Vortex generators position effect on heat transfer and nanofluid homogeneity: A numerical investigation and sensitivity analysis. (25th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mamourian, Mojtaba; Milani Shirvan, Kamel; Mirzakhanlari, Soroush; Rahimi, A.B.
• Is Part Of: Applied thermal engineering. Volume 107(2016:Aug.)
• Page Start: 1233
• Page End: 1247
• Publication Date: 2016-08-25
• Subjects: Response Surface Methodology -- Sensitivity analysis -- Vortex generators -- Lagrangian-Eulerian model -- Homogeneity of nanofluid -- Solar heat exchanger; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heating -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 621.40205
• DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.07.068
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-4311

Abstract

Highlights: Optimization study is performed using CFD analyses and RSM. The mean Nusselt number sensitivity to Re is positive. The nano-particles concentration distribution sensitivity to Re and Ф is negative. The Nu number is more sensitive to Re number than nanoparticles distribution. Abstract: A 2-D numerical study and a sensitivity analysis of convective heat transfer in a channel with vortex generators for application in solar heat exchangers are investigated using a Lagrangian-Eulerian model along with determination of the Nanoparticles concentration distribution. Numerical simulations are carried out to study the effects of Reynolds number (50 ⩽ Re ⩽ 250), Nanoparticles volume fraction (0.01 ⩽ Ф ⩽ 0.04), distance between two vortex generators (10 mm ⩽ d ⩽ 20 mm) and the angles between them (30° ⩽ α and β ⩽ 150°) on the heat transfer performance and Nanoparticles distribution. In addition, an analysis on effective parameters is processed utilizing the Response Surface Methodology. The results show a 39.81% increase in the Nusselt number for Re numbers ranged from 150 to 250. Also, it is found that increasing in d and α and reduction of β and Ф increases the mean Nusselt number. Enhancement in d, α and β and also decreasing in Re number and Ф increases the homogeneity of the Nanofluid. Finally, it is shown that the sensitivity of the mean Nusselt number to the Re number, Ф and d parameters is more than the sensitivity of the Nanoparticles concentration ratio to these parameters.