Numerical study of natural circulation in a horizontal duct with different end-temperatures

The paper reports a finite difference solution for the natural counterflow generated in a horizontal adiabatic duct with different end-temperatures. Ducts with circular and rectangular cross-section are considered. The natural counterflow is modeled as fully-developed. The numerical results demonstrate that the flow consists of a strong axial counterflow superimposed on four secondary eddies situated in the four quadrants of the cross-section. The paper documents the temperature variation around the wall of a pipe, in a moderate Rayleigh number range not documented previously. The use of the wall temperature information in thermal stress analysis is discussed. The numerical results are also used to assess the applicability of analytical predictions for the flow field in ducts with rectangular cross-section. © 1980 Springer-Verlag.

Duke Scholars

Author Adrian Bejan Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...