Heat Transfer Performance and Flow Characteristics of a Heat Exchange Tube with Isosceles Trapezoidal Winglet Longitudinal Vortex Generators

Lin Liu (), Zhichun Ni, Haoyuan Tang, Hui Xu and Bingyun Jiang ()
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Lin Liu: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Process Equipment, School of Mechanical Engineering and Rail Transit, Changzhou University, No. 21 Ge Hu Middle Road, Changzhou 213164, China
Zhichun Ni: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Process Equipment, School of Mechanical Engineering and Rail Transit, Changzhou University, No. 21 Ge Hu Middle Road, Changzhou 213164, China
Haoyuan Tang: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Process Equipment, School of Mechanical Engineering and Rail Transit, Changzhou University, No. 21 Ge Hu Middle Road, Changzhou 213164, China
Hui Xu: Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Green Process Equipment, School of Mechanical Engineering and Rail Transit, Changzhou University, No. 21 Ge Hu Middle Road, Changzhou 213164, China
Bingyun Jiang: Wanbang Digital Energy Co., Ltd., No. 39 Long Hui Road, Changzhou 213000, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 7, 1-22

Abstract: The thermal-hydraulic performance of circular heat transfer tubes equipped with isosceles trapezoidal winglet longitudinal vortex generators (ITWL-VGs) was investigated through integrated experimental and numerical approaches. Experimental studies were conducted that focused on the effects of key parameters: (1) the ITW quantity ( n = 4, 6, 8); (2) the attack angle (α = 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°); and (3) four distinct VG arrangements. Numerical simulations employing multi-physical field analysis elucidated the underlying heat transfer enhancement mechanisms. The numerical simulations demonstrated excellent agreement with the experimental measurements. The results indicated that uniformly distributed ITWL-VGs with suitable angles of attack (α) significantly enhanced the thermal performance. Increasing the number of ITWs ( N ) generated additional longitudinal vortices, intensifying fluid mixing and heat transfer enhancement, thereby improving the PEC value. All the Nusselt number ( Nu ), friction factor ( f ) and PEC values exhibited positive correlations with the α and the spacing ( L P ), respectively. Within the scope of this study, the α should not be less than 30°. In addition, an optimal value should be used for the L P . The maximum PEC value was 1.27. These findings conclusively demonstrated the significant heat transfer enhancement capabilities of ITWL-VGs.

Keywords: isosceles trapezoidal winglet; vortex generator; heat transfer enhancement; heat exchange tube; numerical simulation; experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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