Comparative analysis of convective heat transfer in novel spiral tube geometries for enhanced thermal performance.

Abstract

This research explores the convective heat transfer performance of three configurations: a conventional spiral tube, a Spiral Flow Reverser (SFR), and a Semicircular Spiral Flow Reverser (SSFR). The study aims to determine their relative thermal efficiencies across varying Reynolds numbers (Re). A combination of numerical simulations and experimental analysis was employed to evaluate the thermal performance of the three designs. Key parameters, such as the Thermal Performance Ratio (TPR), were assessed under a range of Re to identify peak efficiency conditions. The SFR and SSFR demonstrated significantly improved heat transfer compared to the traditional spiral tube. At a Re of 17,207, the SFR achieved a TPR of 1.24, while the SSFR attained a superior ratio of 1.45. The SSFR consistently outperformed all other configurations across all scenarios, underscoring its effectiveness in enhancing heat transfer. These findings highlight the potential of spiral flow reversal and semicircular designs in optimizing heat exchanger performance.