Perturbation analysis of convective heat transfer in helicoidal pipes with substantial pitch

Abstract

Fully developed convective heat transfer in a coiled pipe with substantial pitch (the helicoidal pipe) is investigated by the perturbation method. The results of this study indicate that the effect of pitch on the temperature distribution appears in the second-order solution (T2 terms), and that it will rotate the high temperature contours that deviate from the outer wall, which are enhanced by increasing the Reynolds number, the Prandtl number, and the curvature of the coil. As a result, the peak of the Nusselt number along the periphery moves away from the outer wall. The results of the study also indicate that increasing pitch may slightly reduce the average Nusselt number.