Laminar and turbulent heat transfer in the pipe entrance region for liquid metals

Abstract

Laminar and turbulent heat transfer in the pipe flow for liquid metals are studied. Three flow regions, namely fully developed, developing thermal, and developing thermal and velocity regions, are considered. The modified van Driest and Cebeci mixing length turbulence model is adopted in the analysis. The thermal damping constant is redetermined in the study for the fully-developed region as well as other developing regions. The predicted results are compared with experimental data when available. Correlation for heat transfer calculation is given for boundary conditions of constant heat flux and constant wall temperature. The effect of the variation of physical properties is also studied. Correlation of heat transfer calculation when the property is variable is given in a simple form for liquid sodium and NaK eutectic.