Numeric and experimental analysis of the turbulent flow through a channel with baffle plates

Abstract

The present work presents the numeric and experimental analysis of the turbulent flow of air inside a channel of rectangular section, containing two rectangular baffle plates. This is an important problem in the scope of heat exchangers where the characterization of the flow, pressure distribution, as well as the existence and the extension of possible recirculations need to be identified. The differential equations that describe the flow were integrated by the Finite Volumes Method, in two dimensions, employing the Fluent software with the k-e model to describe the turbulence. The mesh is structured, with rectangular volumes. Several boundary conditions were explored, being the more realistic results obtained by prescribing the inlet velocity field and atmospheric pressure at the exit. The obtained results are compared with experimental data, being analyzed and commented the deviations. The velocity field was measured with a hot wire anemometer, and the pressure field with an electronic manometer. The largest variations in the pressure and velocity fields occur in the regions near to the deflectors, as expected

Aerodynamics and Heat Transfer over Solid-Deflectors in Transverse, Staggered, Corrugated-Upstream and Corrugated-Downstream Patterns

“…During the experimental study author found that the V-type perforated blockage provides better thermal hydraulic performance as compared with other type blockage air passage. Demartini et al [9] investigated air flow through a rectangular channel with two plate baffles. Hot wire anemometry and the Finite Volume Method, by means of Commercial program Fluent 5.2 were applied, and a comprehensive analysis of the velocity profiles and pressure gradients was carried out in that work.…”

Numerical Analysis of Thermal and Aerodynamic Fields in a Channel with Cascaded Baffles

“…Fig. 3 shows the comparison between the present numerical simulations and the numerical and experimental data of Demartini et al [3] on the axial profiles of the velocity. The geometry of their problem is a simplification of the…”

“…The physical geometry considered in this study is a two-dimensional rectangular cross section channel with heated upper and lower wall-mounted solid-type baffles in a periodically staggered manner as presented in more detail in Demartini et al [3]. Detail of the test channel with the segmented baffles and thermo-aeraulic boundary conditions is presented in Fig.…”

“…The aerodynamic boundary conditions are set according to the numerical and experimental analysis of Demartini et al [3] while the thermal boundary conditions are chosen according to the numerical investigation of Nasiruddin and Kamran Siddiqui [6]. A uniform one-dimensional profile of fluid velocity (u = U in , v = 0) at 27°C (Tin = 300 K) is introduced as the aeraulic boundary condition at the start of the whole domain investigated while an atmospheric pressure (P = Patm) outlet condition is applied at the channel outlet, as shown in Fig.…”

“…The impact of the Reynolds number, Prandtl number, baffle height and thermal conductivity ratio were examined. A numerical and experimental study was carried out by Demartini et al [3] on air flow inside a channel with a rectangular cross section with two baffle plates mounted on the upper and lower walls. This study included also a comprehensive investigation of the velocity and pressure profiles.…”