Numerical analysis of heat and nanofluid mass transfer in a channel with detached and attached baffle plates

Abstract

In the present analysis, the heat and Al2O3-H2O nanofluid mass transfer through a two-dimensional channel with detached and attached baffle plates is numerically characterized and investigated. The physical aspect is governed by the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, with the standard k-epsilon (ε) turbulence model and the energy equation. The Finite Volume Method (FVM), with the Semi Implicit Method for Pressure Linked Equations (SIMPLE) algorithm, and the Quadratic Upstream Interpolation for Convective Kinetics (Quick) numerical scheme, by means of the Commercial CFD software FLUENT are used in this analysis. The nanofluid dynamics, heat transfer, and friction loss according to different stations in the computational domain are shown in detail. As expected, the presence of nanoparticles and baffle plates has significant effects of heat transfer, and the results of the present analysis may be applied for the design, optimization and flow control of many thermal applications involving nanofluid field effects.