Prediction of laminar flow and heat transfer in helically coiled pipes

Abstract

A calculation procedure for three-dimensional parabolic flows is applied to predict the velocity and temperature fields in helically coiled pipes. The curvature produces a secondary flow and causes departures from the symmetric velocity profile of Poiseuille flow. Predictions are presented of flow and heat transfer in the developing and fully developed regions. Comparisons of the developing and fully developed velocity profiles with experimental data exhibit good agreement. The development of the wall temperature for the case of axially uniform heat flux with an isothermal periphery has been compared with experimental data and the agreement is good. Predictions for fully developed temperature profiles and heat-transfer coefficients also exhibit good agreement with experimental data. Effects of the Dean number on the friction factor and heat transfer are presented.