Abstract
Induced turbulence created by a row of finite height cylinders is applicable in different engineering applications, e.g., for promoting convective cooling of solar panel. In this study, flow past a row of 13 side-by-side finite-height circular cylinders having a height-diameter (h/d) ratio of 2 (20mm/10mm) and center to center distance between adjacent cylinders (g) of 2d was scrutinized at a Reynolds number based on cylinder height of 4700 inside a wind tunnel over a flat plate. The flow at 5h and 10h downstream of the cylinder array was characterized using a 2-d hot wire anemometer. To understand the convective heat transfer from the hot plate, Nusselt number normalized by the reference no-cylinder case, Nu/Nu0, was deduced based on the temperature difference between the lower and upper surfaces of the hot plate. Significant heat transfer enhancement occurred which was explained in terms of flow properties. A regression analysis was performed, and it was revealed that the most influential parameters for enhancing heat transfer were the stream-wise turbulent intensity followed by the stream-wise velocity.
Primary Advisor
Dr. David S-K Ting
Co-Advisor
Dr. Graham Reader
Program Reader
Dr. Nickolas Eaves
Degree Name
Master of Applied Science
Department
Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering
Document Type
Major Research Paper
Convocation Year
2021