Thermal Behavior of Laminar Periodic Channel Flow over Triangular Baffles

Abstract

Laminar periodic flow and heat transfer in a two dimensional horizontal channel with isothermal walls and with staggered triangular baffles are numerically investigated. The computations are based on the finite volume method, and the SIMPLE algorithm with QUICK scheme is implemented. The fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are presented for Reynolds numbers based on the hydraulic diameter of the channel ranging from 100 to 600. Effects of different baffle tip angles on heat transfer and pressure loss in the channel are studied and the results of the triangular baffle are also compared with those of the flat baffle. It is observed that apart from the rise of Reynolds number, the reduction of the baffle tip angle leads to an increase in the Nusselt number and friction factor. According to the computational results for triangular baffles, the optimum thermal performance is found at the baffle angle of 5°, baffle height to channel height ratio of 0.5 and baffle spacing to channel height ratio of 1.0. In addition, the thermal performances of the 5°–10° triangular baffles are found to be higher than that of the flat baffle for all Reynolds numbers used.