Mixed Convective Nanofluids Flow in a Channel having Forward-Facing Step with Baffle

Abstract

Two-dimensional laminar and turbulent mixed convection flows using nanofluids over forward facing step in a heated rectangular duct having a baffle mounted on its wall are numerically simulated. The continuity, momentum and energy equations are solved using finite volume method (FVM) and the SIMPLE algorithm scheme is applied to examine the effects of the baffle on flow and heat transfer characteristics. The bottom wall of the duct is being heated with a constant heat flux, while other walls are being thermally insulated. In this study, several parameters such as different types of nanoparticles (Al2O3, CuO, SiO2 and ZnO), different volume fractions in the range of 1% to 4%, different nanoparticles diameter in the range of 25 to 80 nm were used. The Reynolds number of laminar flow was in the range of 100 ? Re ? 500, while for turbulent flow it was in the range of 7500 ? Re ? 15000. Effects of baffle distances in the range of ? ? D ? 4, baffle widths in the range of 0.01 ? wb ? 0.04, baffle heights in the range of 0.005 ? hb ? 0.015 were studied. Baffle locations at the top wall and at bottom wall of the duct, and the number of baffles are from 1 to 3 were also examined. The numerical results indicate that the nanofluid with SiO2 has the highest Nusselt number compared with other nanofluids types. The Nusselt number increases as the volume fraction of nanoparticles and the Reynolds number increase, while it decreases as the nanoparticles diameter increases. Effects of baffle distances baffle heights, and baffle locations on fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are significant, while effects of baffle widths and baffle numbers are slightly insignificant.