Laminar forced convective heat transfer in a two-dimensional branching tee junction

Laminar forced convective heat transfer in a two-dimensional ninety degree branching tee junction is studied numerically. The governing elliptic equations are solved by a finite-difference numerical scheme utilizing primitive dependent variables. A wide range of Reynolds numbers and dividing flowrates is studied while the working fluid is air with constant properties which is heated via the constant temperature walls of the bifurcation. The location of the separation and reattachment points corresponding to the two recirculation zones which form near the bifurcation are quantified as a function of the Reynolds number and dividing flowrate. The variation of the local Nusselt number along the walls of the bifurcation is discussed in light of the direct effects of the highly perturbed flowfield