Abstract:
A simulation analysis has been conducted to investigate heat transfer enhancement
using rectangular-cut twisted tape inserts in a U-shaped pipe. Numerical simulations
have also been carried out for a plain tube and a tube with smooth twisted tape (TT)
inserts, and the results have been compared across three configurations: rectangular-cut
TT inserts, smooth TT inserts, and the plain tube. The analysis has utilized a U-bend
pipe with a length of 1935.6 mm and an inner diameter of 26.6 mm. For non-isothermal
turbulent flow, water has been selected as the working fluid, and the Reynolds number
(Re) range has been considered from 5319.4 to 17288.05. The rectangular-cut twisted
tape inserts have demonstrated superior heat transfer performance compared to the other
two configurations due to enhanced fluid mixing in the turbulent flow regime. In this
study, the dimensionless Nusselt number (Nu) has consistently been higher for the
rectangular-cut twisted tape configuration and has shown a gradual increase with rising
Reynolds numbers. The results have also indicated improved thermal performance (ɳ),
with a thermal performance factor of 1.04 and favorable friction factor values for the
pipe fitted with rectangular cut twisted tape inserts.
