Effect Triangular Baffles on Thermal- Hydraulic Optimization and Turbulent Flow CuO/ Water Nanofluid in 2D Channel Using Computational Fluid Dynamics Method

Abstract

In large-scale applications, fluid flow with baffles is a multifaceted phenomenon because it plays an important role in improving heat transfer and mixing in addition to other fluid dynamics processes. To achieve the required heat transfer, the design of triangular baffle models inside the channel is of great importance. In the present work, the effect of the inclusion of baffles in the upper and lower surface of a two-dimensional channel of a nanofluid flow (CuO+Water) with volumetric fractions (5%) steady-state single-phase turbulence with Reynolds number ranges of (7000-17000) is numerically studied. The channel is divided into three main sections, the first and the last are thermally insulated, and the second is subjected to a constant uniform heat flux of (30 kW/m²). Using the finite volume method of the Ansys Fluent program, all the equations governing the fluid flow inside the channel, including the conservation of mass, momentum, and heat energy, were solved using the turbulent k-ε for high Reynolds values. The numerical results of the current study indicated that the heat transfer rate gradually increases with an increase in the Reynolds number, while the friction factor gradually decreases with an increase in the Reynolds number, moreover, the values of the Nusselt number and the friction factor were affected by the height of the baffles, where the increase in height both increases gradually, it was also found that the height of (12 mm) gave the highest percentage of heat transfer enhancement with a value of (82.69%) compared to the other heights (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mm), which gave a ratio of (60.46, 70.01 and 80.65%), respectively. Finally, the pressure, temperature and velocity distribution of the nanofluid differed when the baffles were placed to disturb the passing flow compared to the normal empty channel.