Enhancement of the Hydrodynamic Characteristics in Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers by Using W-Baffle Vortex Generators
Authors
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Younes Menni
Affiliation
Unit of Research on Materials and Renewable Energies, Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Abou Bekr Belkaid University, P. O. B. 119, 13000 Tlemcen, Algeria
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Ali J. Chamkha
Affiliation
Faculty of Engineering, Kuwait College of Science and Technology, 7th Ring Road, Doha, Kuwait
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Houari Ameur
Affiliation
Department of Technology, University Centre of Naama-Salhi Ahmed, P. O. B. 66, 45000 Naama, Algeria
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Mustafa Inc
AffiliationDepartment of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, Firat University, 23119 Elazig, Turkey
Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, 404 Taichung, Xueshi Road 91., Taiwan
Abstract
Improving the hydrodynamic characteristics of STHECs (Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchanger Channels) by using BVGs (Baffle-type Vortex Generators) is among the common passive methods due to their proved efficiency. In this computational investigation, the same method is used to enhance the hydrodynamic behavior of STHECs, by inserting W-shaped Baffle-type Vortex Generators. The numerical model represented by the computational FVM (Finite Volume Method) is used to simulate and analyzed the considered physical model. The fluid used is air, its thermal physical properties are constant, turbulent, incompressible, and its temperature is 300 K at the inlet section of the STHEC. The flow velocity ( Uin ) and atmospheric pressure ( Patm ) are considered as boundary conditions at the entrance (x = 0) and exit (x = L) of the channel, respectively. The results showed that the friction coefficients were related to the pressure, velocity, and Reynolds number values. High values of Re yielded an acceleration of the fluid, resulting thus in increased pressure on the solid walls and augmented friction values.
