Experimental Investigation of Forced Convection Heat Transfer through a Square Duct Provided with Different Configurations of V-Shaped Rib Turbulators: Effects of V-Shaped Rib Turbulators on Heat Transfer in a Square Duct

Abstract

This research focuses on the results of an experimental investigation of heat transfer to the air flowing through a square duct. The enhancement in the heat transfer is achieved by roughening the vertical walls of the square duct using different configurations of V-shaped rib turbulators made of aluminium material. The walls of this duct are uniformly heated by using band heater. The effect of different configurations of V-shaped rib turbulators on the heat transfer coefficient and friction factor is investigated at different flow rates of air and at different heat inputs. The system parameters and operating parameters are varied and the investigation is done within the limits, as power input 150-600 W, velocity of air flow from 2.5-5 m/s, against the variation of Reynolds number: 18500-36000. It is observed that the duct provided with 60° parallel continuous V-shaped rib turbulator shows optimum performance. Also the experimental values of heat transfer coefficient and friction factor are compared with the ones obtained from correlations.