Finite element simulation of internal flows with heat transfer using a velocity correction approach

This paper enumerates finite-element based prediction of internal flow prob lems, with heat transfer. The present numerical simulations employ a veloci ty correction algorithm, with a Galerkin weighted residual formulation. Two problems each in laminar and turbulent flow regimes are investigated, by s olving full Navier-Stokes equations. Flow over a backward-facing step is st udied with extensive validations. The robustness of the algorithm is demons trated by solving a very complex problem viz. a disk and doughnut baffled h eat exchanger, which has several obstructions in its flow path, The effect of wall conductivity in turbulent heat transfer is also studied by performi ng a conjugate analysis. Temporal evolution of flow in a channel due to cir cular, square and elliptic obstructions is investigated, to simulate the vo rtex dynamics. Flow past an in-line tube bank of a heat exchanger shell is numerically studied. Resulting heat and fluid flow patterns are analysed. I mportant design parameters of interest such as the Nusselt number, Strouhal number, skin friction coefficient, pressure drop etc. are obtained. It is successfully demonstrated that the velocity correction approach with a Gale rkin weighted residual formulation is able to effectively simulate a wide r ange of fluid flow features.