Experimental and numerical analysis for thermal-hydraulic characteristics in circular tubes with twisted tape and wire coil inserts

Abstract

Thermal-hydraulic characteristics in circular tubes with twisted tape (Y=4.762, 7.143 and 9.524) and wire coil (p=20mm, e=2mm) inserts were studied experimentally and numerically. It was found from experimental analysis that Nusselt number and friction factor in tubes with twisted tape inserts were 38%-57% and 148%-202%, respectively, higher than those of plain tubes.When wire coil was inserted in plain tubes, the Nusselt number and friction factor grew by 75%-94% and 685%-792%, respectively. In particular, Nusselt number and friction factor in tubes with twisted tape and wire coil inserts were 113%-139% and 836%-874%, respectively, greater than those of plain tubes. Furthermore, PEC value of tubes with the twisted tape and wire coil inserts was larger than all others. Numerical analysis shows that a large tangential velocity can be generated after inserting a twisted band or coil in the tube. The angle between the temperature gradient vector and velocity vector was significantly less than 90°. So collaborative degree between temperature field and velocity field was improved.