Heat Transfer Enhancement in Narrow Diverging Channels

Detailed heat transfer coefficient distributions have been obtained for narrow diverging channels with and without enhancement features. The cooling configurations considered include rib turbulators and concavities (or dimples) on the main heat transfer surfaces. All of the measurements are presented at a representative Reynolds number of 28,000. Pressure drop measurements for the overall channel are also presented to evaluate the heat transfer enhancement geometry with respect to the pumping power requirements. The test models were studied for wall heat transfer coefficient measurements using the transient liquid crystal technique. The model wall inner surfaces were sprayed with thermochromic liquid crystals and a transient test was used to obtain the local heat transfer coefficients from the measured color change. An analysis of the results shows that the choice of designs is limited by the available pressure drop, even if the design provides significantly higher heat transfer coefficients. Dimpled surfaces provide appreciably high heat transfer coefficients and a reasonable pressure drop, whereas ribbed ducts provide significantly higher heat transfer coefficients and a higher overall pressure drop.