Exploring the Impact of Geometric Parameters on Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow Characteristics in Cross-Triangular Grooved Channels: A Computational Study

Abstract

In this study, the impact of geometric parameters of rectangular baffles with varying location angles and heights is investigated on the heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of cross-triangular grooved channels. Computational methods are employed to explore these effects, utilizing the Ansys-Fluent program to solve the Navier-Stokes and energy equations, incorporating the k-ε turbulence model for numerical simulations. The inlet temperature of the air, serving as the working fluid, is set at 293 K, while the wall surface temperature of the lower triangular grooved channel remains fixed at 373 K. Rectangular baffles are tested with angles of 30°, 60°, and 90°, and heights of 0.25H, 0.5H, and 0.75H, respectively. The numerical results show good agreement with a 3.53% deviation compared to existing empirical data in the literature. The obtained findings are presented in terms of mean Nusselt (Num) number, fluid temperature, and Performance Evaluation Criterion (PEC) number variations taking into consideration of pressure drop for each rectangular baffle angle and height. Additionally, contour distributions of temperature and velocity are evaluated for different Reynolds numbers (Re) and arrangements of rectangular baffles. It has been determined that the Nu number value increases by 197.56% at a 90° angle and 0.75H height, compared to the 0.25H baffle height at Re=6000. Furthermore, at Re=1000, the PEC number is 84.50% higher with a baffle height of 0.25H and a baffle angle of 30° compared to the condition with a 90° angle.