Numerical Methodology for Enhancing Heat Transfer in a Channel with Arc-Vane Baffles
This study numerically investigates flow and heat transfer in a channel with arc-vane baffles at various radius-to-channel high ratios (<i>r</i>/<i>H</i> = 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, and 0.5) for Reynolds numbers between 6000 and 24,000, focusing on solar air-heater applications. Th...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Computation |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3197/13/3/71 |
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| author | Piphatpong Thapmanee Arnut Phila Khwanchit Wongcharee Naoki Maruyama Masafumi Hirota Varesa Chuwattanakul Smith Eiamsa-ard |
| author_facet | Piphatpong Thapmanee Arnut Phila Khwanchit Wongcharee Naoki Maruyama Masafumi Hirota Varesa Chuwattanakul Smith Eiamsa-ard |
| author_sort | Piphatpong Thapmanee |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study numerically investigates flow and heat transfer in a channel with arc-vane baffles at various radius-to-channel high ratios (<i>r</i>/<i>H</i> = 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, and 0.5) for Reynolds numbers between 6000 and 24,000, focusing on solar air-heater applications. The calculations utilize the finite volume method, and the SIMPLE algorithm is executed with the QUICK scheme. For the analysis of turbulent flow, the finite volume method with the Renormalization Group (RNG) <i>k-ε</i> turbulence model was used. The results show that arc-vane baffles create double vortices along the axial direction, promoting flow reattachment on the heated surface and enhancing heat transfer. Baffles with smaller <i>r</i>/<i>H</i> ratios strengthen flow reattachment, reduce dead zones, and improve fluid contact with the heat transfer surface. The baffles with the smallest <i>r</i>/<i>H</i> ratio achieve a Nusselt number ratio (<i>Nu</i>/<i>Nu<sub>s</sub></i>) of 4.91 at <i>Re</i> = 6000. As <i>r</i>/<i>H</i> increases, the friction factor (<i>f</i>) and friction factor ratio (<i>f</i>/<i>f<sub>s</sub></i>) rise due to increased baffle curvature and surface area. The highest thermal performance factor (<i>TPF</i>) of 2.28 occurs at <i>r</i>/<i>H</i> = 0.125 and <i>Re</i> = 6000, reflecting an optimal balance of heat transfer and friction losses. Arc-vane baffles with a <i>r</i>/<i>H</i> ratio of 0.125 yield a <i>TPF</i> exceeding unity, indicating potential energy savings. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing baffle designs to enhance thermal performance in practical applications. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-35b94989ac2d4f398871c75afe8effed |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-3197 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Computation |
| spelling | doaj-art-35b94989ac2d4f398871c75afe8effed2025-08-20T03:43:33ZengMDPI AGComputation2079-31972025-03-011337110.3390/computation13030071Numerical Methodology for Enhancing Heat Transfer in a Channel with Arc-Vane BafflesPiphatpong Thapmanee0Arnut Phila1Khwanchit Wongcharee2Naoki Maruyama3Masafumi Hirota4Varesa Chuwattanakul5Smith Eiamsa-ard6School of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Bangkok 10530, ThailandSchool of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Bangkok 10530, ThailandSchool of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Bangkok 10530, ThailandEngineering Innovation Unit, Graduate School of Regional Innovation Studies, Mie University, Tsu 514-8507, Mie, JapanDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Aichi Institute of Technology, Toyota 470-0392, Aichi, JapanSchool of Engineering, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok 10520, ThailandSchool of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Mahanakorn University of Technology, Bangkok 10530, ThailandThis study numerically investigates flow and heat transfer in a channel with arc-vane baffles at various radius-to-channel high ratios (<i>r</i>/<i>H</i> = 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, and 0.5) for Reynolds numbers between 6000 and 24,000, focusing on solar air-heater applications. The calculations utilize the finite volume method, and the SIMPLE algorithm is executed with the QUICK scheme. For the analysis of turbulent flow, the finite volume method with the Renormalization Group (RNG) <i>k-ε</i> turbulence model was used. The results show that arc-vane baffles create double vortices along the axial direction, promoting flow reattachment on the heated surface and enhancing heat transfer. Baffles with smaller <i>r</i>/<i>H</i> ratios strengthen flow reattachment, reduce dead zones, and improve fluid contact with the heat transfer surface. The baffles with the smallest <i>r</i>/<i>H</i> ratio achieve a Nusselt number ratio (<i>Nu</i>/<i>Nu<sub>s</sub></i>) of 4.91 at <i>Re</i> = 6000. As <i>r</i>/<i>H</i> increases, the friction factor (<i>f</i>) and friction factor ratio (<i>f</i>/<i>f<sub>s</sub></i>) rise due to increased baffle curvature and surface area. The highest thermal performance factor (<i>TPF</i>) of 2.28 occurs at <i>r</i>/<i>H</i> = 0.125 and <i>Re</i> = 6000, reflecting an optimal balance of heat transfer and friction losses. Arc-vane baffles with a <i>r</i>/<i>H</i> ratio of 0.125 yield a <i>TPF</i> exceeding unity, indicating potential energy savings. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing baffle designs to enhance thermal performance in practical applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3197/13/3/71arc-vane bafflechannelheat transfer enhancementsolar air heatervortex |
| spellingShingle | Piphatpong Thapmanee Arnut Phila Khwanchit Wongcharee Naoki Maruyama Masafumi Hirota Varesa Chuwattanakul Smith Eiamsa-ard Numerical Methodology for Enhancing Heat Transfer in a Channel with Arc-Vane Baffles Computation arc-vane baffle channel heat transfer enhancement solar air heater vortex |
| title | Numerical Methodology for Enhancing Heat Transfer in a Channel with Arc-Vane Baffles |
| title_full | Numerical Methodology for Enhancing Heat Transfer in a Channel with Arc-Vane Baffles |
| title_fullStr | Numerical Methodology for Enhancing Heat Transfer in a Channel with Arc-Vane Baffles |
| title_full_unstemmed | Numerical Methodology for Enhancing Heat Transfer in a Channel with Arc-Vane Baffles |
| title_short | Numerical Methodology for Enhancing Heat Transfer in a Channel with Arc-Vane Baffles |
| title_sort | numerical methodology for enhancing heat transfer in a channel with arc vane baffles |
| topic | arc-vane baffle channel heat transfer enhancement solar air heater vortex |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-3197/13/3/71 |
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