Forced Convection Heat Transfer in U-Bend, Tutorial. CFD Approach

Forced Convection Heat Transfer in an U-Bend Using ANSYS Fluent: CFD Simulation

Statement

This work uses ANSYS Fluent to replicate forced convection heat transfer in an U-Bend pipe with applied heat flux on its outer sides.  With water as the working fluid, the main emphasis is on knowing heat transfer dynamics in a laminar flow regime.

• Geometry: Made in ANSys Design Modeler, the 3D model shows a 13 mm diameter pipe.  Plates with 70 mm diameter holes are set in the bend at an axial spacing of 20 mm and a transverse distance of 16 mm.
• Mesh: ANSYS Meshing generates 2,595,714 unstructured mesh using  To further simulation fidelity, the mesh is then changed in ANSYS Fluent to a polyhedral mesh.

Methodology

• Flow Conditions: With water entering the domain at 0.0158 m/s, laminar flow regime results.  The viscous model is laminar.
• Heat Transfer Setup: The exterior wall of the pipe is subjected to an external heat flow of 32,087 W/m².  The energy equation is set up to record temperature fluctuations brought on by forced convection.

Results and Analysis

Different contours and coefficients are obtained when finishing the simulation, which helps one understand the fluid and thermal behaviour inside the U-Bend:

• Temperature, Velocity, and Pressure Contours: These forms show efficient fluid dynamics and heat transport inside the U-Bend.
• Heat Transfer Coefficients: Computed to be 220.9961, the local heat transfer coefficient has an average Nusselt number of 25.78288.
• Pressure Drop and Friction Factor: Determined are a friction factor of 0.35 and a pressure drop of 2.15, so suggesting flow resistance properties.

The applicability of forced convection ideas in heat transfer inside complicated geometries is convincingly shown by the simulation.  Design and optimization of thermal systems including fluid flow through bends and convoluted paths depends on this knowledge.  Please reach out for further information or project help!