Low-Reynolds-number turbulent forced-convection flow over graded baffle plates

The thermo-hydraulic behaviors of turbulent forced-convection heat transfer flow over a rectangular cross section baffled channel are numerically examined in various graded baffle plate ratio configurations ‘GBR = 0.10, 0.11, 0.12, 0.13, 0.14, and 0.15) at different Reynolds numbers, ranging from 12,000 to 32,000. The governing equations that describe the flow are integrated by the finite volumes method, in two dimensions, employing the Commercial CFD software FLUENT 6.3 with low-Reynolds-number k-E model to describe the turbulence. The velocity and pressure terms of momentum equations are solved with SIMPLE-algorithm. In particular, axial velocity, turbulence intensity, pressure, and temperature fields, average Nusselt number and friction loss are obtained. The numerical runs are carried out for different values of Reynolds numbers and graded baffle ratios at constant wall temperature condition along the top and bottom walls. Results were compared with available experimental data from the literature and good agreement is obtained.