Numerical simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer in a curved square duct by using the Lattice Boltzmann method

The study of viscous flow in curved ducts is of fundamental interest in fluid mechanics due to the numerous applications such as flows through turbomachinery blade passages, aircraft intakes, diffusers, heat exchangers, and so on [1–6]. The major effect of curved ducts on the fluid flow involves the strong secondary flow due to the longitudinal curvature in the geometry [7–9]. The presence of longitudinal curvature generates centrifugal force (which is perpendicular to the main flow along the axis) and produces so-called secondary flow on the cross sections of ducts