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| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R04256/01 |
| Title: |
Large Eddy Simulation of the Turbulent Flow & Heat Transfer In Tube Bundles |
| Principal Investigator: |
Dr G Papadakis |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-investigator: |
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| Project Partner: |
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| Department: |
Mechanical Engineering |
| Organisation: |
King's College London |
| Scheme: |
Fast Stream |
| Starts: |
01 July 2001 |
Ends: |
30 June 2004 |
Value (£): |
61,649
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Aerospace, Defence and Marine |
Energy |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary |
Tube bundles are widely employed in cross-flow heat exchanges, the design of which is still based on empirical correlations of heat transfer and pressure drop which are of doubtful accuracy. The numerical study of the flow around tube bundles has challenged Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes Equations (RANS) modelling for years. In the last few years, the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) method has provided very good results for simpler flows. An LES code will be developed based on the finite volume method capable of handling complex geometries. The code will be used to simulate the flow and heat transfer characteristics in tube bundles. The numerical results will be compared against available experimental results (mean and rms velocities, heat transfer, pressure drop and vortex shedding frequency). By the end of the project, sound scientific information will have been obtained regarding the accuracy and cost effectiveness of the LES approach in flows inside tub bundles.
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| Final Report Summary |
Project summary at time of proposal
Tube bundles are widely employed in cross-flow heat exchanges, the design of which is still based on empirical correlations of heat transfer and pressure drop which are of doubtful accuracy. The numerical study of the flow around tube bundles has challenged Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes Equations (RANS) modelling for years. In the last few years, the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) method has provided very good results for simpler flows. An LES code will be developed based on the finite volume method capable of handling complex geometries. The code will be used to simulate the flow and heat transfer characteristics in tube bundles. The numerical results will be compared against available experimental results (mean and rms velocities, heat transfer, pressure drop and vortex shedding frequency). By the end of the project, sound scientific information will have been obtained regarding the accuracy and cost effectiveness of the LES approach in flows inside tub bundles.
Summary of project outcomes (for non-specialist audiences)
Heat transfer to or from a bank (or bundle) of tubes is relevant to numerous industrial applications and apart from the high capital expenditure, heat transfer equipment accounts for a large proportion of industrial energy use. So far the design of tube bundles is still based on empirical correlations of heat transfer and pressure drop which have limitations and are of doubtful accuracy. Consequently, reliable numerical methods for the characterisation of existing (or the development of new) designs are urgently needed. The research work revealed that the Large Eddy Simulation technique can be used successfully for the simulation of flow around tube bundles.
This technique is especially suited for this particular category of flows since momentum and heat transfer are governed by large-scale motions that can be captured accurately by LES. Detailed simulations were performed for the first time for many tube rows and interesting physical phenomena such as the bistable nature of the flow for the inline arrangement as well as the dual frequency behind the first rows for the staggered arrangement were successfully reproduced. Detailed information on the instantaneous lift and drag coefficients for all tubes was also obtained that can lead to safer designs of heat exchangers that account for flow-induced vibrations.
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.kcl.ac.uk |
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