Heat Transfer Performance and Flow Characteristics of a Heat Exchange Tube with Isosceles Trapezoidal Winglet Longitudinal Vortex Generators

The thermal-hydraulic performance of circular heat transfer tubes equipped with isosceles trapezoidal winglet longitudinal vortex generators (ITWL-VGs) was investigated through integrated experimental and numerical approaches. Experimental studies were conducted that focused on the effects of key pa...

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Main Authors: Lin Liu, Zhichun Ni, Haoyuan Tang, Hui Xu, Bingyun Jiang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1717
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author Lin Liu
Zhichun Ni
Haoyuan Tang
Hui Xu
Bingyun Jiang
author_facet Lin Liu
Zhichun Ni
Haoyuan Tang
Hui Xu
Bingyun Jiang
author_sort Lin Liu
collection DOAJ
description The thermal-hydraulic performance of circular heat transfer tubes equipped with isosceles trapezoidal winglet longitudinal vortex generators (ITWL-VGs) was investigated through integrated experimental and numerical approaches. Experimental studies were conducted that focused on the effects of key parameters: (1) the ITW quantity (<i>n</i> = 4, 6, 8); (2) the attack angle (α = 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°); and (3) four distinct VG arrangements. Numerical simulations employing multi-physical field analysis elucidated the underlying heat transfer enhancement mechanisms. The numerical simulations demonstrated excellent agreement with the experimental measurements. The results indicated that uniformly distributed ITWL-VGs with suitable angles of attack (α) significantly enhanced the thermal performance. Increasing the number of ITWs (<i>N</i>) generated additional longitudinal vortices, intensifying fluid mixing and heat transfer enhancement, thereby improving the <i>PEC</i> value. All the Nusselt number (<i>Nu</i>), friction factor (<i>f</i>) and <i>PEC</i> values exhibited positive correlations with the <i>α</i> and the spacing (<i>L<sub>P</sub></i>), respectively. Within the scope of this study, the <i>α</i> should not be less than 30°. In addition, an optimal value should be used for the <i>L<sub>P</sub></i>. The maximum <i>PEC</i> value was 1.27. These findings conclusively demonstrated the significant heat transfer enhancement capabilities of ITWL-VGs.
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spelling doaj-art-5767e1b6477d4499a8f9903a44ea5fd42025-08-20T03:08:56ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-03-01187171710.3390/en18071717Heat Transfer Performance and Flow Characteristics of a Heat Exchange Tube with Isosceles Trapezoidal Winglet Longitudinal Vortex GeneratorsLin Liu0Zhichun Ni1Haoyuan Tang2Hui Xu3Bingyun Jiang4Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Process Equipment, School of Mechanical Engineering and Rail Transit, Changzhou University, No. 21 Ge Hu Middle Road, Changzhou 213164, ChinaJiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Process Equipment, School of Mechanical Engineering and Rail Transit, Changzhou University, No. 21 Ge Hu Middle Road, Changzhou 213164, ChinaJiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Process Equipment, School of Mechanical Engineering and Rail Transit, Changzhou University, No. 21 Ge Hu Middle Road, Changzhou 213164, ChinaJiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Process Equipment, School of Mechanical Engineering and Rail Transit, Changzhou University, No. 21 Ge Hu Middle Road, Changzhou 213164, ChinaWanbang Digital Energy Co., Ltd., No. 39 Long Hui Road, Changzhou 213000, ChinaThe thermal-hydraulic performance of circular heat transfer tubes equipped with isosceles trapezoidal winglet longitudinal vortex generators (ITWL-VGs) was investigated through integrated experimental and numerical approaches. Experimental studies were conducted that focused on the effects of key parameters: (1) the ITW quantity (<i>n</i> = 4, 6, 8); (2) the attack angle (α = 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°); and (3) four distinct VG arrangements. Numerical simulations employing multi-physical field analysis elucidated the underlying heat transfer enhancement mechanisms. The numerical simulations demonstrated excellent agreement with the experimental measurements. The results indicated that uniformly distributed ITWL-VGs with suitable angles of attack (α) significantly enhanced the thermal performance. Increasing the number of ITWs (<i>N</i>) generated additional longitudinal vortices, intensifying fluid mixing and heat transfer enhancement, thereby improving the <i>PEC</i> value. All the Nusselt number (<i>Nu</i>), friction factor (<i>f</i>) and <i>PEC</i> values exhibited positive correlations with the <i>α</i> and the spacing (<i>L<sub>P</sub></i>), respectively. Within the scope of this study, the <i>α</i> should not be less than 30°. In addition, an optimal value should be used for the <i>L<sub>P</sub></i>. The maximum <i>PEC</i> value was 1.27. These findings conclusively demonstrated the significant heat transfer enhancement capabilities of ITWL-VGs.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1717isosceles trapezoidal wingletvortex generatorheat transfer enhancementheat exchange tubenumerical simulationexperiment
spellingShingle Lin Liu
Zhichun Ni
Haoyuan Tang
Hui Xu
Bingyun Jiang
Heat Transfer Performance and Flow Characteristics of a Heat Exchange Tube with Isosceles Trapezoidal Winglet Longitudinal Vortex Generators
Energies
isosceles trapezoidal winglet
vortex generator
heat transfer enhancement
heat exchange tube
numerical simulation
experiment
title Heat Transfer Performance and Flow Characteristics of a Heat Exchange Tube with Isosceles Trapezoidal Winglet Longitudinal Vortex Generators
title_full Heat Transfer Performance and Flow Characteristics of a Heat Exchange Tube with Isosceles Trapezoidal Winglet Longitudinal Vortex Generators
title_fullStr Heat Transfer Performance and Flow Characteristics of a Heat Exchange Tube with Isosceles Trapezoidal Winglet Longitudinal Vortex Generators
title_full_unstemmed Heat Transfer Performance and Flow Characteristics of a Heat Exchange Tube with Isosceles Trapezoidal Winglet Longitudinal Vortex Generators
title_short Heat Transfer Performance and Flow Characteristics of a Heat Exchange Tube with Isosceles Trapezoidal Winglet Longitudinal Vortex Generators
title_sort heat transfer performance and flow characteristics of a heat exchange tube with isosceles trapezoidal winglet longitudinal vortex generators
topic isosceles trapezoidal winglet
vortex generator
heat transfer enhancement
heat exchange tube
numerical simulation
experiment
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/7/1717
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