Experimental investigation of the effect of curature on heat transfer in a curved rectangular channel of high aspect ratio.

Abstract

An experimental investigation was conducted to study convective heat transfer in straight and curved rectangular channels of high aspect ratio that approximate plates of infinite extent. Experiments were performed at steady state in the turbulent flow regime with one wall held at a constant heat fiux and the opposite wall essentially adiabatic. The effect of curvature induced secondary flow on heat transfer on the concave and convex walls was observed by comparing Nusselt numbers for four different configurations at several different Reynolds numbers. Significant heat transfer enhancement was observed on the concave wall. Correlations for Nusselt number as a function of Reynolds number were calculated for the cases studied.