Numerical investigation of pulsating flow around a discrete heater in a channel

Abstract

In this study, the forced convection heat transfer around a discrete heater located in a channel subjected to laminar pulsating air flow is numerically investigated. Simulations are conducted for six different frequencies and three different amplitudes, while the Reynolds number (Re = 125) and Prandtl number (Pr = 0.71) remain constant for all cases. The impact of the important governing parameters such as the Womersley number (Wo) and the amplitude of flow pulsation (A(o)) on heat transfer rate from discrete heaters is examined in detail. The instant velocity and temperature profiles are obtained to determine of the role of dimensionless parameters for pulsating flow. The numerical results show that thermal transport from the heater is greatly affected by the frequency and amplitude of the flow pulsation. The results given are dimensionless parameters. (C) 2010 lsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.