Numerical investigation on heat transfer enhancement and turbulent flow characteristics in a high aspect ratio rectangular duct roughened by intersecting ribs with inclined ribs

Abstract

In this study, the effect of intersecting ribs with inclined ribs on the heat transfer and flow characteristics of a high aspect ratio duct has been numerically investigated. The Relative roughness pitch (P/e) is 10 and the Reynolds number range from 35,700 to 72,800. ANSYS (Fluent-Workbench 18.0) software has been utilized to solve the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with the Standard k-ε turbulence model. Three ribbed models have been used in this study. Model 1 which is a just inclined ribs, Model 2 which has a single longitudinal rib at the center with inclined ribs and Model 3 which has two longitudinal ribs at the sides. The results showed that the heat transfer rate has been enhanced when the intersecting ribs are used. Model 3 has achieved the highest overall thermal performance. The increasing in Nusselt number ratio (Nu /Nu_s ) for Model 3 and 2, relative to Model 1, are 13.19% and 7.03%, respectively. Consequently, the hybridizing by intersecting ribs with inclined ribs is considered as an advantageous technique to enhance the heat transfer.