Analysis of the heat transfer and friction in a ribbed square channel using numerical and experimental methods

Abstract

Numerical predictions and experiment of a hydrodynamic and thermally developed turbulent flow through square channels with one or two ribbed walls were performed to determine the pressure drop and heat transfer. The CFX (version 5.7) software package was used for the computations. The rough wall had 45°-inclined square ribs. All four walls in the channel were heated, and a uniform heat flux was maintained on the entire inner heat transfer channel area. Experimental data were also obtained for four Reynolds numbers ranging from 7600 to 24 900, a pitch-to-rib-height ratio of 8.0, and a rib-height-to-channel hydraulic diameter ratio of 0.0667. The numerical results were in agreement with the experimental data and showed that the values of the local heat transfer coefficient and friction factor in a square channel with two ribbed walls were greater than those with one ribbed wall.