Heat Transfer and Flow Behaviors of Ferrofluid in Three-Start Helically Fluted Tubes

Abstract

Turbulent convective heat transfer and Fe₃O₄/water nanofluid flow behaviors in a corrugated tube were studied numerically. The numerical study was performed using the corrugated copper tube with a 10.70 mm inside diameter with a constant heat flux boundary condition. The finite volume approach was used to discretize the Eulerian two-phase model and then solve it using the SIMPLE technique. The effect of corrugated pitch and corrugated depth on the velocity vectors and temperature contours are presented and analyzed. It was found that the geometrical parameters (corrugated pitch and corrugated depth) have a significant effect on the velocity and temperature contours. In comparison to the plain tube, the maximum and minimum turbulent intensity enhancements are 1.40 and 1.06 times, respectively, also resulting in an increase in the Nusselt number enhancement. Simultaneously, due to more flow complexity and roughness augmentation, the flow resistance also increased.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Faculty of Engineering, Srinakharinwirot University (SWU), for providing funding for this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Anumut Siricharoenpanitch

Anumut Siricharoenpanitch received the B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand, in 2005, and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Mahasarakham University,Thailand, in 2014, respectively. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand. His research interests include heat transfer, energy savings, refrigeration, and heat pipes.

Songkran Wiriyasart

Songkran Wiriyasart received the B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand, in 2006, 2008, and 2016, respectively. He is the author of one book and more than 30 articles. His research interests include numerical analysis, finite element methods, heat transfer enhancement, heat pipe science, multiphase flow, three-dimensional modeling and simulation, and electronic cooling. He has a temporary contract now with Srinakharinwirot University – Bangkok, Thailand.

Ponthep Vengsungnle

Ponthep Vengsungnle received the Bachelor (Agricultural Electrical), Master (Mechanical Engineering), and Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering) from Khonkaen University, Khonkaen, Thailand. His research interests include computational fluid dynamics, finite element methods, computer aided engineering, and precision agriculture. He has a temporary contract now with Agricultural Machinery Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan- Nakhonratchasima, Thailand.

Nittaya Naphon

Nittaya Naphon received the Bachelor (Pharmaceutical Science) and Master (Pharmaceutical Science) from Chiangmai University, Thailand. Her research interests include the natural products extraction, nanomaterials, and chemical analysis. She has a temporary contract now with the Faculty of Pharmacy, Srinakharinwirot University – Bangkok, Thailand.

Paisarn Naphon

Paisarn Naphon received the M.S. and Dr. Ing. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, Thailand, in 1998 and 2004, respectively. He was a Lecturer with the Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand. His research interests include numerical analysis, finite element methods, heat transfer enhancement, heat exchangers, electronic cooling, and nanofluids heat transfer. He has a temporary contract now with Srinakharinwirot University – Bangkok, Thailand.