Computational Study of Convective Heat Transfer in Circular Pipe using Trapezoidal Ribs

Perturbations or interruptions provided in the passage of heat exchanger generate the vortices downstream. The formation of these natural vortices, augment local heat transfer abruptly. The effect on convective heat transfer enhancement and friction characteristics by providing trapezoidal ribs inside a circular pipe is computationally investigated in detail. Different variations of height, width and pitch of the ribs are used to optimize the rate of heat transfer through the pipe. Liquid water is employed as the working fluid. Input parameters of Reynolds Number ranging from 5000-60000 with axial flow along the pipe and constant heat flux of 50 W/cm² to the pipe surface is used. After validation with the existing literature, Realizable k-ε turbulent model with enhanced wall function is used in commercial CFD software ANSYS FLUENT. The outcome of the investigation shows that the ribs provided on the inside of the pipe surface enhance the turbulence in the flow and produce recirculation which disturb the thermal boundary layer behind the ribs and thus help in enhancing the rate of heat transfer through the pipe. (paper)