Numerical Prediction of 45° Angled Ribs Effects on U-shaped Channels Heat Transfer and Flow under Multi Conditions

Ribs effects on the heat transfer performance and cooling air flow characteristics in various aspect ratios (AR) U-shaped channels under different working conditions are numerically investigated. The ribs angle and channel orientation are 45 degrees and 90 degrees, respectively, and the aspect ratios are 1:2, 1:1, 2:1. The inlet Reynolds number changes from 1e4 to 4e4 and rotational speeds include 0, 550 rpm, 1,100 rpm. Local heat transfer coefficient, endwall surface heat transfer coefficient ratio and augmentation factor are the three primary criteria to measure channel heat transfer. Ribs increase the heat transfer area and improve heat transfer coefficient of ribbed surfaces significantly, especially in the 1st pass, while the endwall surface contributes more to channel heat transfer because of the larger area and relatively smaller heat transfer coefficient. The wide channel (AR = 2:1) owns the better augmentation factor than the narrow channel (AR =1:2) and ribs heat transfer weight increases with an increase of the inlet Reynolds number. Rotating slightly reduces the ribs heat transfer weight in channel and the trailing surface in 1st pass is the main influence object of rotating.