Thermal performance of a circular tube embedded with TBVG inserts: an experimental study

The results of various geometrical and flow parameters on thermal energy transfer and performance of tube heat exchangers with solid and perforated triple-blade vortex generator insert are presented in this study. Pitch ratio = 1,2,3,4, blade angle = 45 degrees, and perforation index = 0%, 25% are the parameters used in the experiment. The experiments are carried out over a wide range of Reynolds numbers, ranging from 6000 to 24,000. A three-dimensional numerical analysis is also performed to gain a better understanding of fluid flow behavior and heat transfer mechanisms. The results show that using the triple-blade vortex generator insert improves the performance of a heat exchanger. The heat transfer escalation detected in comparison with a simple heat exchanger with a plain tube is in the range of 2.4-4.35, maximum for pitch ratio of 1 and 0% perforation index and a minimum for pitch ratio of 4 and 25% perforation index. The friction factor varies from 0.43 to 3.15, lowest for pitch ratio of 4 and a 25% perforation index and the highest for pitch ratio of 1 and 0% perforation index. The maximum thermal performance of 1.16 is achieved with a pitch ratio of 1 and a perforation index of 25%. For the prediction of Nusselt number, friction factor, and the thermal performance factor of the tubular heat exchanger with triple-blade vortex generator inserts, statistical correlations are developed using experimental data.

Automated summary

This study presents the impact of different geometrical and flow parameters on thermal energy transfer and performance of tube heat exchangers with solid and perforated triple-blade vortex generator inserts. The results show that using the triple-blade vortex generator insert improves the heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger.