Flow Pattern Investigation and Thermohydraulic Performance Enhancement in Three-Dimensional Circular Pipe under Varying Corrugation Configurations

Abstract

Varying methods were tested on the improvement of heat transfer in order to upgrade the concerning equipment, mostly in thermal performance devices. These methods revealed important impacts when employed in heat exchanger pipes. One of the significant methods utilized was the passive performance technique. Corrugations characterize the passive method. Moreover, it offers efficient enhancement of heat transfer due to its joint turbulators and extended surface features. So, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) method is applied for water flowing with a range of Reynolds number (Re) from 1500 to 23000 in different corrugated pipes configurations. This research target to investigate the flow pattern, pressure drop, and thermal performance for smooth and corrugated pipes. The criteria of thermal performance evaluation are analysed for corrugated pipes, and the computational outcomes of pressure drop, heat transfer coefficient (h), friction factor Nusselt number (Nu), ratios of (f/fo) and (Nu/Nuo) are investigated with those of smooth plain. Outcomes revealed the best range of thermal performance is between 1.3 to 1.1 for the pipe, which has the corrugated ring diameter 0.5 mm for Re of 1500.