Numerical analysis for flow, heat and mass transfer in film flow along a vertical fluted tube

Abstract

We conducted a three-dimensional numerical investigation of the flow, heat and mass transfer characteristics of the fluted evaporating tube with films flowing down on both the inside and outside tube walls. Condensation occurs along the outside wall while evaporation takes place on the free surface of the inside film. The three-dimensional transport equations for momentum and energy were solved by using the finite volume method (FVM). The free-surface shape is tracked by using the moving-grid technique that satisfies the space conservation law (SCL). Because of the secondary motion of the fluid, the film becomes thin at the crest whereas it thickens at the valley. The velocity and temperature fields were successfully predicted for various flute shapes.