Computation of conjugate three-dimensional natural convection heat transfer from a transversely finned horizontal cylinder

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Numerical Heat Transfer; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/10407788908944703· OSTI ID:5653195

Tolpadi, A K; Kuehn, T H ^[1]

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1. Minnesota Univ., Minneapolis, MN (USA). Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

A vectorized finite-difference code has been developed for the Cray-2 supercomputer which has the capability of simulating a wide class of three-dimensional coupled conduction-convection flows. This program numerically solves the transient form of the Navier-Stokes equations of motion for laminar flow using the vorticity-vector potential method. One problem that has been considered is three-dimensional natural convection from a heated horizontal cylinder with an attached circular conducting fin array. Numerical solutions have been obtained for a Rayleigh number of 10/sup 6/ and a Prandtl number of 5. A parametric study has been performed by varying the fin length, fin spacing, fin thickness, and the fin conductivity parameter. Plots showing the local surface heat flux distribution, temperature distributions, and flow fields were developed using color graphics packages available on the Cray-2 that revealed the existence of very complex fin-cylinder interactions. The local heat flux in the upper section of the fins is predicted to reverse direction under certain operating conditions. The integrated results indicated that for a particular fin material and thickness, an optimum fin spacing and length exist for with the total heat transfer per unit cylinder length is a maximum.

• OSTI ID: 5653195
• Journal Information: Numerical Heat Transfer; (USA), Journal Name: Numerical Heat Transfer; (USA) Vol. 16:1; ISSN 0149-5720; ISSN NUHTD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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220200 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
42 ENGINEERING
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99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990210 -- Supercomputers-- (1987-1989)
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERS
CONVECTION
CRAY COMPUTERS
CYLINDERS
DESIGN
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DIMENSIONS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EQUATIONS
FINITE DIFFERENCE METHOD
FINS
FLUID FLOW
HEAT TRANSFER
ITERATIVE METHODS
LAMINAR FLOW
MASS TRANSFER
NATURAL CONVECTION
NAVIER-STOKES EQUATIONS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
THICKNESS
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS