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To cite this article: Mohamed E. Ali & Hany Al-Ansary (2010): Experimental Investigations on Natural Convection Heat
Transfer Around Horizontal Triangular Ducts, Heat Transfer Engineering, 31:5, 350-361
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Heat Transfer Engineering, 31(5):350–361, 2010
Copyright
C Taylor and Francis Group, LLC
ISSN: 0145-7632 print / 1521-0537 online
DOI: 10.1080/01457630903373132
Experimental Investigations on
Natural Convection Heat Transfer
Around Horizontal Triangular Ducts
Experimental investigations have been reported on steady-state natural convection from the outer surfaces of horizontal
ducts with triangular cross sections in air. Two different horizontal positions are considered; in the first position, the
vertex of the triangle faces up, while in the other position, the vertex faces down. Five equilateral triangular cross-section
ducts have been used with cross-section side length of 0.044, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, and 0.13 m. The ducts are heated using
internal constant-heat-flux heating elements. The temperatures along the surface and peripheral directions of the duct
wall are measured. Longitudinal (perimeter-averaged) heat transfer coefficients along the side of each duct are obtained for
natural convection heat transfer. Total overall averaged heat transfer coefficients are also obtained. Longitudinal (perimeter-
averaged) Nusselt numbers and the modified Rayleigh numbers are evaluated and correlated using different characteristic
lengths. Furthermore, total overall averaged Nusselt numbers are correlated with the modified Rayleigh numbers. Moreover,
a dimensionless temperature group was developed and correlated with the modified Rayleigh number. For the upward-facing
case, laminar and transition regimes are obtained and characterized. However, for the downward-facing vertex case, only
the transition regime is observed. The local (perimeter-averaged) or the overall total Nusselt numbers increase as the
modified Rayleigh numbers increase in the transition regime. However, Nusselt numbers decrease as the modified Rayleigh
numbers increase in the laminar regime.
350
M. E. ALI AND H. AL-ANSARY 351
after 2 h of setting a new input power to ensure that steady-state Therefore for each heat flux (run) there are 11 Tx longitudinal
conditions have been reached as shown in Figure 1b. The pro- temperature measurements. Consequently, once the electrical
cedure just outlined is used to generate natural convection heat input power to the duct is measured, qr and qBk can be calcu-
transfer data in air (Prandtl number ≈0.69). lated from Eq. (2) and the corresponding value of qc can then
be calculated from Eq. (1). Using this information, the axial
(perimeter averaged) heat transfer coefficient hx can be calcu-
ANALYSES OF THE EXPERIMENT lated from:
qc
hx = , x = 1, 2, 3, . . . , 11 (5)
The heat generated inside the duct wall dissipates from the Tx − T∞
duct surface by convection and radiation in addition to the heat
Hence, the nondimensional axial (perimeter averaged) Nusselt
lost by axial conduction through the Bakelite end plates:
number and the modified Rayleigh number are obtained from:
EIP = Electrical input power = As (qc + qr ) + ABk qBk (1)
hx x g β qc x4
Nux = , Ra∗x = (6)
where As is the duct total surface area, ABk is the Bakelite sur- k νkα
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face area normal to the direction of heat transfer by conduction All physical properties are evaluated at the axial perimeter av-
through the end plates, and qc and qr are the fraction of the heat eraged mean temperature θx for each qc .
flux dissipated from the duct surface by convection and radi- Since the duct surface is uniformly heated, the surface tem-
ation, respectively. The heat flux lost by radiation (qr ) and by perature distribution becomes another important parameter. A
axial conduction through the Bakelite end plates (qBk ) can be suitable way to account for the axial surface temperature dis-
calculated respectively by: tribution is by using a dimensionless surface temperature group
(TiB − ToB ) χ = (Txq−T ∞) k
in a correlated form of Rayleigh number, as shown
qr = εσ T̄4 −, T4sur , qBk = kBk (2) c Lc
in the Results section.
δ
It should be noted that qr is estimated using the total overall
averaged surface temperature T̄ at each experimental run on a
Total Overall Averaged Heat Transfer Coefficient
given duct and ε is the surface emissivity of the duct, which
was taken to be 0.27 for polished mild steel [22]. Measurements
show that the fraction of radiated heat transfer is about 16 to In this case the perimeter-averaged heat transfer coefficient
20% of the total input power, while the axial conduction heat hx is first evaluated at each station x as in Eq. (5) and then the
lost through the Bakelite end plates is 0.5 to 1.1%. In the second overall longitudinal average h̄1 is obtained as:
term of Eq. (2), TiB and ToB are the measured inside and outside
9
surface temperatures of the Bakelite end plates, respectively, h̄1 = hx /7 (7)
and kBk and δ represent the Bakelite thermal conductivity and x=3
thickness, respectively. The heat transferred by convection is
It should be mentioned that to obtain the overall average heat
assumed to dissipate uniformly from the outer surface of the
transfer coefficient by Eq. (7), two stations from each end are
duct. It is also assumed that the duct’s surface behaves as a
excluded to eliminate end effects, allowing only seven stations
gray surface such that the first part of Eq. (2) can be used for
to be used in the equation.
estimating the radiative heat lost.
Therefore, each heat flux qc is represented by only one over-
all averaged heat transfer coefficient, in contrast to the axial
Axial (Perimeter-Averaged) Heat Transfer Coefficient case where qc is presented by 11 hx terms along the longitudi-
nal direction given by Eq. (5). All perimeter-averaged physical
properties are first obtained at θx ; then the overall averaged
In this case the perimeter-averaged surface temperature at
properties are obtained the same way following Eq. (7). The
any station x in the longitudinal direction for each constant heat
nondimensional overall averaged Nusselt number and the mod-
flux (run) is determined by:
ified Rayleigh number are defined using either the duct length
3 as a characteristic length (L = 1 m) or one side of the equi-
Tx = Txj /3, (3) lateral cross-section triangle Lc as a characteristic length as
j=1 follows:
where j represents the thermocouples in the perimeter direction h̄1 L g β qc L4 h̄1 Lc
at any station x along the surface of the duct. The arithmetic NuL = , Ra∗L = or NuLc = ,
k νkα k
mean surface temperature is calculated along the axial direction
for each run by: g β qc L4c
Ra∗Lc = (8)
θx = 0.5 (Tx + T∞ ), x = 1, 2, . . . , 11 (4) νkα
In order to compare the present results with similar previously Table 1 Maximum percentage uncertainties of various quantities in the
published results, another way of averaged results using the laminar and transition regimes
overall averaged temperature is also used. In this way the tem- Transition range (%)
perature is first perimeter-averaged following Eq. (3), and then Laminar range (%),
the overall average temperature is obtained as: Quantity duct facing up Duct facing up Duct facing down
7.0 12
hx(W/m2K)
t/t
1021.31
1210.42
5.0
835.97
1021.31
10
4.0
835.97
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9
3.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 x/L
x/L (a)
(a) 7.2
1.20
1.15
hx(W/m2K)
6.4 14.42
t/t
14.42
1.10 6.0 22.86
5.6
7.47
1.05
5.2
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
1.00 x/L
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 (b)
x/L Figure 3 Axial perimeter averaged heat transfer coefficient (solid lines) along
(b) the duct surface for selected heat fluxes for duct number 5 (Lc = 0.13 m). Dashed
lines present the overall averaged heat transfer coefficient given by Eq. (7): (a)
Figure 2 Perimeter-averaged dimensionless axial temperature distributions
transition regime and (b) laminar regime.
along the duct surface for selected heat fluxes for duct number 5 (Lc = 0.13 m):
(a) transition regime and (b) laminar regime.
1000
0.10 18%
8
6
Nux
4
100
χ
7.0
qc= 1402.74 W/m2
6.5
6.0
1169.93
991.53
tx / t
5.5
5.0
819.25
4.5
4.0
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(a) (b)
Figure 9 Possible changes in flow pattern with the position of the duct vertex.
3.5
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0
x/L
(a)
with a correlation coefficient of R = 96.1% and an error band
of ±18% where 90% of the data points fall within this band and
12.0 with the same error limits of exponent as Eq. (15).
The overall averaged results using the definitions of NuL
and Ra∗L given by Eq. (8) are shown in Figure 12a for the transi-
11.5
qc= 1402.74 W/m2 tion region. The fitting curve through these data is obtained by
the following correlation, which is represented by the solid line
with a correlation coefficient of R = 93.1%:
0.156
hx(W/m2K)
11.0 NuL = 4.672 Ra∗L , 5.5 × 1010 ≤ Ra∗L ≤ 2.5 × 1012 (20)
1169.93
Dashed lines in Figure 12a represent an error band of ±15%
10.5
where all the data fall within this band with error limits of
991.53
1000
10.0 18 %
819.25
9.5
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
x/L
(b) Nux
Figure 8 Perimeter-averaged parameters along the down-pointing duct sur- 100
face for selected heat fluxes for duct number 5 (Lc = 0.13 m) (transition
regime): (a) dimensionless axial temperature distributions and (b) heat transfer
coefficients.
1000
18% 15 %
0.10
Nu
L
4
χ
Duct # 1 (4.4 cm)
Duct # 1 (4.4 cm) Duct # 2 (6 cm)
2
Duct # 2 (6 cm) Duct # 3 (8 cm)
Duct # 3 (8 cm) Duct # 4 (10 cm)
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(21)
with a correlation coefficient of R = 97% and an error band 10
width of ±18% where 84.8% of the points fall within the band 18%
and with error limits of exponent similar to those in Eq. (17).
1E+005 1E+006 1E+007 1E+008 1E+009
It should be noted that by inspecting Figures 6 and 11, which
show the dimensionless surface temperature for the two duct RaLc
orientations as well as the corresponding Eqs. (15) and (19), (b)
one could notice that those experimental data are less sensitive Figure 12 The overall averaged Nusselt numbers for the transition regime
to the duct orientation. Therefore, those data are gathered in for down-facing ducts: (a) using L = 1 m as a characteristic length; solid
one curve as shown in Figure 13 with the following best fitting line presents the fitting through the data given by Eq. (20); (b) using Lc as a
characteristic length; solid line presents the fitting through the data given by
correlation, which covers both orientations: Eq. (21).
−0.201
χ = 1.21 Ra∗Lc , 3.0 × 105 ≤ Ra∗Lc ≤ 6.0 × 108 (22)
for the same error band width of ±15 % and for R = 89.4 %.
with a correlation coefficient of R = 95.6% with the same error Furthermore, Figures 7b and 12b reveal the same pattern when
band width of ±18% and with the same error limits of exponent Lc is used as a characteristic length in the overall averaged
as Eq. (15). parameter with the following correlation:
The same remarks could apply to Figures 7a and 12a for
0.203
the overall average parameter with the following correlation NuLc = 0.797 Ra∗Lc , 3.0 × 105 ≤ Ra∗Lc ≤ 5.5 × 108
covering both orientations:
0.153 (24)
NuL = 5.014 Ra∗L , 5.5 × 1010 ≤ Ra∗L ≤ 2.5 × 1012
with a correlation coefficient of R = 96.7% with the same error
(23) band width of ±18%.
heat transfer engineering vol. 31 no. 5 2010
M. E. ALI AND H. AL-ANSARY 359
1000
0.10 Facing up ducts Eq. (14)
facing down ducts
8 Eq. (16)
Ali [20]
6
Nux
4
χ 100
2
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10
0.01 1E+8 1E+9 1E+10 1E+11 1E+12
1E+5 1E+6 1E+7 1E+8 1E+9 Rax*
RaLc
Figure 15 Comparison of the local perimeter averaged equations obtained
Figure 13 Local perimeter-averaged dimensionless surface temperature dis- for horizontal triangular ducts with those obtained by Ali [20] for rectangular
tributions for both orientations of the ducts; solid line represents the fitting ducts.
through the data given by Eq. (22).
CONCLUSIONS
axial surface temperatures are defined and correlated with the Subscripts
modified Rayleigh number for each orientation and for both of
them [Eqs. (15), (19), and (22)]. Moreover, more correlations 1 used for overall longitudinal-averaged heat transfer co-
are obtained using the overall average data when L or Lc is used efficient defined by Eq. (7)
as a characteristic length for each duct orientation and for both 2 used for overall averaged heat transfer coefficient de-
of them. It was found that the dimensionless surface tempera- fined by Eq. (11)
ture χ and the overall average parameters are less sensitive to Bk Bakelite
the duct’s orientation. Finally, a critical correlation is obtained j indices in the perimeter direction ranging from 1 to 3
to segregate the laminar and transition regimes when the duct L characteristic length, m
vertex faces up [Eq. (13)]. sur surroundings
x indices in the axial direction ranging from 1 to 11
x characteristic length, m
∞ ambient condition
NOMENCLATURE
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Superscript
As duct total surface area, 3Lc L, m2
ABk end plate cross-section area, m2 — average quantity
EIP electrical input power, W
g gravitational acceleration, m s−2
h heat transfer coefficient, W m−2 K−1 REFERENCES
k thermal conductivity, W m−1 K−1
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Lc equilateral triangle cross-section side length of the York, chap. 7, 1954.
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International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, vol. 24, pp. 864– [23] Moffat, R. J., Describing Uncertainties in Experimental Results,
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Vertical Helical Coiled Tubes, International Journal of Heat and [24] Kays, W. M., and Crawford, M. E., Convective Heat and Mass
Mass Transfer, vol. 37, no. 4, pp. 665–671, 1994. Transfer, 3rd ed., McGraw-Hill, Singapore, chap. 17, p. 403, 1993.
[13] Ali, M. E., Laminar Natural Convection from Constant Heat Flux
Helical Coiled Tubes, International Journal of Heat and Mass Mohamed E. Ali is a professor of heat transfer in the
Transfer, vol. 41, no. 14, pp. 2175–2182, 1998. Mechanical Engineering Department at King Saud
[14] Ali, M. E., Free Convection Heat Transfer from the Outer Surface University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He received his
of Vertically Oriented Helical Coils in Glycerol Water Solution, Ph.D. in 1988 from University of Colorado, Boul-
der. His main research interests are stability of flu-
Heat and Mass Transfer, vol. 40, no. 8, pp. 615–620, 2004.
ids with heat transfer, numerical and semi-analytical
[15] Ali M. E., Natural Convection Heat Transfer from Vertical Helical
heat transfer of stretched plate, experimental and nu-
Coils in Oil, Heat Transfer Engineering, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 79–85, merical natural convection heat transfer from differ-
2006. ent objects (coils, rectangles, squares, and triangular
[16] Raithby, G. D., and Hollands, K. G. T., A general method of ducts), and nano-fluid heat transfer. He has published
obtaining approximate solutions to laminar and turbulent free more than 50 articles in well-recognized journals and proceedings. He is a
Downloaded by [Kungliga Tekniska Hogskola] at 17:44 28 January 2013
convection problems in: Advances in Heat Transfer, vol. 11, eds. referee for most international journals in his field. He has collaborated in re-
T. F. Irvine and J. P. Hartnett, Academic Press, New York, pp. search with professors at University of Colorado at Boulder, Northwestern
265–315, 1975. University at Evanston, IL, and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zürich,
[17] Hassani V., Natural Convection Heat Transfer from Cylinders of Switzerland.
Arbitrary Cross Section, ASME J. Heat Transfer, vol. 114, pp. Hany Al-Ansary is an assistant professor in the Me-
768–773, 1992. chanical Engineering Department at King Saud Uni-
[18] Nakamura, H., and Asako, Y., Laminar Free Convection From versity, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He received his Ph.D.
a Horizontal Cylinder with Uniform Cross Section of Arbitrary from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, in
Shape, Bulletin of the JSME, vol. 21, no. 153, pp. 471–478, 1978. 2004. His research interests are in the areas of so-
[19] Zeitoun, O., and Ali, M., Numerical Investigation of Natural Con- lar thermal energy utilization, heating/ventilation/air
vection Around Isothermal Horizontal Rectangular Ducts, Numer- conditioning (HVAC), energy conservation, and heat-
ical Heat Transfer Part A, vol. 50, pp189–204, 2006. operated refrigeration systems. He is currently in-
volved in a number of research projects funded by
[20] Ali, M, Natural convection heat transfer from horizontal rectan-
King Saud University, King Abdulaziz City for Sci-
gular ducts, ASME Journal of Heat Transfer, vol. 129, no. 9, pp.
ence and Technology, and the Saudi Telecom Company. His research work has
1195–1202, 2007. so far resulted in two patent applications. During his course of study at Georgia
[21] William, D., and Callister, Jr., Materials Science and Engineering, Tech, he received more than two years of cooperative training at GE Power
An Introduction, 6th ed, John Wiley & Sons, New York, chap. 19. Systems in Atlanta, GA, that involved analysis of the performance of heavy-
p. 660, 2003. duty gas turbines and selection of appropriate conversion and modification.
[22] Siegel, R., and Howell, J. R., Thermal Radiation Heat Transfer, He is currently the director of the Intellectual Property Program at King Saud
3rd ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1992. University.