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Characterization of Heat Transfer Enhancement and Flow Topology in a Three-Start Spirally Corrugated Tube
Author(s)
Date Issued
December 1, 2025
Type
Article
Abstract
The article provides a numerical analysis of the heat transfer characteristics and laminar periodic flow in a three-dimensional 3-start spirally corrugated tube. The working fluid is air, with a flow rate in terms of Reynolds numbers (Re) that ranges from 200 to 2,000. The investigation is conducted at six different pitch ratios (PR = 0.75, 1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5) and five different depth ratios (DR = 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.10). The results indicated that the spiral flow along the tube length was generated by the 3-start spirally corrugated tube. The swirl flow is divided into two components: the primary swirl flow, which is visible at the core, and the secondary swirl flow, which is visible at the near wall. These components contribute to the enhancement of fluid mixing, boundary layer disruption, and heat transfer on the tube wall. The Nusselt number (Nu) and friction factor (f) were increased as a result of the decrease in PR and the increase in Re and DR. The range of the Nu/Nu₀, f/f₀, and thermal performance factor (TPF) in a range analysis is 1.02 - 15.90, 0.97 - 5.52, and 0.73 - 2.33, respectively. At Re = 2,000, the corrugated tube with DR = 0.10 exhibited the greatest TPF of 2.33. Additionally, the results indicate that the 3-start spirally corrugated tube significantly improves heat transfer compared to the corresponding straight tube. The findings suggest that the structural characteristics of the flow path within the tube can be changed by a suitable PR and DR to optimize the overall heat transfer rate and thermal performance factor.
Citation
Engineered Science, 38, 2025