Calculation of a 2-D channel flow with a dimple

Abstract

Heat-transfer enhancement is seeked through modifications of fin surface. Real life plate-fin heat exchangers have complex three-dimensional geometries. Fins can have arrays of dimples and are attached to rows of penetrating tubes. To isolate the effect of surface modification, we model the real flow by a two-dimensional channel flow with a dimple on one side. The flow is analysed by solving the incompressible Navier-Stokes equation by a finite volume method on a generalized boundary-fitted coordinate. Results show a trapped vortex inside the dimple for all cases computed. Local maximum of Nusselt number occurs near the downstream end of the dimple, due to such a vortex. Location of the vortex does not change with respect to the wall temperature change, but moved downstream when Reynolds number increases. This, together with the results that in all cases vortex core is somewhat downstream of the dimple center, suggests that the mean flow above continuously feeds the kinetic energy to the recirculating flow. Heat transfer enhancement and pressure losses are studied through analysing the relevant dimensionless parameters like, Nusselt number and friction factor. In all cases computed, dimpled channel flow experiences less pressure loss than two-dimensional Poiseuille flow.