Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in a Rotating Two-Pass Square Duct With In-Line 90° Ribs

Abstract

Laser-Doppler velocimetry and transient thermochromic liquid crystal measurements are presented to understand local fluid flow and surface heat transfer distributions in a rotating ribbed duct with a 180° sharp turn. The in-line 90° ribs were arranged on the leading and trailing walls with rib height-to-hydraulic diameter ratio and pitch-to-height ratio of 0.136 and 10, respectively. The Reynolds number, based on duct hydraulic diameter and bulk mean velocity, was fixed at 1.0×104 whereas the rotational number varied from 0 to 0.2. Results are compared with those of the rotating smooth duct flow in terms of maximum streamwise mean velocities (Umax/Ub) and turbulence intensities (u′max/Ub), skewness of mean velocity profiles, secondary flow pattern, turn-induced separation bubble, and turbulence anisotropy. Nusselt number ratio mappings are also provided on the leading and trailing walls. The relationships between the fluid flow and local heat transfer enhancement are also documented. It is found that the rotating ribbed duct flow provides higher Umax/Ub, u′max/Ub, and stronger total averaged secondary flow and, hence heat transfer is enhanced. Comparisons with heat transfer data published by other research groups are also made. Furthermore, simple linear correlations between regional averaged Nusselt number ratio and rotation number are developed.