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An experimental and numerical investigation of fluid flow in a cross-corrugated channel

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Abstract

The hydraulic performance of fluid in a cross-corrugated channel has been investigated, numerically and experimentally, by a three-dimensional model with an exact geometry of the heat exchanger. The distributions of the fluid and local flow characteristics have been discussed, especially for the flow around the contact points in the developing and periodic fully developed sections. The velocity and pressure variations in different cross sections have also been presented. Experiments have been carried out to validate the numerical predictions. The friction factors between the numerical computation and the experimental data are in a reasonable agreement in the range of Reynolds number being equal to 660–2,000.

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Abbreviations

A c :

Cross-section area of the cross-corrugated channel, m2

b c :

Mean spacing between two plates, m

C 2, C 1ε, C µ :

Model constants in Eqs. 2 and 3

D :

Inner diameter of the ports, m

d c :

Hydraulic diameter of the channel, m

f :

Friction factor

G :

Flow rate, m3/s

G k :

Generation of turbulence kinetic energy due to the mean velocity gradients

G b :

Generation of turbulence kinetic energy due to the buoyancy

k :

Turbulence kinetic energy, m2/s2

L :

Plate length, m

Re :

Reynolds number of the channel

u c :

Velocity in the channel, m/s

u j :

Velocity component in the (x, y, z) direction, m/s

u p :

Velocity in the ports, m/s

w :

Plate width, m

x j :

Cartesian coordinates (x, y, z)

ρ :

Fluid density, kg/m3

ε :

Turbulence dissipation rate, m2/s3

M :

Viscosity of working fluid, Pa s

µ t :

Turbulent viscosity, Pa s

ΔP :

Total pressure drop of the heat exchanger, Pa

ΔP port :

Pressure drop at the inlet and outlet ports, Pa

ΔP channel :

Pressure drop of the cross-corrugated channel, Pa

ΔP ec :

Pressure drop due to sudden expansion and contraction, Pa

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Acknowledgments

Financial support for this work is provided by the I-Shou University under the contract ISU99-02-24. The authors would like to thank the anonymous referees for their helpful and constructive comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, I-Shou University, No. 1, Sec. 1, Syuecheng Rd., Dashu Township, Kaohsiung, 84001, Taiwan

    Fung-Bao Liu & Ying-Chi Tsai

Authors
  1. Fung-Bao Liu
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  2. Ying-Chi Tsai
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Correspondence to Fung-Bao Liu.

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Liu, FB., Tsai, YC. An experimental and numerical investigation of fluid flow in a cross-corrugated channel. Heat Mass Transfer 46, 585–593 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-010-0605-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-010-0605-7

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