# Thermohydraulic Performance of a Series of In-Line Noncircular Ducts in a Parallel Plate Channel

Authors: Siddharth D. Mhaske; Soby P. Sunny; Sachin L. Borse; Yash B. Parikh
Journal: Journal of Thermodynamics
 (2014)

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## Abstract

Heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics for two-dimensional laminar flow at low Reynolds number for five in-line ducts of various nonconventional cross-sections in a parallel plate channel are studied in this paper. The governing equations were solved using finite-volume method. Commercial CFD software, ANSYS Fluent 14.5, was used to solve this problem. A total of three different nonconventional, noncircular cross-section ducts and their characteristics are compared with those of circular cross-section ducts. Shape-2 ducts offered minimum flow resistance and maximum heat transfer rate most of the time. Shape-3 ducts at Re < 100 and Shape-2 ducts at Re > 100 can be considered to give out the optimum results.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

The heat transfer enhancement in most of the engineering applications is a never ending process. The need for better heat transfer rate and low flow resistance has led to extensive research in the field of heat exchangers. Higher heat transfer rate and low pumping power are desirable properties of a heat exchanger. The duct shape and its arrangement highly influence flow characteristics in a heat exchanger. Flow past cylinders, especially circular, flat, oval, and diamond arranged in a parallel plate channel, were extensively studied by Bahaidarah et al. [1–3]. They carried domain discretization in body-fitted coordinate system while the governing equations were solved using a finite-volume technique. Chhabra [4] studied bluff bodies of different shapes like circle, ellipse, square, semicircle, equilateral triangle, and square submerged in non-Newtonian fluids. Kundu et al. [5, 6] investigated fluid flow and heat transfer coefficient experimentally over a series of in-line circular cylinders in parallel plates using two different aspect ratios for intermediate range of Re 220 to 2800. Grannis and Sparrow [7] obtained numerical solutions for the fluid flow in a heat exchanger consisting of an array of diamond-shaped pin fins. Implementation of the model was accomplished using the finite element method. Tanda [8] performed experiments on fluid flow and heat transfer for a rectangular channel with arrays of diamond shaped elements. Both in-line and staggered fin arrays were considered in his study. Jeng [9] experimentally investigated pressure drop and heat transfer of an in-line diamond shaped pin-fin array in a rectangular duct. Terukazu et al. [10] studied the heat transfer characteristics and flow behaviours around an elliptic cylinder at high Reynolds number. Gera et al. [11] numerically investigated a two-dimensional unsteady flow past a square cylinder for the Reynolds number (Re) considered in the range of 50–250. The features of the flow past the square cylinder were observed using CFD. Olawore and Odesola [12] numerically investigated two-dimensional unsteady flow past a rectangular cylinder. The effect of vortical structure and pressure distribution around the section of rectangular cylinders are studied in their work. Chen et al. [13, 14] analysed flow and conjugate heat transfer in a high-performance finned oval tube heat exchanger element and calculated them for a thermally and hydrodynamically developing three-dimensional laminar flow. Computations were performed with a finite-volume method based on the SIMPLEC algorithm.Zdravistch et al. [15] numerically predicted fluid flow and heat transfer around staggered and in-line tube banks and found out close agreement experimental test cases. Tahseen et al. [16] conducted numerical study of the two-dimensional forced convection heat transfer across three in-line flat tubes confined in a parallel plate channel, the flow under incompressible and steady-state conditions. They solved the system in the body-fitted coordinates (BFC) using the finite-volume method (FVM). Gautier et al. [17] proposed a new set of boundary conditions to improve the representation of the infinite flow domain.Conventional tube/duct shapes have been investigated for fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics. In this paper, two-dimensional, steady state, laminar flow over nonconventional noncircular (Shape-1, Shape-2, and Shape-3) in-line ducts confined in a parallel plate channel is considered. The different geometries investigated are Circular, Shape-1, Shape-2, and Shape-3. Only representative cases are discussed in this paper.


## 2. Mathematical Formulation

The governing mass, momentum, and energy conservation equations [1] for steady incompressible flow of a Newtonian fluid are expressed as
(1)Massconservation:∇·V→=0Momentumconservation:V→·(∇V→)=-∇p+v∇2V→Energyconservation:ρCpV→·(∇T)=k∇2T.Commercial CFD software, ANSYS Fluent 14.5, was used to solve the governing equations. The pressure-velocity coupling is done by semi-implicit method for pressure linked equations (SIMPLE) scheme.The grid for all the cases is generated using the Automatic Method with all Quadrilateral elements in the Mesh Component System of the ANSYS Fluent 14.5 software. In the numerical simulation, the grid of 11,000 nodes is found to be fair enough for grid independent solution. Refining the grid proved to be unnecessary, resulting in utilizing more computer resources. Figure2 shows the grid generated for all the configurations.


## 3. Geometric Configuration

A total of four different duct cross-sections, namely, Circular, Shape-1, Shape-2, and Shape-3 were analysed. The five in-line ducts were confined in a parallel plate channel. The distance between two consecutive ducts was kept constant.H/D, L/D, and l/D ratio (shown in Figure 1) kept constant for all cross-sections of the ducts. The height of obstruction is kept constant; that is, the diameter (D) of circular cross-section duct is taken for all the other cross-sections (see Figure 1). The unobstructed length of the pipe before the first and the last module is kept as one module length and three module lengths, respectively, so that the flow is fully developed. It is also ensured that the flow is fully developed when it enters the channel. The ducts and the parallel plate channel walls were assumed to be of infinite extent in the z-direction, that is, perpendicular to the paper. Hence, the flow could be considered as two-dimensional. Since, the geometry is symmetric along the x-axis, only the lower half portion is considered for the computation purpose.Various duct cross-sections studied in this work: (a) Circular cross-section ducts, (b) Shape-1 cross-section ducts, (c) Shape-2 cross-section ducts, (d) Shape-3 cross-section ducts.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)Grid for geometries considered: (a) Circular cross-section ducts, (b) Shape-1 cross-section ducts, (c) Shape-2 cross-section ducts, (d) Shape-3 cross-section ducts.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)


## 4. Boundary Conditions

Figure3 represents the schematic of the boundary conditions for all the cross-sections used. A fully developed flow with velocity profile (u=Uin) and with temperature (T=Tin) was assigned for the flow at inlet. The temperature was kept different from that of the plate and duct walls. A no slip (u=v=0) boundary condition was given to the plate and duct surface. The surface temperatures of the plates and the ducts were taken to be constant (T=Tw). At the symmetry, normal component of velocity and normal gradient of other velocity components were taken as zero. At the outflow boundary, there is no change in velocity across boundary.Figure 3
Flow domains studied in this study with the boundary condition.


## 5. Validation

The parallel plate channel problem corresponds to the rectangular duct with infinite aspect ratio. The calculated value of Nusselt number is 7.541. Comparing the calculated Nusselt number with that of the theoretical Nusselt number value of 7.54 [18] shows that our computed values are in good agreement with those of the theoretical values.Using the geometric parametersL/D=3 and H/D=2 for circular cross-section, the normalized pressure drop (Δp*), and Nusselt number for third module of the parallel plate channel, when compared with the values of Kundu et al. [5], shows good agreement between both the values.


## 6. Results and Discussions

The numerical simulation was carried out for Reynolds number ranging from 25 to 350 and Prandtl number was taken as 0.74.


### 6.1. Onset of Recirculation

For any duct shape, no separation of flow was observed below Re = 30. Circular duct displayed the signs of recirculation at the lowest Re value (Re = 32) [1]. The Shape-1 ducts displayed the onset of recirculation at Re value of 48; Shape-2 ducts showed the signs of onset of recirculation at Re = 60, while the Shape-3 showed the signs of recirculation just under Re = 40.As the values of Reynolds number are increased, the recirculation region starts increasing. At Re = 150, the length of the recirculation region is slightly smaller than the distance between the two consecutive ducts in the flow direction, while, at Re = 350, the length of the recirculation region is greater than the distance between the two consecutive ducts. Since there is no obstruction to the flow downstream of the last duct, the elliptic behaviour of the flow is observed as shown in Figures5–8.


### 6.2. Fluid Flow Characteristics

From Figures5, 6, 7, and 8, we can observe that the streamlines past the ducts 1–4 are similar in nature. Thus, the stream-wise velocity distributions at the module inlets (see Figure 9) and normalized pressure drop Figure 4 and module average Nusselt number for each module (Table 2) confirm the existence of periodically fully developed flow downstream of the second module. As the flow is periodically fully developed for the inner modules, it is sufficient to study one inner module so as to understand the essential of flow physics. In present study, we have selected module 3. Small variations for the first and the last modules are observed due to the end effects.Figure 4
Validation with previous work of Kundu et al. [5]: normalized pressure drop across third module.Effect of Reynolds number on the streamline over Circular cross-section ducts: (a) Re = 25, (b) Re = 150, and (c) Re = 300.
(a)
(b)
(c)Effect of Reynolds number on the streamline over Shape-1 cross-section ducts: (a) Re = 25, (b) Re = 150, and (c) Re = 300.
(a)
(b)
(c)Effect of Reynolds number on the streamline over Shape-2 cross-section ducts: (a) Re = 25, (b) Re = 150, and (c) Re = 300.
(a)
(b)
(c)Effect of Reynolds number on the streamline over Shape-3 cross-section ducts: (a) Re = 25, (b) Re = 150, and (c) Re = 300.
(a)
(b)
(c)Normalizedu-velocity profiles at inlet of modules at Re = 150.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)Figure10 shows the normalized (dimensionless) pressure drop (Δp*) as a function of Reynolds number. We can observe that, as the value of Re increases, there is descend in normalized pressure drop for all the ducts presented in this study.Figure 10
Variation of normalized pressure drop (Δp*) with Re for third module.The ratio of normalized pressure drop for noncircular duct module (Δp*) to that for the circular duct module (Δp0*) is shown in Figure 11. The Shape-1 ducts present pressure drop almost similar to that of the Circular ducts due to their geometric similarity. Shape- 2 ducts present lowest pressure drop ratio (Δp*/Δp0*), which means that they offer lower resistance to flow than the circular ducts till Re = 300 resulting in lower pumping power requirement. Shape-3 ducts present lower Δp*/Δp0* values till Re = 150, but, after Re = 150, they increase significantly, resulting in more pumping power.Figure 11
Variation ofΔp*/Δp0* with Re for third module.


### 6.3. Heat Transfer Characteristics

Figure12 presents the module average Nusselt number as a function of Re for module 3 for Shape-1, Shape-2, Shape-3, and Circular ducts Table 1. The Nusselt number for Re < 50 increases rapidly as the Re increases. Till Re = 50, there is no significant difference in Nusselt number values for different cross-section ducts, which implies that the duct shape has very little effect on heat transfer rate at Re < 50. At higher values of Re the recirculation of the flow takes place. These recirculation vortices do not transfer heat energy to the main stream of flow. Hence, their contribution to heat transfer is very less. At Re < 50, the Nu is almost the same for various cross-section ducts but, after Re = 50, the Nusselt number varies significantly with the cross-section of the duct. Circular cross-section ducts present the least Nu values till Re = 250, while Shape-2 cross-section ducts present the highest Nu values after Re = 250.Table 1
Validation with previous work of Kundu et al. [5]: module average Nusselt number for L/D=3, H/D=2.
Re
Second module
Third module
Fourth module
Kundu et al. [6]
50
9.4
9.4
9.8
Present work
9.51
9.48
9.48
Kundu et al. [6]
200
12.5
12.6
12.8
Present work
12.68
12.63
12.64Table 2
Comparison of normalized pressure drop and module average Nusselt number for all the geometric tube shapes.
Module
Circular
Shape-1
Shape-2
Shape-3
Δ
p
0
*
Nu0
Δ
p
*
Δ
p
*/Δp0*
Nu
Nu+
Nu*
Δ
p
*
Δ
p
*/Δp0*
Nu
Nu+
Nu*
Δ
p
*
Δ
p
*/Δp0*
Nu
Nu+
Nu*
Re = 25
1
8.020
6.882
8.090
1.009
7.017
1.020
1.017
7.985
0.996
7.032
1.022
1.023
7.966
0.993
7.029
1.021
1.024
2
8.118
6.890
8.177
1.007
7.015
1.018
1.016
8.058
0.993
7.033
1.021
1.023
8.061
0.993
7.039
1.022
1.024
3
8.113
6.883
8.182
1.009
7.021
1.020
1.017
8.045
0.992
7.024
1.021
1.023
8.060
0.994
7.030
1.021
1.024
4
8.104
6.885
8.174
1.009
7.009
1.018
1.015
8.044
0.993
7.032
1.021
1.024
8.058
0.994
7.035
1.022
1.024
5
8.128
6.908
8.191
1.008
6.938
1.004
1.002
8.084
0.994
7.067
1.023
1.025
8.064
0.992
7.053
1.021
1.024
Re = 50
1
4.538
9.486
4.525
0.997
9.799
1.033
1.034
4.442
0.979
9.827
1.036
1.043
4.476
0.986
9.832
1.037
1.041
2
4.507
9.517
4.498
0.998
9.769
1.027
1.027
4.419
0.980
9.812
1.031
1.038
4.418
0.980
9.855
1.036
1.042
3
4.510
9.482
4.501
0.998
9.797
1.033
1.034
4.407
0.977
9.772
1.031
1.039
4.434
0.983
9.814
1.035
1.041
4
4.500
9.479
4.497
0.999
9.766
1.030
1.030
4.406
0.979
9.777
1.031
1.039
4.429
0.984
9.813
1.035
1.041
5
4.496
9.509
4.482
0.997
9.794
1.030
1.031
4.406
0.980
9.788
1.029
1.036
4.394
0.977
9.851
1.036
1.044
Re = 100
1
3.208
11.340
3.130
0.976
11.711
1.033
1.041
3.038
0.947
11.711
1.033
1.052
3.117
0.972
11.768
1.038
1.048
2
2.690
11.224
2.692
1.001
11.422
1.018
1.017
2.658
0.988
11.487
1.023
1.027
2.620
0.974
11.570
1.031
1.040
3
2.729
11.134
2.702
0.990
11.478
1.031
1.034
2.631
0.964
11.384
1.022
1.035
2.684
0.984
11.469
1.030
1.036
4
2.697
11.123
2.701
1.002
11.412
1.026
1.025
2.627
0.974
11.391
1.024
1.033
2.664
0.988
11.470
1.031
1.035
5
2.662
11.172
2.623
0.985
11.437
1.024
1.029
2.565
0.964
11.383
1.019
1.032
2.546
0.956
11.507
1.030
1.046
Re = 150
1
2.871
12.588
2.779
0.968
13.009
1.033
1.045
2.696
0.939
12.954
1.029
1.051
2.774
0.966
13.110
1.041
1.053
2
2.020
12.070
2.055
1.017
12.258
1.016
1.010
2.044
1.012
12.345
1.023
1.019
1.981
0.981
12.361
1.024
1.031
3
2.071
11.973
2.058
0.994
12.281
1.026
1.028
2.001
0.966
12.195
1.019
1.030
2.068
0.998
12.253
1.023
1.024
4
2.028
11.937
2.065
1.018
12.238
1.025
1.019
1.992
0.982
12.187
1.021
1.027
2.036
1.004
12.238
1.025
1.024
5
2.008
11.988
1.968
0.980
12.188
1.017
1.024
1.926
0.959
12.136
1.012
1.027
1.896
0.944
12.199
1.018
1.037
Re = 200
1
2.684
14.053
2.604
0.970
14.523
1.033
1.044
2.532
0.943
14.389
1.024
1.044
2.608
0.972
14.705
1.046
1.056
2
1.667
12.681
1.723
1.033
12.967
1.023
1.011
1.716
1.029
13.062
1.030
1.020
1.643
0.986
12.882
1.016
1.021
3
1.707
12.630
1.704
0.998
12.825
1.015
1.016
1.666
0.976
12.852
1.018
1.026
1.733
1.015
12.887
1.020
1.015
4
1.664
12.548
1.726
1.037
12.940
1.031
1.019
1.648
0.990
12.789
1.019
1.023
1.693
1.017
12.833
1.023
1.017
5
1.668
12.435
1.630
0.978
12.579
1.012
1.019
1.606
0.963
12.592
1.013
1.026
1.565
0.938
12.512
1.006
1.028
Re = 250
1
2.551
15.706
2.491
0.976
16.322
1.039
1.048
2.429
0.952
16.142
1.028
1.045
2.502
0.981
16.582
1.056
1.063
2
1.450
13.225
1.518
1.047
13.637
1.031
1.016
1.506
1.039
13.650
1.032
1.019
1.431
0.987
13.305
1.006
1.011
3
1.474
13.175
1.475
1.001
13.207
1.002
1.002
1.456
0.988
13.458
1.021
1.026
1.518
1.030
13.420
1.019
1.009
4
1.435
13.125
1.514
1.055
13.601
1.036
1.018
1.429
0.996
13.295
1.013
1.014
1.472
1.026
13.282
1.012
1.003
5
1.454
12.525
1.425
0.981
12.601
1.006
1.013
1.414
0.973
12.720
1.016
1.025
1.364
0.938
12.540
1.001
1.023
Re = 300
1
2.450
17.352
2.409
0.983
18.224
1.050
1.056
2.355
0.961
18.024
1.039
1.053
2.423
0.989
18.499
1.066
1.070
2
1.302
13.717
1.377
1.057
14.209
1.036
1.017
1.358
1.043
14.106
1.028
1.014
1.285
0.986
13.703
0.999
1.004
3
1.311
13.625
1.315
1.003
13.526
0.993
0.992
1.312
1.001
14.001
1.028
1.027
1.368
1.043
13.850
1.017
1.002
4
1.277
13.681
1.366
1.070
14.198
1.038
1.015
1.277
1.000
13.741
1.004
1.004
1.316
1.031
13.600
0.994
0.984
5
1.302
12.435
1.287
0.989
12.521
1.007
1.011
1.284
0.986
12.713
1.022
1.027
1.227
0.942
12.514
1.006
1.026
Re = 350
1
2.370
18.945
2.347
0.990
20.124
1.062
1.066
2.298
0.969
19.925
1.052
1.063
2.358
0.995
20.379
1.076
1.078
2
1.194
14.149
1.272
1.066
14.681
1.038
1.016
1.245
1.043
14.471
1.023
1.008
1.177
0.986
14.051
0.993
0.998
3
1.190
14.009
1.196
1.004
13.812
0.986
0.985
1.205
1.012
14.474
1.033
1.029
1.256
1.055
14.217
1.015
0.997
4
1.160
14.185
1.255
1.082
14.712
1.037
1.010
1.163
1.003
14.127
0.996
0.995
1.198
1.033
13.823
0.975
0.964
5
1.186
12.299
1.186
1.000
12.455
1.013
1.013
1.187
1.001
12.694
1.032
1.032
1.124
0.948
12.483
1.015
1.033Figure 12
Variation of Nu with Re for third module.Figure13 presents the heat transfer enhancement ratio (Nu+) as a function of Re for module 3 for Shape-1, Shape-2, and Shape-3 ducts. Nu+ is the ratio of Nusselt number for noncircular duct module (Nu) to that for the circular duct module (Nu0). It represents how effective the heat transfer rate will be using the noncircular ducts as compared to the circular ducts. For Re < 50, all the ducts show similar Nu+ values. Shape-2 ducts show least Nu+ values at Re < 200 but, after Re = 200, they rise up significantly giving highest Nu+ values as compared to their counter parts. Shape-1 ducts show constant drop in the Nu+ values and, at Re > 250, they have heat transfer rate less than the circular ducts.Figure 13
Variation of Nu+ with Re for third module.Figure14 presents the heat transfer performance ratio (Nu*) as a function of Re for module 3 for Shape-1, Shape-2, and Shape-3 ducts. Nu* represents heat transfer enhancement per unit increase in pumping power. The Shape-1 ducts performed poorly as compared to Circular ducts at Re > 250. Shape-3 ducts presented good results at Re < 100 but then they presented a constant drop in the Nu* values, while Shape-2 ducts displayed promising results after Re = 100.Figure 14
Variation ofNu* with Re for third module.


## 6.1. Onset of Recirculation

For any duct shape, no separation of flow was observed below Re = 30. Circular duct displayed the signs of recirculation at the lowest Re value (Re = 32) [1]. The Shape-1 ducts displayed the onset of recirculation at Re value of 48; Shape-2 ducts showed the signs of onset of recirculation at Re = 60, while the Shape-3 showed the signs of recirculation just under Re = 40.As the values of Reynolds number are increased, the recirculation region starts increasing. At Re = 150, the length of the recirculation region is slightly smaller than the distance between the two consecutive ducts in the flow direction, while, at Re = 350, the length of the recirculation region is greater than the distance between the two consecutive ducts. Since there is no obstruction to the flow downstream of the last duct, the elliptic behaviour of the flow is observed as shown in Figures5–8.


## 6.2. Fluid Flow Characteristics

From Figures5, 6, 7, and 8, we can observe that the streamlines past the ducts 1–4 are similar in nature. Thus, the stream-wise velocity distributions at the module inlets (see Figure 9) and normalized pressure drop Figure 4 and module average Nusselt number for each module (Table 2) confirm the existence of periodically fully developed flow downstream of the second module. As the flow is periodically fully developed for the inner modules, it is sufficient to study one inner module so as to understand the essential of flow physics. In present study, we have selected module 3. Small variations for the first and the last modules are observed due to the end effects.Figure 4
Validation with previous work of Kundu et al. [5]: normalized pressure drop across third module.Effect of Reynolds number on the streamline over Circular cross-section ducts: (a) Re = 25, (b) Re = 150, and (c) Re = 300.
(a)
(b)
(c)Effect of Reynolds number on the streamline over Shape-1 cross-section ducts: (a) Re = 25, (b) Re = 150, and (c) Re = 300.
(a)
(b)
(c)Effect of Reynolds number on the streamline over Shape-2 cross-section ducts: (a) Re = 25, (b) Re = 150, and (c) Re = 300.
(a)
(b)
(c)Effect of Reynolds number on the streamline over Shape-3 cross-section ducts: (a) Re = 25, (b) Re = 150, and (c) Re = 300.
(a)
(b)
(c)Normalizedu-velocity profiles at inlet of modules at Re = 150.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)Figure10 shows the normalized (dimensionless) pressure drop (Δp*) as a function of Reynolds number. We can observe that, as the value of Re increases, there is descend in normalized pressure drop for all the ducts presented in this study.Figure 10
Variation of normalized pressure drop (Δp*) with Re for third module.The ratio of normalized pressure drop for noncircular duct module (Δp*) to that for the circular duct module (Δp0*) is shown in Figure 11. The Shape-1 ducts present pressure drop almost similar to that of the Circular ducts due to their geometric similarity. Shape- 2 ducts present lowest pressure drop ratio (Δp*/Δp0*), which means that they offer lower resistance to flow than the circular ducts till Re = 300 resulting in lower pumping power requirement. Shape-3 ducts present lower Δp*/Δp0* values till Re = 150, but, after Re = 150, they increase significantly, resulting in more pumping power.Figure 11
Variation ofΔp*/Δp0* with Re for third module.


## 6.3. Heat Transfer Characteristics

Figure12 presents the module average Nusselt number as a function of Re for module 3 for Shape-1, Shape-2, Shape-3, and Circular ducts Table 1. The Nusselt number for Re < 50 increases rapidly as the Re increases. Till Re = 50, there is no significant difference in Nusselt number values for different cross-section ducts, which implies that the duct shape has very little effect on heat transfer rate at Re < 50. At higher values of Re the recirculation of the flow takes place. These recirculation vortices do not transfer heat energy to the main stream of flow. Hence, their contribution to heat transfer is very less. At Re < 50, the Nu is almost the same for various cross-section ducts but, after Re = 50, the Nusselt number varies significantly with the cross-section of the duct. Circular cross-section ducts present the least Nu values till Re = 250, while Shape-2 cross-section ducts present the highest Nu values after Re = 250.Table 1
Validation with previous work of Kundu et al. [5]: module average Nusselt number for L/D=3, H/D=2.
Re
Second module
Third module
Fourth module
Kundu et al. [6]
50
9.4
9.4
9.8
Present work
9.51
9.48
9.48
Kundu et al. [6]
200
12.5
12.6
12.8
Present work
12.68
12.63
12.64Table 2
Comparison of normalized pressure drop and module average Nusselt number for all the geometric tube shapes.
Module
Circular
Shape-1
Shape-2
Shape-3
Δ
p
0
*
Nu0
Δ
p
*
Δ
p
*/Δp0*
Nu
Nu+
Nu*
Δ
p
*
Δ
p
*/Δp0*
Nu
Nu+
Nu*
Δ
p
*
Δ
p
*/Δp0*
Nu
Nu+
Nu*
Re = 25
1
8.020
6.882
8.090
1.009
7.017
1.020
1.017
7.985
0.996
7.032
1.022
1.023
7.966
0.993
7.029
1.021
1.024
2
8.118
6.890
8.177
1.007
7.015
1.018
1.016
8.058
0.993
7.033
1.021
1.023
8.061
0.993
7.039
1.022
1.024
3
8.113
6.883
8.182
1.009
7.021
1.020
1.017
8.045
0.992
7.024
1.021
1.023
8.060
0.994
7.030
1.021
1.024
4
8.104
6.885
8.174
1.009
7.009
1.018
1.015
8.044
0.993
7.032
1.021
1.024
8.058
0.994
7.035
1.022
1.024
5
8.128
6.908
8.191
1.008
6.938
1.004
1.002
8.084
0.994
7.067
1.023
1.025
8.064
0.992
7.053
1.021
1.024
Re = 50
1
4.538
9.486
4.525
0.997
9.799
1.033
1.034
4.442
0.979
9.827
1.036
1.043
4.476
0.986
9.832
1.037
1.041
2
4.507
9.517
4.498
0.998
9.769
1.027
1.027
4.419
0.980
9.812
1.031
1.038
4.418
0.980
9.855
1.036
1.042
3
4.510
9.482
4.501
0.998
9.797
1.033
1.034
4.407
0.977
9.772
1.031
1.039
4.434
0.983
9.814
1.035
1.041
4
4.500
9.479
4.497
0.999
9.766
1.030
1.030
4.406
0.979
9.777
1.031
1.039
4.429
0.984
9.813
1.035
1.041
5
4.496
9.509
4.482
0.997
9.794
1.030
1.031
4.406
0.980
9.788
1.029
1.036
4.394
0.977
9.851
1.036
1.044
Re = 100
1
3.208
11.340
3.130
0.976
11.711
1.033
1.041
3.038
0.947
11.711
1.033
1.052
3.117
0.972
11.768
1.038
1.048
2
2.690
11.224
2.692
1.001
11.422
1.018
1.017
2.658
0.988
11.487
1.023
1.027
2.620
0.974
11.570
1.031
1.040
3
2.729
11.134
2.702
0.990
11.478
1.031
1.034
2.631
0.964
11.384
1.022
1.035
2.684
0.984
11.469
1.030
1.036
4
2.697
11.123
2.701
1.002
11.412
1.026
1.025
2.627
0.974
11.391
1.024
1.033
2.664
0.988
11.470
1.031
1.035
5
2.662
11.172
2.623
0.985
11.437
1.024
1.029
2.565
0.964
11.383
1.019
1.032
2.546
0.956
11.507
1.030
1.046
Re = 150
1
2.871
12.588
2.779
0.968
13.009
1.033
1.045
2.696
0.939
12.954
1.029
1.051
2.774
0.966
13.110
1.041
1.053
2
2.020
12.070
2.055
1.017
12.258
1.016
1.010
2.044
1.012
12.345
1.023
1.019
1.981
0.981
12.361
1.024
1.031
3
2.071
11.973
2.058
0.994
12.281
1.026
1.028
2.001
0.966
12.195
1.019
1.030
2.068
0.998
12.253
1.023
1.024
4
2.028
11.937
2.065
1.018
12.238
1.025
1.019
1.992
0.982
12.187
1.021
1.027
2.036
1.004
12.238
1.025
1.024
5
2.008
11.988
1.968
0.980
12.188
1.017
1.024
1.926
0.959
12.136
1.012
1.027
1.896
0.944
12.199
1.018
1.037
Re = 200
1
2.684
14.053
2.604
0.970
14.523
1.033
1.044
2.532
0.943
14.389
1.024
1.044
2.608
0.972
14.705
1.046
1.056
2
1.667
12.681
1.723
1.033
12.967
1.023
1.011
1.716
1.029
13.062
1.030
1.020
1.643
0.986
12.882
1.016
1.021
3
1.707
12.630
1.704
0.998
12.825
1.015
1.016
1.666
0.976
12.852
1.018
1.026
1.733
1.015
12.887
1.020
1.015
4
1.664
12.548
1.726
1.037
12.940
1.031
1.019
1.648
0.990
12.789
1.019
1.023
1.693
1.017
12.833
1.023
1.017
5
1.668
12.435
1.630
0.978
12.579
1.012
1.019
1.606
0.963
12.592
1.013
1.026
1.565
0.938
12.512
1.006
1.028
Re = 250
1
2.551
15.706
2.491
0.976
16.322
1.039
1.048
2.429
0.952
16.142
1.028
1.045
2.502
0.981
16.582
1.056
1.063
2
1.450
13.225
1.518
1.047
13.637
1.031
1.016
1.506
1.039
13.650
1.032
1.019
1.431
0.987
13.305
1.006
1.011
3
1.474
13.175
1.475
1.001
13.207
1.002
1.002
1.456
0.988
13.458
1.021
1.026
1.518
1.030
13.420
1.019
1.009
4
1.435
13.125
1.514
1.055
13.601
1.036
1.018
1.429
0.996
13.295
1.013
1.014
1.472
1.026
13.282
1.012
1.003
5
1.454
12.525
1.425
0.981
12.601
1.006
1.013
1.414
0.973
12.720
1.016
1.025
1.364
0.938
12.540
1.001
1.023
Re = 300
1
2.450
17.352
2.409
0.983
18.224
1.050
1.056
2.355
0.961
18.024
1.039
1.053
2.423
0.989
18.499
1.066
1.070
2
1.302
13.717
1.377
1.057
14.209
1.036
1.017
1.358
1.043
14.106
1.028
1.014
1.285
0.986
13.703
0.999
1.004
3
1.311
13.625
1.315
1.003
13.526
0.993
0.992
1.312
1.001
14.001
1.028
1.027
1.368
1.043
13.850
1.017
1.002
4
1.277
13.681
1.366
1.070
14.198
1.038
1.015
1.277
1.000
13.741
1.004
1.004
1.316
1.031
13.600
0.994
0.984
5
1.302
12.435
1.287
0.989
12.521
1.007
1.011
1.284
0.986
12.713
1.022
1.027
1.227
0.942
12.514
1.006
1.026
Re = 350
1
2.370
18.945
2.347
0.990
20.124
1.062
1.066
2.298
0.969
19.925
1.052
1.063
2.358
0.995
20.379
1.076
1.078
2
1.194
14.149
1.272
1.066
14.681
1.038
1.016
1.245
1.043
14.471
1.023
1.008
1.177
0.986
14.051
0.993
0.998
3
1.190
14.009
1.196
1.004
13.812
0.986
0.985
1.205
1.012
14.474
1.033
1.029
1.256
1.055
14.217
1.015
0.997
4
1.160
14.185
1.255
1.082
14.712
1.037
1.010
1.163
1.003
14.127
0.996
0.995
1.198
1.033
13.823
0.975
0.964
5
1.186
12.299
1.186
1.000
12.455
1.013
1.013
1.187
1.001
12.694
1.032
1.032
1.124
0.948
12.483
1.015
1.033Figure 12
Variation of Nu with Re for third module.Figure13 presents the heat transfer enhancement ratio (Nu+) as a function of Re for module 3 for Shape-1, Shape-2, and Shape-3 ducts. Nu+ is the ratio of Nusselt number for noncircular duct module (Nu) to that for the circular duct module (Nu0). It represents how effective the heat transfer rate will be using the noncircular ducts as compared to the circular ducts. For Re < 50, all the ducts show similar Nu+ values. Shape-2 ducts show least Nu+ values at Re < 200 but, after Re = 200, they rise up significantly giving highest Nu+ values as compared to their counter parts. Shape-1 ducts show constant drop in the Nu+ values and, at Re > 250, they have heat transfer rate less than the circular ducts.Figure 13
Variation of Nu+ with Re for third module.Figure14 presents the heat transfer performance ratio (Nu*) as a function of Re for module 3 for Shape-1, Shape-2, and Shape-3 ducts. Nu* represents heat transfer enhancement per unit increase in pumping power. The Shape-1 ducts performed poorly as compared to Circular ducts at Re > 250. Shape-3 ducts presented good results at Re < 100 but then they presented a constant drop in the Nu* values, while Shape-2 ducts displayed promising results after Re = 100.Figure 14
Variation ofNu* with Re for third module.


## 7. Conclusion

In an environment where the heat transfer rate and pumping power is critical, Shape-2 ducts show promising results as compared to their counterparts. The duct shape has very little influence on the heat transfer rate at low Reynolds number. For optimal design of a heat exchanger for heat transfer enhancement per unit increase in pumping power, Reynolds number and cross-section of the duct must be carefully chosen. So, for heat exchanger, Shape-3 ducts at Re < 100 and Shape-2 ducts at Re > 100 can be considered to give out the optimum results.



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*Source: 670129-2014-09-21.xml*