Effect of electrically induced convection on heat transfer of air flow in an annulus.

Abstract

This paper presents the results of an investigation of heat transfer to a flow of air in an annulus under an electric field applied between the wall of a tube and a concentric wire electrode. By electrically induced disturbance, the heat transfer rate in the low Reynolds number region is increased, being accompanied by the augmentation of axial pressure drop. At high Reynolds number, however, this augmentation is not noticiable. Augmented heat transfer and pressure drop coefficients were correlated in non-dimensional terms derived from the similarity principle and analytical cinsideration of the predominant electric effect. Moreover, semiempirical formulations of these augmenting mechanisms were attempted by analyzing the measured temperature profiles and flow behaviour.