Enhanced thermal effectiveness of square duct with V-type double-baffles: Numerical study

Abstract

The article puts forward three-dimensional computational research on heat transmission augmentation within a square channel containing 45o V-type double-baffles positioned on the lower and top parts at regular intervals in the turbulence zone for Reynolds numbers (Re) that vary from 3000 to 20,000. The primary goal of this research is to increase the thermal effectiveness and relative Nusselt number (Nu/Nu0), in order to conserve energy and reduce the size of the heating or cooling system. The simulations utilize a finite volume approach in common with the SIMPLE algorithm, whereas the turbulent model used is the realizable k–ε. The baffles are designed to be separated vertically for reducing pressure loss. Both single V-baffles and double V-baffles have four relative pitches (PR = 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, and 1.0) and height/blockage ratios (BR = 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, and 0.2), with a fixed attack angle (α) of 45o. The computational findings show that both V-baffles are capable of producing the primary vortices, but only the double V-baffles have the ability to provide the impinging streams onto the wall, cooling the region behind the baffles. This suggests that the double V-baffles not only boost heat transmission but also reduce frictional loss. When compared to a single V-baffle, the double ones enhance heat transfer by an average of 1.04–9.94% while decreasing frictional loss by an average of 9.88–31.73%. The thermal effectiveness factor (TEF) of the double V-baffles ranges from 1.03 to 3.21, and its peak value of around 3.21 is for PR = 0.4, BR = 0.05, at lower Re.