Performance Improvement of Plain-Plate Heat Exchangers Using Winglet Type Vortex

Counter rotating longitudinal vortices produced by a winglet pair in a channel are known to enhance heat transfer. In the present work the flow structure and heat-transfer enhancement by a rectangular winglet pair has been studied. A rectangular winglet pair type vortex generator is placed in laminar channel flow. Computations are done by solving the steady, three-dimensional, incompressible Navier–Strokes and energy equation using finite volume method. It is observed that as compared to a channel without winglets, local heat transfer is enhanced several times but the average heat transfer is enhanced by 38% when a winglet pair is employed. Effects of angle of attack of the winglets and Reynolds number on the heat transfer augmentation and pressure drop and compactness are presented.

Keywords:

Heat transfer , Vortex generator , Compactness , Fanning friction factor