Experimental analysis on thermal and friction factor characteristics of fluid flow in tube with novel double strip helical screw tape

Abstract

An experimental analysis has been carried out to investigate the thermal and friction factor characteristics of fluid flow in a tube with double strip helical screw tape (DS-HST) inserts with different values of twist ratio and compared with single strip helical screw tape inserts and plain tube. Water is used as a working fluid at different flow rates with constant heat flux conditions. CFD analysis is also carried out to visualize thermal and fluid flow characteristics of fluid flow in tube with inserts. Experimental results have showed that Nusselt number and friction factor have attained excellent enhancement with double strip helical screw tape inserts in the range of flow rates than single strip helical screw tape inserts at the value of twist ratio 1.5. Correlation is also developed for Nusselt number with a range of Reynolds number, twist ratio and number of strips. Moreover, the performance ratio has attained maximum value at twist ratio of 2.5 with high values of flow rate. It is concluded that DS-HST is able to attain enhancement in the efficiency of heat exchanger, causing a reduction in size for thermal applications.