Heat Transfer and Flow Characteristics of a Rib With a Slit

The present investigation is an experimental study of convective heat transfer in the entrance region of a rectangular channel with a single surface mounted slit rib. The open area ratios of the slit rib set during the experiment are equal to 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%. Hotwire anemometry (HWA) and resistance thermometry (RTD) have been used for velocity and temperature measurement respectively. Both mean and turbulent statistics of the velocity and temperature fluctuations have been reported. Smoke visualization has also been carried out to obtain a qualitative picture of the flow field behind the rib. The surface Nusselt number has been determined from liquid crystal thermography (LCT). The Reynolds number based on the hydraulic diameter of the channel has been set at Re = 32,100. The nature of the flow through the slit and its interaction with the shear layer from the top of the rib depend on the size of the slit. For the slit rib with higher open area ratio (β = 40 and 50%), the bottom part of the slit rib behaves like an independent small rib with its own reattachment region. At smaller open area ratio (β = 10, 20 and 30%), the flow through the slit manipulates the reattaching shear layer from the top of the rib. The size of the slit and its location from the bottom channel surface are the primary parameters responsible for the modification and manipulation of the flow behavior of a slit rib in comparison to the solid rib.