Friction factor and heat transfer evaluation of cross-corrugated triangular flow channels with trapezoidal baffles

Abstract

Heat recovery ventilator (HRV) with cross-corrugated triangular flow channels has the advantages of high heat transfer coefficient and high mechanical strength, but it also has the disadvantages of uneven internal temperature distribution and large pressure loss. In this paper, a kind of cross-corrugated triangular flow channel with trapezoidal baffle is proposed, and the influence of the trapezoidal baffle on the flow and heat transfer characteristics of the cross-corrugated triangular flow channel is comprehensively studied by numerical simulation. The Nusselt number (Nu), friction factor (f) and Performance Evaluation Criteria (PEC) value of the flow channel with trapezoidal baffles and the original flow channel were compared. The synergistic effect of the trapezoidal baffle on the flow and heat transfer in the flow channel was analyzed. The results show that the trapezoidal baffle can promote fluid mixing and momentum exchange, thus enhancing the field synergistic effect and improving the comprehensive heat transfer performance of the flow channel. The Nu and f of flow channels with trapezoidal baffles are more than 1.7 and 3.5 times of those without baffles, and the PEC value can be increased by 30%. The data and empirical formulas of this study can provide a guideline for HRVs design.