Nusselt number and friction factor correlations for solar air heater duct with broken V-down ribs combined with staggered rib roughness

Abstract

Artificial roughening of a broad wall of solar air heater leads to significant enhancement in heat transfer besides comparable rise in friction losses. This paper presents the outcome of experimental study on heat transfer and fluid friction characteristics of solar air heater duct roughened with broken V-down rib combined with staggered rib piece. Experimental data were collected on a high aspect ratio rectangular duct by varying the Reynolds number from 3000 to 17 000, relative gap position (s′/s) 0.2–0.8, relative staggered rib position (p′/p) 0.2–0.8, relative staggered rib size (r/e) 1–2.5, for the fixed values of relative roughness pitch (p/e) of 10, relative roughness height (e/Dh) of 0.043, relative gap size (g/e) of 1, and angle of attack (α) of 60°. The effect of flow Reynolds number and roughness parameters on Nusselt number and friction factor has been explored and the results are compared with continuous V-down rib roughened duct and smooth duct under similar flow conditions. Correlations for the Nusselt number and friction factor as a function of Reynolds number and roughness parameters have been developed.