Numerical Study of Developing Flow and Heat Transfer in Wavy Passages

Developing flow and heat transfer in a wavy passage are analyzed using an accurate numerical scheme that solves the unsteady flow and energy equations. Calculations are presented for two different wavy channels, each consisting of 14 waves. Time-dependent simulations have been performed for several systematically varied Reynolds numbers. It is observed that the flow is steady in part of the channel and unsteady in the rest of the channel. As the Reynolds number is progressively increased, the unsteadiness is onset at a much earlier location, leading to increased heat transfer rates. Varying the channel spacing alters the heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics, as well as the transition Reynolds numbers.Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Project 6