An experimental study on the decaying swirl flow in a tube


AYDIN O., Avci M., MARKAL B., YAZICI M.

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS IN HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER, vol.55, pp.22-28, 2014 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 55
  • Publication Date: 2014
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2014.04.012
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS IN HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.22-28
  • Keywords: Swirl flows, Helical swirl generator, Heat transfer, Pressure drop, PRESSURE-DROP CHARACTERISTICS, HEAT-TRANSFER ENHANCEMENT, CIRCULAR PIPE, GENERATOR, AUGMENTATION, TURBULATORS, FRICTION
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, decaying turbulent swirl flow in a cylindrical tube is investigated experimentally. The swirl is generated with an innovative helical swirl flow generator. The tube surface is maintained at a constant temperature using a constant temperature water bath. Air is used as the working fluid. Experiments are conducted in a Reynolds number range between 20,000 and 56,000. Effects of the helical swirl generator length (h = 15, 20, 25 and 30 mm) and the tube length to diameter ratio (L/D = 10, 20, 30 and 40) on the heat transfer and pressure drop are determined. It is disclosed that introducing swirl results in considerable enhancements in heat transfer, e.g. 348% for a specific test case. Effects of Re, h and L/D are found to be critically interdependent. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.