Large eddy simulation of flow and heat transfer performance in periodically inward corrugated tubes

Corrugated tubes are extensively unitized in enhancing heat transfer within tubular heat exchange devices. The efficiency of these corrugated tubes is closely linked to the geometric characteristics of the surface corrugations. In this study, we conducted an extensive series of Large Eddy Simulations on a representative type of enhanced tube featuring periodic inward corrugations (PIC). Our goal was to compile a comprehensive and precise dataset of the thermal and hydraulic properties specific to this design. The key design parameters that define the corrugated patterns are corrugation height (H), corrugation width (W), and the length of the straight section (P). We systematically explored these parameters to understand their impact on heat transfer and fluid dynamics. Among these parameters, corrugation height (H) has been identified as the most influential factor affecting flow and heat transfer properties. As the corrugation height varies from 1/8D to 3/8D, we observed a substantial increase in the friction factor and Nusselt number by a factor of 209 and 5, respectively, at Re = 1000; while the critical Reynolds number decreased roughly from 800 to 100. These findings underscore the significant role of corrugation height in shaping the flow and heat transfer performance of PIC tubes. The other two parameters, corrugation width and straight section length, were also found to be crucial in determining the overall heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop. When Re = 1000, variations in W/D from 1 to 3 resulted in a 1.3-fold increase in both the f and the Nu. Furthermore, altering the P/D from 2 to 6 led to a 2.1-fold increase in f and a 2.2-fold increase in Nu. The results of our study suggest that when utilizing this type of corrugated tubes, careful consideration is required to strike an optimal balance between heat transfer efficiency and pressure loss. The large-sets LES results presented in this paper can serve as valuable inputs for optimizing the design of PIC tubes.