A Numerical Study of Entropy Generation in the Entrance Region of Curved Pipes

摘要

In this study, developing incompressible viscous flow and heat transfer in curved pipes are studied numerically considering a constant heat flux at the wall to analyze the entropy generation. The governing equations including continuity, momentum and energy equations are solved using a second order finite difference method based on the projection algorithm. Entropy generation and thermodynamic optimization are investigated through the entrance region of the curved pipes with circular cross section by a general non-dimensional analysis both numerically and analytically. Optimal Reynolds number calculation based on the entropy generation minimization are carried out for two cases considering the two groups of non-dimensional parameters. The comparison of the numerical results in the entrance region with the analytical ones in the fully developed region indicates that both solutions predict nearly the same optimal Reynolds numbers.