NUMERICAL STUDY OF INTERACTIONS OF VORTICES GENERATED BY VORTEX GENERATORS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON HEAT TRANSFER ENHANCEMENT

Abstract

Abstract Vortex generators (VGs) can generate developing boundary layers, swirl, and flow destabilization, and can be used to enhance heat transfer. In compact heat exchangers with VG enhancement, there are tubes and VGs, all of them will generate vortices, and these vortices interact. In this article, a numerical study of interactions of vortices generated by VGs and the effects of such interactions on heat transfer enhancement of flat tube bank fins are carried out. The results show that for some cases, interactions of vortices generated by VGs located upstream and downstream will take place, and the heat transfer enhancement on the fin surface is weakened.