Numerical Analysis of Fully Developed Flow in Curved Square Ducts With Internal Fins

Abstract

The laminar incompressible flow in a curved square duct with two or four internal longitudinal fins is studied numerically with the SIMPLE method. The results show an increase of the friction factor depending on the fin height and the Dean number. The visualization of the flow reveals the existence of complex flow patterns in the transverse plane of the channel, where up to ten vortices are found to form. The effect of the curvature on the friction factor is examined and a functional relation for the latter is developed in terms of the Dean number and the fin height.