Natural Convection in Tubes

Advances in Fluid Mechanics VII
401
Natural convection in tubes

a solar water heating application
V. M. Kriplani1 & M. P. Nimkar2
1
2
Department of Mechanical Eng., G.H.R.C.E., Nagpur, India

Department of Mechanical Eng., PIET, Nagpur, India
Abstract
The present work deals with experimental studies on heat transfer and flow
characteristic for buoyancy induced flow through inclined tubes. The parameters
that were varied during the experimentation are tube inclination and heat supply.
It was found that the mass flow rate and the heat transfer coefficient increase
with an increase in heat flux. The flow rate decreases for an increase in the tube
inclination.
Keywords: thermo siphon, natural convection, buoyancy induced flow, solar
water heating system, uniform wall heat flux, renewable energy.
Introduction
Heat transfer by natural convection inside the tube (circular or square) has a
large number of applications in industries. These include solar water heating
systems, cooling of gas turbine blades, heat exchangers etc. The heat transfer and
flow characteristics with respect to various parameters play a vital role for the
design of such systems .The present work is carried out with a specific
application in mind, i.e. domestic solar water heating systems.
Presently most of the dimensions of solar water heaters are standardized from
some other commercial consideration and not necessarily giving the best thermosiphon results. Little information is available in the literature on the heat transfer
characteristics for buoyancy-induced flow through inclined tubes [14]. The
present work aims to study the effect of tube inclination and heat flux on heat
transfer and flow characteristics for buoyancy induced flow through inclined
tubes, and to develop an experimental model. Hence this work is undertaken.
WIT Transactions on Engineering Sciences, Vol 59, 2008 WIT Press

www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3533 (on-line)
doi:10.2495/AFM080391
402 Advances in Fluid Mechanics VII
Nomenclature
a = Side of the square tube (m)

h= Heat transfer coefficient (W/m2 oC)
q = Heat flux (W/m2)
m = Mass flow rate (ml/min)
g = Acceleration due to gravity (m/sec2)
t = Temperature, (oC)
k = Thermal conductivity (W/moC)
Cp = Specific heat at constant pressure, (kJ / kg K)
DIMENSIONLESS NUMBER
Gr = Grashof Number ( g T a3 / 2)
Nu = Nusselt Number (h a / k)
Pr = Prandtl Number ( Cp / k)
Ra = Rayleigh Number (Gr Pr)
Re =Reynolds Number (4 m / (a)
GREEK SYMBOLS
= Angle of Inclination (degree)
= Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, K-1
= Kinematic Viscosity, (m2 / sec)
= Dynamic Viscosity, (N-s /m2)
Experimental set-up
A schematic of the test set up is shown in Fig.1. It consists of a long aluminum

tube. The tube is wound uniformly with a 90-gauge Nichrome wire to provide a
uniform heat flux condition on the tube surface. The power supplied is measured
directly with the help of a pre-calibrated digital wattmeter. The tube was
insulated to reduce the external heat loss. The tube is connected to a constant
headwater tank and the flow is measured with the help of a calibrated measuring
jar. Thermocouples were used to measure the wall and water inlet and outlet
temperatures. The arrangement and methodology suggested by Prayagi and
Thombre [4] was adopted for this purpose. Thermocouples were used to measure
the wall temperature.
Figure 1:
Schematic of experimental set-up.

403
Thermocouples were used to measure the inlet and outlet temperature of

water flowing through the tube. A linear temperature variation was assumed
from the inlet to the exit of the flowing water. It is well justified since the
boundary condition created at the tube surface is a uniform heat flux boundary
condition. The dimensional details of the experimental set-up and the parameters
varied during the experimentation are given in table 1.
Table 1:
Sr.No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
Details of the experimental set-up.
Parameter
Tube length
Square tube side
Tube inclination ()
Heat flux supplied (q)
Insulation used
Fluid used
Range
1.5m
0.012 m
200, 300, 450 and 600
200 W/m2 to 7000 W/m2
Asbestos
Water
Results
The steady state data generated in the experimental set-up for different values of
tube inclination and heat flux where correlated for heat transfer and flow
characteristics as described below.
4.1 Heat transfer characteristics
The increase in the heat transfer coefficient for different values of tube
inclination with respect to heat flux is shown in fig.2. It represents the effect of
heat supplied on the fully developed heat transfer coefficient for the test section
of 20 degree inclination, 12mm side square tube and 1.5 m length.
250
200
150
( 20 degree)
Poly. (( 20 degree))
100
50
0
0
2000
4000
6000
He at flux (q)
Figure 2:
Heat transfer characteristics.
It can be seen from the fig.2 that with an increase in the value of heat
supplied, the heat transfer coefficient tends to increase. This is due to the fact
that with an increase in heat supplied the buoyancy force tends to increase. The
net effect of this is to increase the mass flow rate of liquid through the tube. The
same trend was observed for the other configurations.

Conventionally the heat supplied (the main driving force) is represented by
the Rayleigh number, whereas the heat transfer coefficient is represented by the
Nusselt number. Hence in the present study the heat transfer characteristics are
obtained by correlating the Nusselt number with the Rayleigh number.
Fig. 3 shows the plot between the Nusselt number and the Rayleigh number
for all configurations investigated.
Nusselt number Vs Rayleigh number
( Combine data )
4.5
Nusselt number
4
3.5
3
2.5
Series1
2
1.5
Linear (Series1)
1
0.5
0
0
2000000
4000000
6000000
Rayleigh number
Figure 3:
Nusselt number versus Rayleigh number.
It can be seen from this figure that the Nusselt number increases with an
increase in the Rayleigh number. This is an expected result, since an increase in
the Rayleigh number increases the buoyancy force and hence the flow rate and
the Nusselt number. Typically for an increase in the Rayleigh number of about
50%, the increase in the Nusselt number is around 30%. This is attributed to the
fact that if heat supplied is increased, the corresponding system equilibrium
temperature will also increase, thereby leading to more heat loss from the
system. Furthermore, the increase in heat loss depends upon the heat capacity of
the liquid. The higher the heat capacity, the lower will be the heat loss and vice
versa. The correlation (best fit curve) obtained from the fig.3 is as follows.
Nu=1*10-9Ra1.442
(1)
This equation is valid for Rayleigh numbers ranging from 7 x 105 to 5 x 106
and Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.3658 x 102.
4.2 Flow characteristics
Figure 4 represents the effect of heat flux on the flow rate for the test section
with 20 degree inclination, 12mm side tube and 1.5m length. The following
observations were made:
a. The induced flow rate increases with the heat supplied and the variation is
nearly parabolic.
b. The same trend was also observed for other configurations investigated.
Conventionally the heat supplied for the buoyancy force is represented by the
Rayleigh number, whereas the induced flow rate established is represented by
Reynolds number. Hence to obtain mass flow characteristics, the Reynolds
number is correlated with the Rayleigh number. The relevant data is plotted in
the fig.5. It can be seen from the figure that the Reynolds number increases with
an increase in the value of the Rayleigh number.
405
160
140
120
100
20 degree
80
Poly. (20 degree)
60
40
20
0
0
2000
4000
6000
Heat flux (q)
Figure 4:
Flow characteristics.
Reynolds number
Reynolds number Vs Rayleigh number

( Combine Data )
500
450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Series1
100000
0
200000
0
300000
0
400000
0
500000
0
600000
0
Rayleigh number
Figure 5:
Reynolds number versus Rayleigh number.
Nusselt number Vs Reynolds number

( Combine Data)
4.5
Nusselt number
4
3.5
3
Series1
2.5
2
Power (Series1)
1.5
1
0.5
0
0
100
200
300
400
500
Reynolds number
Figure 6:
Nusselt number versus Reynolds number.
The Reynolds number increases with an increase in the value of the Rayleigh
number. Typically it was observed that for an increase in the Rayleigh number
from 3 x 105 to 4 x 105, the percentage increase in the value of the Reynolds
number was around 30-35%. This is an expected variation as an increase in the
Rayleigh number increases the buoyancy force, which results in a higher mass
flow rate. Thus from the above analysis it can be concluded that the Reynolds
number is dependent upon the Rayleigh number.
The correlation (best fit curve) obtained from the fig.6 is as follows.
Nu = 0.029 * Re0.7864
(2)

This correlation is valid for Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.3658 x 102.
Validation
The present experimentation was validated against the laminar forced

convection, which is available in the literature i.e.
Nu = ha/k = 4.36
Conclusions
Experiments were performed to study heat transfer and flow characteristics for
buoyancy induced flow through inclined square tubes with different inclinations
and variations in heat flux. The following observations were made.
6.1 Heat transfer characteristics
The heat transfer coefficient is strongly influenced by heat flux.
When the heat flux increases, the heat transfer coefficient also
increases.
The heat transfer coefficient is found to be the weak function of the tube
inclination.
The correlation obtained is as follows:
Nu = 1 * 10-9 Ra 1.442
This equation is valid for Rayleigh numbers ranging from 7 x 105 to 5 x 106
and Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.3658 x 102.
6.2 Mass flow rate characteristics
The mass flow rate increases with the heat supplied and the variation is
parabolic.
The mass flow rate is strongly influenced by heat flux.
The mass flow rate is found to be practically independent of the tube
inclination and tube length.
The correlation obtained is as follows:
Nu = 0.029 * Re0.7864
This equation is valid for Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.3658 x 102.
Scope for future work
The present study needs to be extended further as suggested below.

The experimental data should be generated for air as in the case of air
heaters operating under natural convection.

407
It is also proposed to change the fluid inlet temperature by placing the

heater in between the inlet fluid tank and the test section, in order to
study the effect of a change in the inlet temperature of fluid on the heat
and mass transfer characteristics.
Insertion of twisted strip or fins on the test section in order to enhance
the heat transfer.
It is also proposed that using a different aspect ratio (i.e. length to
diameter ratio), an experiment should be performed to study the effect
of diameter and length on heat and mass transfer characteristics.
Mathematical models should be developed for heat transfer as well as
for mass-flow rate and must be compared with the experimental data
generated. This mathematical model will be helpful for an optimum
design of the solar water collector system.
Extensive experimental data should be generated to study the effect of
twisted strip insertion inside the tube on the heat and mass flow
characteristics. A mathematical correlation should be developed, in
order to strike a balance between the parameters mentioned above for
an optimum design.
References
[1] Akhtar N.A., Ali S.S., Siddiqui M.A., Heat transfer and fluid flow in open
loop thermo siphon with a inclined tube, Journal of Heat & Mass Transfer,
PP. 313317, 1995.
[2] Agrawal C.P. Alam S.S., & Gopalkrishna N.: Heat transfer studies in a
vertical tube of a closed loop, Indian Chemical Engineers XXI (3), PP.37
39, 1979.
[3] Ozoe, H. Sayama, Churchill S.W.: Natural convection in an inclined
rectangular Channel at various aspect ratios and angles Experimental
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14251431.
[4] Prayagi S.V. and Thombre S.B.: Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow
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Kalpakkam, 2004
[5] Prayagi S.V. and Thombre S.B.: Effect of Inlet temperature on Buoyancy
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IMECE 2005. ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and
Exposition, Orlando, Florida, 2005.
[6] Randy Clarksean, Greg Philips (Idaho) A Parametric study of heat transfer
with in a planar thermo siphon, National Heat Transfer Conference Atlanta
Aug 8-11, 1993.
[7] Kuan-Tzong,: Laminar natural convection heat & mass transfer in vertical
rectangular, International Journal of Heat & Mass Transfer, Vol - 42, Issue
- 24, 45234534. 1999.


[8] Dyer J.R., The development of laminar natural convective flow in a vertical
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[9] Abdul-Wahed R.M: Experiments on laminar flow and heat transfer in an
elliptical duct, International Journal of Heat & Mass Transfer, Vol- 27,
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[10] Siegwarth D.P.: Effect of secondary flow on the temperature field and
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[11] Ozoe Hiroyuki, Natural convection in an inclined rectangular channel at
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[16] Engineering Index, VNIT, Nagpur.


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Advances in Fluid Mechanics VII