A CFD study on turbulent forced convection flow of Al₂O₃-water nanofluid in semi-circular corrugated channel

The performance of heat exchangers especially for single phase flows can be enhanced by many augmentation techniques. One of the most popular method used is a passive heat transfer technique. Researchers have been quite active in the search of novel ways on heat transfer augmentation techniques using various types of passive techniques to increase heat transfer performances of heat exchanger. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of heat transfer and friction factor analysis in a turbulent flow regime in semi-circle corrugated channels with Al₂O₃-water nanofluid is presented in this paper. Simulations are carried out at Reynolds number range of 10000-30000, with nanoparticle volume fractions 0-6% and constant heat flux condition. The results for corrugated channels are examined and compared to those for straight channels. Results show that the Nusselt number increased with the increase of nanoparticle volume fraction and Reynolds number. The Nusselt number was found to increase as the nanoparticle diameter decreased. Maximum Nusselt number enhancement ratio 2.07 at Reynolds number 30,000 and volume fraction 6%. (paper)