Effect of V-Shaped Baffles on Heat Transfer and Thermal Performance Characteristics in a Heat Exchanger Tube

This work presents a computational investigation of turbulent flow and heat transfer within a round tube fitted with staggered V-shaped baffles. The aim is to examine the influence of blockage ratio (BR) on heat transfer enhancement and friction factor under a constant wall heat flux, utilizing air as the testing fluid. Calculations were performed across a Reynolds number ranging from 4000 to 20,000, with blockage ratios of 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, and 0.3. The findings indicate that the minimal blockage ratio (BR = 0.05) yields the optimal thermal performance, with a peak thermal performance index (TPI) of 2.5 at Re = 4000. The study indicates that the blockage ratio significantly affects the intensity of vortex formation, which maintains the state of equilibrium between heat transfer increase and pressure loss. These research results provide essential criteria for choosing appropriate baffle configurations in advanced heat exchanger designs, providing enhanced thermal performance while preserving acceptable flow resistance.