Al-Khawarizmi Engineering Journal (May 2012)
An Experimental Study on the Effect of Shape and Location of Vortex Generators Ahead of a Heat Exchanger
Abstract
An experimental study is carried out on the effect of vortex generators (Circular and square) on the flow and heat transfer at variable locations at (X = 0.5, 1.5, 2.5 cm) ahead of a heat exchanger with Reynolds number ranging from 62000< Re < 125000 and heat flux from 3000 ≤ q ≤ 8000 W/m2 . In the experimental investigation, an apparatus is set up to measure the velocity and temperatures around the heat exchanger. The results show that there is an effect for using vortex generators on heat transfer. Also, heat transfer depends on the shape and location. The circular is found to be the best shape for enhancing heat transfer at location [Xm=0.5 cm] distance before heat exchanger is the best location for enhancing heat transfer. The square is the best shape for enhancing heat transfer at location [Xm=2.5 cm] distance before heat exchanger is the best location for enhancing heat transfer. The results of flow over heat exchanger with vortex generators are compared with the flow over heat exchanger without vortex generators. Heat transfer around heat exchanger is enhanced (56%, 50%, 36%) at location (X=0.5, 1.5, 2.5cm) respectively by using circular vortex generators without turbulator and heat transfer around heat exchanger is enhanced (39%, 42%, 51%) at location (X=0.5, 1.5, 2.5cm) respectively by using square shape vortex generators without turbulator.
