Total Entropy Generation Rate Research Articles

Thermo-magnetic radiative flow in porous enclosure with deep-learning parameter estimation

This study numerically investigates convective heat transfer, fluid flow, and entropy generation within an inverted T-shaped porous enclosure filled with a hybrid nanofluid. The interplay between thermal radiation and a magnetic field is considered, as these factors significantly influence thermal acquisition processes in renewable and thermal engineering applications, particularly solar power collectors with the selected physical domain. By analyzing various combinations of flow parameters, this work aims to identify favorable conditions for maximizing heat transfer efficiency in such systems. A Darcy–Forchheimer–Brinkman-based mathematical model has been incorporated and numerically simulated using the penalty finite element method (FEM). Moreover, the variation of fluid flow, isotherms, and entropy generation is thoroughly analyzed for the variation of non-dimensional permeability parameter (Darcy number, Da), buoyancy force (Rayleigh number, Ra), magnetic field (Hartmann number, Ha), porosity value (ϵ), and thermal radiation parameter (Rd). The comprehensive result demonstrates that increasing values of Ra, Da, ϵ, and Rd intensify entropy generation, convective heat, and fluid flow phenomena, whereas the increasing value of Ha substantially weakens these phenomena. The thermal efficiency of the model attends at the lower buoyancy forces (Ra≤105) for each flow parameter (except for Ha). However, the increasing magnetic forces (Ha) substantially improve the thermal efficiency of the developed model. Additionally, this study employs a feed-forward neural network (FNN) based deep learning (DL) approach to predict the parametric influence on convective heat transport rate (Num), total entropy generation rate (Stot), and total Bejan number due to heat transport irreversibility (Beθ,tot) based on the minimally supplied experimental data for FNN training process. The trained FNN model predicts the results very quickly with 98.6% accuracy compared to FEM results, demonstrating its efficiency in approximating the parametric influence of complex mathematical model results. Moreover, this approach significantly reduces computational costs and efforts compared to traditional numerical methods, making it a valuable tool for forecasting the influence of an unknown set of flow parameters in complex mathematical models.

Numerical investigation of the overall thermal and thermodynamic performance of a high concentration ratio parabolic trough solar collector with a novel modified twisted tape insert using supercritical CO2 as the working fluid

Supercritical CO2 (sCO2) is favoured as the next-generation working fluid for advanced high-temperature and high-concentration ratio parabolic trough solar collectors (PTSC) due to the fluid’s low cost, availability and thermal stability at high temperatures. However, the lower thermal transport properties of sCO2 compared to conventional working fluids necessitate heat transfer enhancement of receivers using sCO2. In this study, a combined and extensively validated approach using Monte-Carlo ray tracing for optical analysis and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for thermal and thermodynamic analysis were used to investigate the overall thermal and thermodynamic performance of a high concentration ratio sCO2-based PTSC with a modified twisted tape (MTT) inserts in the receiver. MTT inserts with twist ratios in the range of 2.0 to 4.0 and width ratios in the range of 0.75 to 0.95 were investigated. Results show enhancement of the heat transfer performance by up to 73% and thermal efficiency by 6%, and reduction of the receiver heat losses and circumferential temperature gradients when the MTT inserts are used. In addition to presenting results using the first law of thermodynamics, this study also considered the second law of thermodynamics by evaluating the entropy generation rates due to heat transfer and fluid friction irreversibilities. Results showed that the use of MTT inserts caused a reduction in the total entropy generation rates, with the lowest irreversibility occurring at a Reynolds number of 1,650,000 for a twist ratio of 2.0 and width ratio of 0.95.

Performance evaluation criteria based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics

Numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the correlation between assessments based on the total entropy generation rate criterion and the thermal resistance criterion in the context of evaluating heat transfer performance. This study focused on a parallel plate channel heat sink with the lower wall subjected to a constant heat flux, under various flow constraints. The flow was assumed to be laminar and fully developed. The energy equation was discretized using the control volume-based power law scheme, and the resulting algebraic equations were solved by the line-by-line method. Optimal channel heights which lead to minimize irreversibility and temperature difference between heated wall and inlet fluid temperatures were determined by both the total entropy generation rate and thermal resistance criteria under four distinct flow constraints: identical mass flow rate, identical inlet velocity, identical pumping power, and identical pressure drop. The investigation revealed a lack of significant correlation between the optimal channel heights derived from assessments based on the total entropy generation rate and thermal resistance. Consequently, the utilization of the total entropy generation rate criterion for evaluating heat transfer performance, based in the second law of thermodynamics, instead of the thermal resistance criterion, based in the first law of thermodynamics, was deemed inappropriate. The total entropy generation rate criterion was based on the minimization of the irreversibility and served as an indicator of heat transfer quality. As a recommendation, it is suggested that results obtained from both the total entropy generation rate and thermal resistance criteria for assessing heat transfer performance be presented separately for each specific application.

Investigation of thermal performance and entropy generation rate of evacuated tube collector solar air heater with inserted baffles and metal foam: A CFD approach

This study investigates the impact of metal foam embedding into evacuated tube collector solar air heaters with inserted baffle (IBMF-ETC-SAH) on the device thermal performance using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. A three-dimensional model is employed to analyze the system under steady-state conditions. The key finding of this study is that the utilization of metal foam leads to a substantial increase in thermal performance, with an average improvement of approximately 300 %. The investigation examines the influence of metal foam porosity and pores per inch (PPI) on the performance of the IBMF-ETC-SAH across Reynolds numbers ranging from 6000 to 18,000. The results indicate that increasing the PPI from 20 to 40 at a constant porosity of 0.93 has negligible effects on device performance. However, the pressure drop increases by 48 % for a PPI of 40 compared to a PPI of 20. Furthermore, reducing the porosity from 0.95 to 0.9 leads to a 7 % enhancement in thermal performance. The IBMF-ETC-SAH exhibits a significant decrease in the total global entropy generation rate (EGR) compared to the device without metal foam. The maximum value of total EGR for the IB-ETC-SAH case is 2.32 times higher than the corresponding values for the IBMF-ETC-SAH case.

Use of machine learning in predicting heat transfer and entropy generation in a flat plate solar collector with twisted tape turbulator and ferrofluid under the influence of an external uniform magnetic field: A numerical study

The flat-plate solar collector is the most common and widely used model of solar collectors. This model of solar collectors is more popular than other solar collectors due to its easy installation and lower cost. It is possible to further reduce the cost and size of these systems by improving their performance. For this purpose, simultaneous application of external uniform magnetic field (MF), water-Fe3O4 ferrofluid, and twisted tape turbulator along with changing the cross-section of the serpentine absorber tube of a collector is proposed in the present research. The outlet temperature of working fluid, pressure drop of working fluid, the rate of thermal energy transferred to the flowing fluid in the collector along with the entropy production rate in the system due to fluid friction and heat transfer were considered as the performance parameters of the system. The effect of cross-section of absorber tube (circular, square, triangular), Reynolds number (Re = 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000), pitch distance of turbulator (δ = 150 mm, 200 mm and 250 mm), ferrofluid volume fraction (σ = 0, 1 %, 2 % and 4 %) and magnetic field intensity (0, 600, 900 and 1200 Gauss) on these parameters was investigated numerically using the finite volume method. In the investigations conducted in the absence of MF, collectors equipped with circular and triangular absorber tubes showed the best and worst thermal performance, respectively, while the lowest and highest total entropy production rate was associated with collectors equipped with circular and rectangular tubes, respectively. Moreover, the escalation in σ from 0 % to 4 % and under the MF effect showed an increase of 0.14 %, 8.62 %, 0.45 %, and 4.55 % in the outlet temperature, pressure drop, useful heat, and thermal entropy generation rate, respectively. While the frictional entropy generation diminished by 8.73 %. In addition, the intensification of MF intensity from 0 G to 1200 G led to enhance the outlet temperature, useful heat, and pressure drop, by almost 0.0014 %, 3.96 %, and 0.013 %, respectively at three different σ values. While total entropy generation rate reduces by 0.195 % as MF intensity increases from 0 G to 1200G. Meanwhile, the results of neural network modeling were presented as two second-order polynomial functions to predict the total entropy generation rate and useful heat under the MF effects.

A machine learning approach and numerical investigation for intelligent forecasting of entropy generation rate inside a turbulator-inserted solar collector tube

The irreversibility rate analysis on the solar thermal collectors can be used to determine the regions in the geometry with high intensification of the thermal and viscous entropy generation rates (S˙th and S˙fr), thereby improving the geometry. Although the numerical analysis of the hydrothermal characteristics of the solar thermal collector has been widely studied, the entropy generation rate inside a turbulator insert absorber tube is less understood. In addition, there is still the lack of an accurate predictive model for the estimation of the total entropy generation rate inside the turbulator insert absorber tube. This study deals with the determination of S˙th and S˙fr of water flow inside a tube considering three twisted tape inserts with pitch distances (H) of 50 mm, 100 mm, and 150 mm as well as the Re numbers of 500, 1000, and 1500. The results showed that the escalation of H from 50 mm to 150 mm at Re numbers of 500, 1000, and 1500, S˙fr reduces by 15.40%, 24.50%, and 29.67%, respectively. Also, a 90% increase in S˙fr was observed as Re intensified from 500 to 1500. In addition, the increment in Re from 500 to 1500 reduces by 43%, 41%, and 34% at H values of 50 mm, 100 mm, and 150 mm, respectively. Besides, the increase in H from 50 mm to 150 mm escalates S˙th b by 55%, 63%, and 60%, respectively, for Res of 500, 1000, and 1500. Meanwhile, the entropy generation contour plots revealed that the rate of irreversibilities near the blade and tube wall is high indicating a turbulator geometry modification is needed for the lower entropy generation rates. Moreover, the results of the artificial neural network model showed the high accuracy of the introduced correlation for the estimation of the total entropy generation rate in terms of Re and H.

Second-law analysis of nanofluid-based photovoltaic/thermal system modeling and forecasting model based on artificial neural network

The PVT solar collectors can produce the thermal energy and power in a same frame. The improvement of the PVT's efficiency leads to reducing the system size and capital costs. To this end, this paper studied the irreversibilities of the Al2O3Cu/water hybrid nanofluid (NF) in a PVT solar collector considering two single and double serpentine channels (SS and DS). The influences of Re and nanoparticle concentration (φ) on the thermal and frictional entropy generation rates (S˙th and S˙fr) were investigated and the thermal, electrical and overall exergy efficiencies (ψth, ψe, ψov) of the PVT with SS and DS channels were compared and discussed. Based on the results, the DS channel exhibited S˙fr of almost 75 % lower than SS channel due to lower nanofluid inlet velocities and velocity gradients. In addition, S˙th for the DS channel is nearly 65 % lower and 26 % higher than that for the SS channel at Re numbers of 500 and 2000, respectively. Besides, the Re escalation from 500 to 2000 intensifies S˙fr by almost 94 % at different φs in the SS and DS channels. The increase in φ from 0 % to 1 % escalates S˙fr by almost 99.98 % times for two configuration regardless of the Re number. ψth of the DD channel is nearly 14.5 % and 12.77 % higher than that of the SS channel at Res of 500 and 2000, respectively. Besides, ψe of the PVT with the DS channel is 2.36 % higher than that with SS channel at Re=500 at four studied φs. Moreover, the maximum ψe for the PVT with the DS and SS were obtained as 22.29 % and 21.28 %, respectively, which are associated with Re=1500 and φ=0.25 %. Additionally, a predictive model was presented to determine the total entropy generation rate based in the Re and φ as the inputs.

Flow irreversibility versus wear of elbow-reducer connection with gas-solid two-phase flow: A numerical study via CFD-DEM coupling method

In industry sectors, such as power, petroleum, and natural gas production, many fluids contain solid particles in gas/liquid-solid two-phase flows. Thus, resistance and wall erosion, which mainly occur at pipe resistance components, such as elbows and reducers, should be considered in the design of conveying pipelines. To examine the interaction of two resistance components, the flow irreversibility versus wear of an elbow-reducer connection with a gas–solid two-phase flow were studied via the CFD–DEM coupling method. The studied connection structures include a reducer at the elbow downstream with distances of 0, 1, and 3 pipe diameters, and a reducer at the elbow upstream with distances of 0, 1, and 3 pipe diameters. Results show that turbulence and wall entropy generation are main reasons for the total entropy generation and flow irreversibility, which are mainly distributed in the interior wall of the elbow and the pipe. The reducer located downstream of the elbow has a good inhibition effect on the fluid with a separation phenomenon. The total entropy generation and maximum erosion rate for the elbow-reducer connections are lower than that for the reducer-elbow connections. Moreover, influences of solid particle mass flow rate and particle size on partial entropy generations, including mean, turbulent, and wall entropy generations, and wall erosion were comparatively analyzed. The simulation results can provide a reference for the design of pipelines to reduce energy consumption and pipeline wear.

Numerical studies for effect of geometrical parameters on water jet pump performance via entropy generation analysis

This paper presented an implementation of entropy generation analysis in the main flow field of a water jet pump via the CFD method. This study aimed to identify the inefficient location of energy conversion and to analyse entropy generation sources in each region of the water jet pump. The 2D-axisymmetric model and realisable k-ε (RKE) turbulence model at steady-state conditions were performed to validate jet pump performance and to assess the entropy generation. Likewise, the effects of the projection ratio and throat-aspect ratio as independent parameters were investigated. As a result, the throat is the most inefficient part due to the high total entropy generation rate, following by diffuser part. Also, the entropy generation rate was assessed dominant than viscous dissipation due to the turbulent dissipation, which was caused by a turbulent shear stress layer of mixing the streams. In conclusion, the projection ratio influenced the growth of the shear stress layer as well as the entropy generation. Further, the throat-aspect ratio affected the distribution of entropy generation in the throat section. An appropriate combination of both parameters has an impact on the jet pump performance improvements reducing the entropy generation rate in the future.

Local hydrothermal characteristics and temperature uniformity improvement of microchannel heat sink with non-uniformly distributed grooves

In order to improve the temperature uniformity of bottom walls, a novel design of microchannel heat sink with From-Sparse-To-Dense embowed grooves (MC-FSTD) was proposed as well as a comparative one with From-Dense-To-Sparse embowed grooves (MC-FDTS). The local hydrothermal characteristics and temperature distribution variance of bottom wall of microchannel heat sinks were numerically investigated for Reynolds number (Re) ranging from 100 to 800. The results showed that the denser grooves led to lower flow velocity, lower local friction factor and higher local pressure as well as the lower bottom wall temperature (Tw) and higher local Nusselt number (Nuz). The local Nusselt number and the bottom wall temperature of MC-FSTD were 2.17 times higher and 9.1K lower than that of MC-SC at z = 10 mm, respectively. MC-FSTD also had the most uniform temperature of the bottom wall and the corresponding temperature variance was 6.42 times lower than that of MC-SC at Re = 795.38. The heat transfer entropy generation rate and the total entropy generation rate of MC-FSTD were also the lowest with an acceptable friction entropy generation rate. Finally, the effects of the decreasing magnitude (Li) of the distance between two adjacent grooves on the local hydrothermal characteristics and temperature uniformity of MC-FSTD were explored and the total entropy generation rate was further reduced to 5.22 × 10−4 W/K at Li = 0.015 mm and Re = 795.38.

Entropy generation analysis of turbulent flow in conical tubes with dimples: a numerical study

Minimizing the entropy generation rate is one of the key performance indicators for enhancing the thermal design of heat exchangers. This paper introduces a comprehensive numerical entropy generation analysis of turbulent water flow inside—newly proposed—conical tubes with dimples subjected to a constant heat flux. The effect of different tube diameter ratios (DR = 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 5) and flow modes (convergent and divergent tube configurations) on the thermal, viscous, and total entropy generation rates is investigated within Reynolds number (Re) range of 3 × 103–40 × 103 using ANSYS-Fluent package. Realizable k-ε (RKE) turbulence model is adopted in this study. A well-validated 3D model was adopted to estimate the dimensionless indices: Bejan number (Be), enhanced entropy generation ratio (Ns,en), and the irreversibility distribution ratio ({phi }_{mathrm{s}}) to characterize the entropy generation performance and to compare conical dimpled tubes to smooth ones. The results showed that total entropy production rate values for dimpled tube geometries are lower than those for the corresponding smooth ones, especially for convergent dimpled tubes. Convergent dimpled tubes with DR in the range of 1.5–3 achieved the lowest total entropy production values over the whole Re range, with an average value of 0.20 W K−1, as compared to an average value of 0.34 W K−1 for the smooth configurations. The average Ns,en values for dimpled convergent tubes with DR = 1.5–3 are 0.46 and 0.80 at Re = 3000 and 40,000, with reductions of 50.54% and 3.61% at both Re values, respectively. The study also showed that the entropy generation analysis could provide an effective tool to highlight the optimal design of tube heat exchangers based on the minimum entropy generation and the enhanced entropy generation ratio.

Effect of inclination angle on the thermal-hydraulic characteristics and entropy generation of Al2O3–water nanofluid for in-tube turbulent flow

PurposeInclination angle has been reported to have an enhancing effect on the thermal-hydraulic characteristics and entropy of some thermal systems. Therefore, this paper aims to numerically investigate the effects of inclination angle, volume concentration and Reynolds number on the thermal and hydraulic characteristics and entropy generation rates of water-based Al2O3 nanofluids through a smooth circular aluminum pipe in a turbulent flow.Design/methodology/approachA constant heat flux of 2,000 Watts is applied to the circular surface of the tube. Reynolds number is varied between 4,000 and 20,000 for different volume concentrations of alumina nanoparticles of 0.5%, 1.0% and 2.0% for tube inclination angles of ±90o, ±60o, ±45o, ±30o and 0o, respectively. The simulation is performed in an ANSYS Fluent environment using the realizable kinetic energy–epsilon turbulent model.FindingsResults show that +45o tube orientation possesses the largest thermal deviations of 0.006% for 0.5% and 1.0% vol. concentrations for Reynolds numbers 4,000 and 12,000. −45o gives a maximum pressure deviation of −0.06% for the same condition. The heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop give maximum deviations of −0.35% and −0.39%, respectively, for 2.0% vol. concentration for Reynolds number of 20,000 and angle ±90o. A 95%–99.8% and 95%–98% increase in the heat transfer and total entropy generation rates, respectively, is observed for 2.0% volume concentration as tube orientation changes from the horizontal position upward or downward.Originality/valueResearch investigating the effect of inclination angle on thermal-hydraulic performance and entropy generation rates in-tube turbulent flow of nanofluid is very scarce in the literature.

Heat Transfer Augmentation and Entropy Generation Analysis of Microchannel Heat Sink (MCHS) with Symmetrical Ogive-Shaped Ribs

This study proposes the use of symmetrical ogive-shaped ribs on the walls of microchannel heat sinks (MCHS) to improve their thermal performance with minimal pressure drop. The ribs are arranged in three different configurations: ribs attached to all channel walls (MC-SAWR), ribs attached to side channel walls (MC-SSWR), and ribs attached to the bottom channel wall (MC-SBWR). Numerical investigations are conducted using the laminar conjugate heat transfer model to study the flow and heat transfer characteristics of the MCHS. The augmentation entropy generation number and thermal enhancement factor criterion are used to quantify the overall hydrothermal performance of the MCHS. The results show that the inclusion of symmetrical ogive-shaped ribs improves the Nusselt number of MCHS. The MC-SAWR configuration shows the highest Nusselt number improvement of 13–50% compared to the smooth MCHS over the Reynolds number range of 100–1000. Additionally, the MC-SAWR configuration shows a maximum reduction of 58% in the total entropy generation rate as it has the smallest augmentation entropy generation number value of 0.42. In terms of the thermal enhancement factor criterion, the MC-SSWR configuration shows the highest performance at Reynolds numbers below 400, but the MC-SAWR configuration outperformed the MC-SSWR configuration at Reynolds numbers above 400. Therefore, the MC-SAWR configuration is the best configuration that provides high cooling performance.

Experimental thermal-hydraulic characteristics of single-phase natural circulation loop using water-based hybrid nanofluids

Nanoparticle shape strongly affects the thermal-hydraulic behavior of nanofluid-enhanced single-phase natural circulation loop (SPNCL) but is yet to be explored experimentally. Hence, various mono/hybrid nanofluids having dissimilar shaped nanoparticles (Al2O3+Water, Al2O3+CuO + Water, Al2O3+SiC + Water, Al2O3+MWCNT + Water) with a 0.1% volume concentration, are used in SPNCL to investigate mass flow rate (MFR), heat exchanger effectiveness (HEE) and total entropy generation rate (TEGR). The effect of power input, coolant inlet temperature and loop inclination (both counter-clockwise and clockwise) on transient and steady-state performances are presented. The result reveals that mono/hybrid nanofluid shows enhanced HEE and lower TEGR as compared to base fluids, whereas the MFR may increase or decrease since the performance of SPNCL is significantly impacted by the nanoparticle's shape. Spherical-shaped nanoparticle-dispersed nanofluids show early flow initiation and higher MFR than cylindrical-shaped nanoparticle-dispersed nanofluids. MFR and TEGR rise with higher power input, whereas HEE declines for all working fluids. MFR and TEGR increase as the coolant inlet temperature rises, whereas HEE decreases for all working fluids. The loop inclination decreases the MFR, while it increases the HEE and TEGR. The Counter-clockwise inclination of the loop shows a higher MFR than the clockwise inclination at the same angle of inclination.

Matrixed modeling method and entropy generation minimization analysis of heat supply system based on standard thermal resistance

AbstractComplex implicit expressions and many intermediate parameters are not conducive to the application of entropy generation optimization to the performance of thermal and energy systems from component and system perspectives. In this paper, we derived matrix heat transport equations of three primary heat exchanger networks according to the heat current method. Based on the matrix equations, we established the matrixed model of a typical heat supply system and obtained the corresponding matrix equation reflecting the power topology structure of the system. Moreover, we derived and reconstructed a single heat exchanger's entropy generation rate expression based on the standard thermal resistance, which was only related to inlet temperatures, structural parameters, and operating parameters. The total system entropy generation rate was then derived and minimized by the Lagrange multiplier method. The optimization results provided the optimal distribution of the mass flow rate of each fluid. Besides, the influence of the heat transfer rate and outer loop inlet temperature on the optimization results revealed that local equipment parameters and conditions could affect the system's minimum entropy generation. The total entropy generation rate decreases by 17.5% when the outer loop inlet temperature was increased from 274 to 280 K. In conclusion, the matrixed modeling and entropy generation analysis are feasible for thermal system modeling and optimization.

Multi-criterion optimization of a biologically-produced nanofluid flow inside tubes fitted with coaxial twisted tape based on first and second law viewpoints

The current study deals with a numerical simulation of heat transfer inside enhanced tubes having the coaxial double-twisted tape in the presence of an eco-friendly nanofluid containing graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). The results unveil that when the particle concentration ( ϕ ) escalates, the thermal entropy generation rate ( S ̇ h ) tends to decline, whereas the heat transfer coefficient enhances. It was found that around 21.6% reduction in the S ̇ h is attained by a decrease of the twisted ratio ( ω ) from 3.5 to 2.5 at the concentration of 0.075% and Reynolds number of 10,000. Adding more GNPs to the water yields an increment in either the pressure drop or the frictional entropy generation. The findings refer to this issue that a multi-criterion optimization to find the best optimum state is required. A genetic algorithm-based optimization with the entropy generation rate, heat transfer, and pressure loss results in the optimum values at Re = 16,995.4, ϕ = 0.093%, and ω = 3.41. • Employing an eco-friendly nanofluid containing graphene nanosheets. • Second law analysis of a novel coaxial double twisted tape inside tubes. • Smaller twisted ratio causes further decrement in total entropy generation rate. • The higher Reynolds numbers weaken the positive effect of the nanofluid. • Multi-criterion optimization is done to determine the best optimum state.

Analysis of NO Formation and Entropy Generation in a Reactive Flow

A comprehensive investigation of turbulent combustion is accomplished to study the relationship between nitrogen oxide (NO) formation and entropy generation distribution in a non-premixed propane combustion. The radiation heat transfer and combustion are simulated, employing the discrete ordinates model and laminar flamelet model, respectively. A post processing model is employed to estimate the NO formation rate. The present results of NO species formation, mean temperature and velocity are compared with the existing experimental data, and good agreements are obtained. It is shown that the main region of total entropy generation rate and NO formation rate is at the same axial position. The entropy generation distribution may be defined as an index by which the combustion region and main region of NO formation are predicted. However, total entropy generation rate is more sensitive to high temperature (1500–1930 K) than that of NO formation rate. With an increase of 28.7% in temperature, the entropy generation and NO formation rates rise by 900% and 127%, respectively. The occurrence of chemical reactions plays the major role in the generation of entropy.

Entropy Generation Analysis in Turbulent Reacting Flows and Near Wall: A Review.

This paper provides a review of different contributions dedicated thus far to entropy generation analysis (EGA) in turbulent combustion systems. We account for various parametric studies that include wall boundedness, flow operating conditions, combustion regimes, fuels/alternative fuels and application geometries. Special attention is paid to experimental and numerical modeling works along with selected applications. First, the difficulties of performing comprehensive experiments that may support the understanding of entropy generation phenomena are outlined. Together with practical applications, the lumped approach to calculate the total entropy generation rate is presented. Apart from direct numerical simulation, numerical modeling approaches are described within the continuum formulation in the framework of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Considering the entropy transport equations in both Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes and large eddy simulation modeling, different modeling degrees of the entropy production terms are presented and discussed. Finally, exemplary investigations and validation cases going from generic or/and canonical configurations to practical configurations, such as internal combustion engines, gas turbines and power plants, are reported. Thereby, the areas for future research in the development of EGA for enabling efficient combustion systems are highlighted. Since EGA is known as a promising tool for optimization of combustion systems, this aspect is highlighted in this work.

Constructal Optimizations of Line-to-Line Vascular Channels with Turbulent Convection Heat Transfer.

The multi-scale line-to-line vascular channels (LVCs) widely exist in nature because of their excellent transmission characteristics. In this paper, models of LVCs with turbulent convection heat transfer are established. Based on constructal theory and the entropy generation minimization principle, the constructal optimizations of LVCs with any order are conducted by taking the angles at bifurcations as the optimization variables. The heat flux on the channel wall per unit length is fixed and uniform. The areas occupied by vasculature and the total volumes of channels are fixed. The analytical expressions of the optimal angles, dimensionless total entropy generation rate and entropy generation number (EGN) of LVCs with any order versus dimensionless mass flow rate are obtained, respectively. The results indicate that the dimensionless total entropy generation rate of LVCs with any order can be significantly decreased by optimizing the angles of LVCs, which is significantly more when the order of LVCs is higher. As the dimensionless mass flow rate increases, the optimal angles of LVCs with any order remain unchanged first, then the optimal angles at the entrance (root) increase, and the other optimal angles decrease continuously and finally tend to the respective stable values. The optimal angles of LVCs continue to increase from the entrance to the outlet (crown), i.e., the LVCs with a certain order gradually spread out from the root to the crown. The dimensionless total entropy generation rate and EGN of LVCs first decrease and then increase with the growth of the dimensionless mass flow rate. There is optimal dimensionless mass flow rate, making the dimensionless total entropy generation rate and the EGN reach their respective minimums. The results obtained herein can provide some new theoretical guidelines of thermal design and management for the practical applications of LVCs.

Performance improvement and thermodynamic assessment of microchannel heat sink with different types of ribs and cones

The present study aims to investigate the performance of microchannel heat sink via numerical simulations, based on the first and second law of thermodynamics. The heat transfer and flow characteristics of rectangular microchannel heat sinks have been improved by adding six different types of surface enhancers. The cross-sections include rectangular, triangular, and hexagonal-shaped ribs and cones. The cones have been created from the same cross-sections of ribs by drafting them at an angle of 45° orthogonal to the base, which is expected to decrease the pressure drop, dramatically. The performance of ribs and cones has been evaluated using different parameters such as friction factor, wall shear stress, entropy generation rate, augmentation entropy generation number, thermal resistance, and transport efficiency of thermal energy. The results of the present study revealed that the novel effect of coning at an angle of 45° reduces frictional losses (Maximum pressure drop reduced is 85%), however; a compromise on thermal behavior has been shown (Maximum Nusselt number reduced is 25%). Similarly, the application of coning has caused a significant reduction in wall shear stress and friction factor which can lead to reducing the pumping power requirements. Moreover, triangular ribs have more ability to transfer thermal energy than rectangular and hexagonal ribs. Furthermore, it has been examined in the present study that the trend of total entropy generation rate for triangular ribs decreases up to Re = 400 and then increases onwards which means that thermal losses are more significant than frictional losses at lower Reynolds number. However, frictional losses dominate over thermal losses at higher Reynolds numbers, where vortex generation takes place, especially in triangular ribs.