EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES ON FLOW IN CONVERGENT AND DIVERGENT DUCTS OF RECTANGULAR CROSS SECTION

Abstract

This paper describes the experimental examination of the pressure drop and heat transfer of the flow in convergent and divergent ducts of rectangular cross section. The aspect ratio based on the dimensions of the large end of the duct was 0⋅1. It has been found that at a given convergent or divergent angle pressure drop decreases while heat transfer increases with increasing Reynolds number. Along a given duct of small convergent angle, pressure drop increases while heat transfer decreases along the duct. However, heat transfer may increase near the downstream end of ducts of high convergent angle. At a given Reynolds number, both pressure drop and heat transfer increase with increasing convergent angle. As for flow in divergent ducts, the effects of Reynolds number on pressure drop and heat transfer are somewhat similar to those of flow in a convergent duct. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.