Numerical simulation of convective heat transfer in tube with wire coil inserts

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the heat transfer characteristics of a wire coil insert fitted inside heat exchanger tube. Three-dimensional numerical simulation laminar flow that develop into smooth round pipe of diameter D=7mm, with wire coil insert of helical pitch, p=8.75mm, and diameter, e=0.532mm, have been accomplished using CFD software-Fluent v6.3.26. The friction factor and the heat transfer behaviors with the wire coil insert use are investigated. The effect of the Rayleigh, the Prandtl numbers, the inclination angle on the heat transfer are quantified and discussed for the smooth and wire coiled tubes. Results show that the implementation of wire coil insert guarantees higher heat transfer rate and increase in the friction.