A novel curved-corrugated channel model: Thermal-hydraulic performance and design parameters with nanofluid

In this study, flow structure and heat transfer characteristics of the novel channel, namely: the curved-corrugated channel, are numerically studied using ZnO-water nanofluid and the presence of E-shaped baffles. The influences of corrugations, baffles, and geometric parameters; gap ratio (GR = 0.2,0.3,0.4, and 0.5), blockage ratio (BR = 0.2,0.25,0.3, and 0.35), and pitch angle (beta = 10 degrees, 12.5 degrees, and 15 degrees) at different Reynolds number (8000-32,000) and volume fraction of ZnO particles (0-4%) are evaluated using thermal-hydraulic performance method. The results reveal that the formation of vortex flow and increased turbulence due to effects of corrugations and baffles can improve the heat transfer enhancement. Tested channel with baffle is superior to the other without baffle in thermal-hydraulic performance factor (THPF), and at lowest pitch angle 10 degrees provides the best THPF. Reducing the gap ratio and increasing the blockage ratio, i.e. 0.2 and 0.35, yields the best THPF at 2.57. New correlations for Nusselt number and friction factor for baffled curved-corrugated channel with using nanofluid are also reported.