Numerical Prediction of Flow and Heat Transfer Past a Circular Tube With Annular Fins

A numerical investigation was carried out to study the flow and heat transfer behavior of a vertical circular tube, which is situated between two annular fins in cross-flow. The flow structure of the limiting streamlines on the surface of the circular tube and the annular fins was analysed. A finite volume method was employed to solve the Navier-Stokes and energy equations. The numerical results pertaining to heat transfer and flow characteristics were compared with the available experimental results. The following salient features were observed in this configuration. A horseshoe vortex system was formed at the junction of the stagnation line of the circular tube and the annular fin. The separation took place at the rear of the tube. The influence of the horseshoe vortices on local heat transfer was substantial. The ratio of the axial gap between two annular fins (L) to the radial protrusion length of the annular fin (L_R) was identified as an important parameter. The flow and heat transfer results were presented for different L/L_R ratios for a Reynolds number of 1000.