Large-Eddy Simulations of Staggered Parallel-Plate Fin Heat Exchangers: Effect of Reynolds Number on Flow Topology

Abstract

A large-eddy simulation (LES) with dynamic subgrid-scale modeling is conducted to investigate flow over staggered parallel-plate fins and to depict turbulence effect on heat and mass transfer efficiency. Navier-Stokes equations for a low-Mach-number, weakly compressible formulation are solved using a second-order-accurate scheme in space and time. Calculations are carried out for Reynolds numbers Re ranging from 500 to 10,000. The results facilitate estimation of the flow topology and its evolution with regard to Re. Identification of coherent structures may bring about clear depiction of a particularly close relationship between heat transfer and turbulent flow field development. In addition, global heat and mass transfer correlations are estimated numerically and are found to be in reasonable agreement with previous experimental correlations.

The authors gratefully acknowledge support from Liebherr Aerospace Industry in Toulouse and also wish to thank D. Lucazeau for his stalwart and unconditional assistance. We would also thank Prof. W. C. Minkowycz of Chicago University for his suggestions, as well as the referees for their many interesting remarks.