Numerical investigation of total entropy generation in a rectangular channel with staggered semi-porous fins

Abstract

A numerical investigation was performed to study total entropy generation due to forced convection inside the partially heated channel with staggered semi-porous fins. A finite volume code has been utilized to solve the governing equations which are based on the volume-averaging method. Results declared that increasing Reynolds number to Re = 100 comes up with about 44% more total entropy generation compared to Re = 50. At particular semi-porous fin percentage (SFP = 40) generation of total entropy encounters a minimum point, which is identical for all Reynolds numbers. Utilizing semi-porous fins with Darcy number below 10−4 has not any noticeable effect on total entropy generation through various SFPs, but at higher Darcy number such as Da = 10−2, total entropy generation decreases almost 14% compared to Da = 10−8. Also, there is a minimum point for total entropy generation for Da ≥ 10−4, which is different for each Darcy number and the minimum point moves toward higher SFP values as the Darcy number increases. In addition, applying higher Ke and increasing fins' length or width results in more total entropy generation.