Journal of Flow Visualization and Image Processing

ISSN for PRINT: 1065-3090

For Online Access

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2003, Volume10

Issue 1-2

162 pages

DOI: 10.1615/JFlowVisImageProc.v10.i12

Issue price - $280.00

Shinzaburo Umeda
Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Fukuyama University, Gakuen-cho, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, 729-0292, Japan

Wen-Jei Yang
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, U.S.A.

An experimental study is performed to determine the mechanism of flow through louver-finned surfaces by means of flow visualization and laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV). The louver angle and flow velocities are varied. Results are obtained for the velocity vector, turbulence intensity, Reynolds stress, and power spectrum together with images of flow patterns in both the fin and louver spaces. It is disclosed that an increase in the louver angle promotes enhancement in mixing performance but the appearance of a separation bubble in the vicinity of louver-fin connection bend limits the louver angle. Large longitudinal vortices are induced in flow through all louvered fins. The uniqueness of the louver-finned system is its arched geometry which serves as a curvature producing the centrifugal force for the enhance mixing performance. Applications of such a system are abundant in compact heat exchange devices most well known in automotive radiators.

DOI: 10.1615/JFlowVisImageProc.v10.i12.40 Download article, 18 pages

Article price - $35.00

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