Numerical Study of Condensation Heat Transfer in Curved Square and Triangle Microchannels

Abstract

A numerical study of condensation heat transfer in curved square and triangle microchannels with various curvatures is conducted. The model is based on the volume of fluid approach and user-defined routines. The predictive accuracy of the numerical results is assessed by comparing the heat transfer coefficient with available correlation. After the validation, the effects of the mass flux and heat flux on heat transfer coefficient are analyzed in detail. Increasing mass flux could strengthen heat transfer performance, while wall heat flux has little effect on condensation heat transfer coefficient. The curved microchannels show an advantage in heat transfer enhancement comparing with the straight ones, and the enhancement performs better in curved microchannels with larger curvatures. Besides, the heat transfer performance could be enhanced in triangle microchannels in comparison with square microchannels.

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province and the Scientific Research Foundation of Graduate School of Southeast University.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 51606037], the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province [grant number BK2016068] and the Scientific Research Foundation of Graduate School of Southeast University [grant number YBJJ1804].

Notes on contributors

Yuchuan Lei

Yuchuan Lei is a Ph.D. student in the School of Energy and Environment at Southeast University, China, under the supervision of Professor Zhenqian Chen. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in the School of Energy and Mechanical Engineering from Nangjing Normal University, China, in 2014. Her current doctoral research focuses on condensation heat transfer in microchannels under the conditions of normal gravity and microgravity.

Zhenqian Chen

Zhenqian Chen is a Professor in the School of Energy and Environment at Southeast University, China. He received his M.S. degree from Tianjin University in 1992 and his Ph.D. degree from Southeast University in 1995. From 1998 to 2003, he engaged in postdoctoral research at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. From 2000 to 2003, he engaged in postdoctoral research at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the University of Washington, and the University of Toronto. His research interests include phase-change energy storage, renewable energy, and heat and mass transfer.