Experimental investigation of turbulent heat transfer in straight and curved rectangular ducts

Abstract

An experimental investigation was conducted to examine the convective heat transfer in straight and curved ducts of rectangular cross-section. The experimental configuration was modeled as infinite parallel plates with one wall at a constant temperature and the opposite wall adiabatic. The experiments were conducted at steady states for turbulent flow. Average Nusselt numbers were used to compare the heat transfer characteristics of the straight and curved sections. The development of Tayloe-Gortler vortices in the curved section was shown the enhance the heat transfer rate in the curved section as compared to the of the straight section by approximately 15 to 20 percent. Improved heat exchanger designs and improved cooling of turbine blades are two disciplines that could benefit from a better understanding of the effects of curvature on the rate of heat transfer.