Heat Transfer Enhancement in Channel Flow Using an Inclined Square Cylinder

Heat transfer enhancement in channel flow by using an inclined vortex generator has been numerically investigated. A square cylinder is located on the centerline of laminar channel flow, which is subject to a constant heat flux on the lower channel wall. As the cylinder is inclined with some angle of attack with respect to the main flow direction, flow characteristics change downstream of the cylinder, and significantly affect heat transfer on the channel wall. A parametric study has been conducted to identify the cause, and to possibly find the optimal inclination angle. It turns out that the increased periodic fluctuation of the vertical velocity component in the vicinity of the channel walls is responsible for the heat transfer enhancement. The large fluctuation is believed to be induced by the large-scale vortices shed from the inclined square cylinder, as well as by the secondary vortices formed near the channel walls.