Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Wavy Sinusoidal Channels : 1st Report, Numerical Analysis of Two Dimensional Laminar Flow Field

Abstract

Flow characteristics have been investigated numerically for a well-developed steady laminar flow in various wavy sinusoidal channels. The finite element method, using an up-wind technique, is applied to obtain the analytical solution of the vorticity transfer equation. Numerical results are presented for the stream lines, vorticity distribution, velocity profiles and friction factor versus Reynolds number. Dependence of the friction factor on the Reynolds number varied remarkably with flow pattern. The ratio of the friction factors in wavy channels and in parallel flat plates was correlated as a function of the geometry as well as the Reynolds number.