Computational analysis of heat transfer in turbulent flow past a horizontal surface with two-dimensional ribs

Heat transfer and flow behaviours past a horizontal surface with two-dimensional transverse ribs were numerically investigated using a CFD model. The present model was adopted for turbulent flow of air past a number of rib arrays with different rib pitch to height ratios heated with a uniform heat flux. The temperature profiles and the local heat transfer coefficients as well as the flow velocity and turbulence characteristics were predicted. The results showed that the presence of the transverse ribs yields a significant enhancement of the heat transfer compared with that for a flat plate and the predicted heat transfer coefficients showed good agreement with previous experimental results. Also, peaks in local heat transfer coefficients were predicted within the interrib regions and were found to coincide with the points of reattachment of the separated flows. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.