Heat transfer enhancement in a square channel with a set of triangular prisms: an experimental study

Abstract

In this study, heat transfer behavior in a channel adapted with a set of equilateral triangular prisms was investigated experimentally in a turbulent flow regime, with a range of Reynolds numbers corresponding to 1x104<Re<8x104. The cross-section of the channel is square, and the triangular prisms were installed in the middle of the channel. In the test section of the channel, only the bottom wall was heated with constant heat flux. The square channel geometry and the triangular obstacle dimensions were assumed as fixed. Multiple equilateral triangular prisms were used with three different tandem arrangements and four different attack angles in the cross-flow of air. The heated wall temperatures, and channel inlet and outlet temperatures were measured using thermocouples on the test section. The triangular prisms changes flow structure in the flow field by cross-flow interaction, and increases the heat transfer from the heated surface. It was observed that compared to the smooth channel, the heat transfer was enhanced by about 22% for a single triangular prism. The obtained results are given as dimensionless parameters and discussed in this study. Results are compared with the existing literature and show strong similarities. Overall, in our study, triangular prisms showed a more noticeable increase in heat transfer for channel flows.