on the heated surface were plotted using temperatures obtained through using the thermochromic liquid crystal (TLC) image-processing method. Experimental results revealed that the SW-TBs created multiple impinging jets, apart from the recirculation. At the proper attack angles (θ = 22.5° and 45°), the SW-TBs offered greater heat transfer rates and caused lower friction losses, resulting in higher TPFs than the solid transverse baffles. In the current work, channels where the SW-TBs display a θ = 45° presented the greatest TPF, as high as 1.26. The multiple impinging jets issuing by the SW-TBs suppressed the size of the recirculation flow and allowed better contact between the fluid flow and channel wall