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

Effects of the wave inclination angle on the performance of a parallel wavy-channel heat exchanger are investigated three-dimensionally. Computations have been carried out in various Reynolds numbers in the laminar range from 100 to 600 by means of the finite volume approach. On the other hand, several wave inclination angles such as α = 0°, 20°, 40°, 60°, and 80° with respect to the spanwise direction have been examined to find the optimum value. The applied numerical method has been validated against the available data of the conventional parallel flat-channel heat exchanger. Several quantitative and qualitative results are presented in this investigation. It is demonstrated that deflection of waves of plates from zero to nonzero values onsets the three-dimensional flow in the heat exchanger. In addition, maximum heat transfer enhancement of 108% is achieved for Re = 600 at the wave inclination angle of 20°. Moreover, except at Re = 100, the wave inclination angle of 40° can be introduced as an optimum inclination angle for a wavy-channel heat exchanger from the perspective of thermal–hydraulic performance. At the end of this study, values of pressure drop penalty and thermal–hydraulic performance of all cases under consideration have been determined accordingly.