Heat transfer and associated energy dissipation for oscillatory flow in baffled tubes

• Published in: Chemical engineering science Vol. 50; no. 14; pp. 2211 - 2224
• Main Authors: Mackley, M.R., Stonestreet, P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.07.1995; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Heat and mass transfer. Packings, plates; Oscillating flow; Correlation; Nusselt number; Energy dissipation; Pressure drop; Heat exchanger; Theoretical study; Hydrodynamics; Baffled tubes; Experimental study; Heat transfer; Shell and tube exchanger
• ISSN: 0009-2509; 1873-4405
• DOI: 10.1016/0009-2509(95)00088-M

We report experimental data on the heat transfer performance of a periodically baffled tube subject to both steady (net) flow and oscillatory flow. The data show that, in particular, at a low net flow Reynolds number, significant heat transfer enhancement can be achieved with the superposition of fluid oscillations. A general correlation is derived for the measured Nusselt number as a function of both net flow and oscillatory Reynolds number. Dynamic pressure drop data for oscillatory flow are also reported, and estimates of energy efficiency for obtaining heat transfer enhancement made from these measurements are compared with smooth wall turbulent flow equations. For large amplitudes of oscillation (equivalent to half the tube diameter) the overall power dissipation follows the quasi-steady theory. At smaller amplitudes of oscillation the power dissipation was larger than predicted by the quasi-steady theory, indicating an increased eddy interaction.