An Experimental Study on the Relationship Between Velocity Fluctuations and Heat Transfer in a Turbulent Air Flow

Abstract

The work presented here is the first reported study to test the general correlation for turbulent heat transfer proposed by Maciejewski and Anderson (1996). A turbulent pipe flow apparatus was built for heat transfer and fluid studies. Tests were performed for a range of Reynolds numbers from 27,000 to 90,000. The heated wall temperature, adiabatic temperature, the wall heat flux, and the maximum velocity fluctuations were measured at each Reynolds number. The nondimensional groups recommended by Maciejewski and Anderson were formed and compared to the correlation. The results verify the correlation with agreement to within ±7 percent (as per Fig. 11). This study has important implications for the study of heat transfer in a wide range of fields, including the gas turbine industry. The development of a geometry independent correlation will lead to faster turn-around times and improved engine design.