Effects of wetted wall on laminar natural convection in vertical annular ducts

Abstract

A detailed numerical analysis is performed to investigate the effects of latent heat exchange, in connection with evaporation of the liquid film on the wall, on the natural convection heat transfer in vertical concentric annuli. Major governing parameters identified are Gr_T, Gr_M, Pr, Sc, and N. Results are specifically presented for an air‐water system under various heating conditions to illustrate the latent heat transport during the evaporation process. The effects of the channel length, ratio of radii N and wetted wall temperature on the momentum, heat and mass transfer are examined in detail. Tremendous enhancement in heat transfer due to the exchange of latent heat was clearly demonstrated.

Key words:

• natural convection
• heat and mass transfer
• latent heat transport

Notes

Correspondence addressee