Heat Transfer Augmentation of Laminar Flow in Horizontal Circular Nano-Composite Tube with Insert

Abstract

A numerical investigation was carried out to predict the heat transfer behavior and friction factor in heated circular nano- composite tube with two cases: plain tube and inserted tube. Typical twisted tape (TTT) and triangular cut twisted tape (TCTT) were used as insert if twisted tape ratio equal 2 and thickness equal 1 mm. The composite material consist of polyester resin mixed with nano copper with different weight fraction 3%, 7%, 33%, 50% and 75%. The governing equations were solved by using commercial ANSYS Fluent package (2017) with the assistance of Solid Works and Gambit software program. The finite volume approach was used in solving the equations to predict the pressure flow, heat transfer and temperature distribution along the tube. Nano- composite material tube was heated under constant heat flux (1244W/m2). The water flow in the tube was laminar (297 < Re < 1670). The dimensions of circular tube were 800 mm length, 20 mm diameter and 1.5 mm thickness. Numerical results show that the heat transfers was augmented when (TTT or TCTT) was used as a swirl flow devices comparing with plain tube. The water temperature increases significantly at the center line of tube by 25% when TTT is used, while the friction losses increase in an undesirable rate of 155 %.Finally, it can be concluded that the nano-composite tube is efficient in heat transfer applications.