Numerical Prediction of Flow and Heat Transfer in a Tube with Circumferential Fins and Circular Disks

초록

The characteristics of fluid flow and heat transfer were numerically analyzed for hydrodynamically and thermally developing laminar flow in a tube with circumferential fins and circular disks. Computations were carried out for a variety of flow conditions and geometric arrangements for the fins and disks, and the effects of these on heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop were studied. In order to quantify the heat transfer enhancement effects of the fins and disks in a tube, the Nusselt numbers for various configurations were compared to those for a corresponding smooth tube. In addition, the flow pattern and the local Nusselt number of developing flow as well as the overall Nusselt number for both developing and fully developed flows were presented with associated increase in pressure drop. It was found that the flow was fully developed after passing two consecutive fins from the entrance, and that not only heat transfer enhancement but also pressure drop increase were significant with the fins and disks. And it was known that heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop increase are strongly dependent on Reynolds number and the fin height rather than the size of the disk.