Heat Transfer Enhancement Inside a Duct Using Turbulators, Vortex Generators, and Baffles

Abstract

This research investigates sophisticated methods for augmenting heat transmission in duct systems, emphasizing the utilization of passive devices such vortex generators, turbulators, and baffles. These devices enhance turbulence, facilitate fluid mixing, and optimize heat transfer efficiency while minimizing pressure drop penalties through the manipulation of fluid flow dynamics. A thorough computational and experimental study was performed to assess the thermal and hydraulic efficiency of several designs, such as ribbed turbulators, twisted tape inserts, and delta-wing vortex generators. The findings indicate that optimum combinations of these devices markedly improve thermal performance, rendering them appropriate for use in small heat exchangers, automobile radiators, and industrial cooling systems. The results offer significant insights for the design of high-efficiency heat transfer systems that reconcile thermal improvement with pressure drop factors.