Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Aerodynamics and Impingement Heat Transfer From Hexagonal Arrays of Multiple Dual-Swirling Impinging Flame Jets

Abstract

Radiative furnaces pose significant thermal inertia and single impinging flames have been observed to cause occurrence of hotspots on the target surface. Multiple burners arranged in suitable array configuration represent one of the plausible solutions for more uniform heat transfer. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations have been carried out for multiple swirling impinging flames arranged in a hexagonal array configuration. The turbulence chemistry interactions in the flame field are solved numerically using renormalization group (RNG) based k–ε/eddy dissipation model (EDM) framework. Comparison of co-and-counter-swirling configurations has been studied for interactions and spent gas release mechanism. Multiple swirling impinging flames undergo strong interactions resulting in distortions of recirculation zones (RCZ) for all the surrounding except central flame. Co-swirling flames result in development of higher turbulence in the interaction regions as compared to counter-swirl case. Results indicate that some flames in counter-swirl case are underutilized due to the fluid dynamics developed in the system and co-swirling hexagonal array configuration is a better arrangement for effective heating of target surface. Effect of interjet spacing (S/Dh = 5, 7, and 9) and separation distance (H/Dh = 3, 5, 7, and 9) studied for co-swirl case revealed that peak heat fluxes decreased with increasing interjet spacing and separation distance. Central flame represented a region of low heat flux and this region has been noticed to expand in size for increasing interjet spacings. Suppression of central flame has been observed to be maximum for minimum separation distance.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis of Flow Patterns, Pressure Drop, and Heat Transfer Coefficient in Staggered and Inline Shell-Tube Heat Exchangers

“…"k-ω" design model had been reported to be the least important determinant and reliable assessment of empirical outcomes. With an improvement in "H/D" from six-to-ten at "Re p " � 9 × 10 3 and "interjet-spacing, S/D " of three, the mean of heat transfer performance "h" significantly decreases from 0.021 to 0.0193 W/cm 2 K. e interjet spacing "S/D " of three was being computed to be the more optimal value predicated upon analytical findings as unveiled by the Singh et al [34].…”

“…At the same time, the model is stable and poses lesser convergence difficulties. e governing equations for the flow are given as follows [23][24][25][26][27][28]34].…”

Thermal characteristics of arrays of swirling impinging jets: Effect of Reynolds number, impingement distance, and jet‐to‐jet separation

“…They observed that high heat flux areas are largely correlated to jet interactions. Singh et al 24,25 computationally investigated the flow and heat transfer characteristics of hexagonal and inline (3 × 3) dualswirling impinging flame jets. They observed a symmetrical heat transfer distribution for each case and a wider impingement area due to the recirculation zone.…”