Thermal Uniformity Study in a Circular Divergent Diffuser with Swirl Flow Generator

Abstract

Abstract In this work, numerical and experimentally study of thermal uniformity coefficient is performed in an annular diffuser fitted with a swirl generator. Temperature distribution and thermal uniformity are studied. For this research paper, the swirling and the helical motion are induced by a helical screw tape placed on the hub. The experimental measurement is reported for helical screw-tape with H = 0.005 m width and t= 0.002 m thickness in a constant inlet condition. The effect of the helical screw-tape inserts is investigated at an inlet Reynolds number (Re) of 7.7 x 104 based on the hydraulic diameter and the flow is considered as turbulent and incompressible. Numerical simulations are carried out using NUMECA FINE™/Open v3.1 applying standard k-e model as a turbulence model. The effect of the helical screw-tape on the thermal uniformity is investigated at the same Reynolds number. Results show that the experiment gave results that match the numerical simulation results very well. This swirling flow leads to thermal fluid mixing between the core flow and the wall regions of the annular diffuser, and consequently, improves the thermal uniformity rate significantly.