A Numerical Investigation of Turbulent Flows through an Artificially Roughened Solar Air Heater

Abstract

A numerical investigation of turbulent flows through a solar air heater roughened with semicircular sectioned transverse rib roughness has been executed. The physical problem is represented mathematically by a set of governing equations, and the transport equations are solved using the finite element method. The numerical results show that the flow-field, average Nusselt number, and average friction factor are strongly dependent on the relative roughness height. The thermohydraulic performance parameter is found to be the maximum for the relative roughness height of 0.042. Comparisons with previously published work are performed and were found to be in excellent agreement.