Numerical calculation of fully developed laminar flow in irregular annuli

Abstract

Purpose

This study seeks to focus on the annular flow between rectangular and equilateral‐triangular ducts under all possible arrangements. The aim of this work is to obtain accurate prediction of the friction factor of this flow using high‐order finite element method.

Design/methodology/approach

Steady and fully developed laminar flow of incompressible Newtonian fluid in an annulus of variable cross‐sectional geometry is investigated numerically. Accurate prediction of the friction factor of this flow was obtained using high‐order finite element method.

Findings

The results were in agreement with already published findings in the literature. It was found that a higher annular area ratio will lead to a monotonic increase in fRe value in the case of regular annuli, and will lead to an increase followed by a decrease in fRe value in the case of irregular annuli. Also, it was, found that irregular annuli have lower fRe value than regular annuli, and that the square‐in‐triangle case has the lowest fRe value, whereas the square‐in‐square case has the highest fRe value.

Originality/value

Accurate prediction of the friction factor of the laminar flow in irregular annuli was obtained. Also, the obtained results can be utilized to optimize the annular geometries under consideration. In addition, the obtained results can lead to the design of more efficient heat exchangers.

Citation

Haddad, O.M. and Al‐Odat, M.Q. (2006), "Numerical calculation of fully developed laminar flow in irregular annuli", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 16 No. 3, pp. 293-303. https://doi.org/10.1108/09615530610649726