Optimization of Wave Inclination Angle in Parallel Wavy‑Channel Heat Exchangers

摘要

Effects of the wave inclination angle on the performance of a parallel wavy-channel heat exchanger are investigated threedimensionally.Computations have been carried out in various Reynolds numbers in the laminar range from 100 to 600 bymeans of the finite volume approach. On the other hand, several wave inclination angles such as α = 0°, 20°, 40°, 60°, and80° with respect to the spanwise direction have been examined to find the optimum value. The applied numerical methodhas been validated against the available data of the conventional parallel flat-channel heat exchanger. Several quantitativeand qualitative results are presented in this investigation. It is demonstrated that deflection of waves of plates from zero tononzero values onsets the three-dimensional flow in the heat exchanger. In addition, maximum heat transfer enhancementof 108% is achieved for Re = 600 at the wave inclination angle of 20°. Moreover, except at Re = 100, the wave inclinationangle of 40° can be introduced as an optimum inclination angle for a wavy-channel heat exchanger from the perspective ofthermal–hydraulic performance. At the end of this study, values of pressure drop penalty and thermal–hydraulic performanceof all cases under consideration have been determined accordingly.