Three dimensional CFD analysis of solar air heater for enhancement of thermal performance using arc-shaped wire turbulator

A literature review carried out by the authors reveals that that a CFD analysis has not been the focus of attention to evaluate the efficacy of turbulators for improving the thermal performance of solar air heaters. A three dimensional CFD analysis is carried out in the present work to augment the performance of solar air heater. Arc shaped wire turbulators (with forward and reverse curvature aligned with flow direction), V- shaped wire turbulators (with forward and reverse geometry with respect to the flow direction) and Straight turbulators are used in this study to improve the flow turbulence and thereby enhance the convective heat transfer to air. The numerical results are validated with experimental results for model without turbulator to calibrate the numerical methodology. The numerical results show that turbulators whether curved or straight are useful in enhancing the heat transfer rates. The Arc shaped turbulators have been found to provide better heat transfer coefficient value compared to that of straight and V-shape turbulators. Also interestingly, Reverse arc turbulators seems to provide better heat transfer coefficient value compared to forward arc turbulators. Further, V-angle has no significant effect for both forward and reverse V-turbulator configurations.