International Journal of Mechanical and Production

Engineering Research and Development (IJMPERD)

ISSN(P): 2249-6890; ISSN(E): 2249-8001
Vol. 8, Issue 6, Dec 2018, 643-660
© TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF HEAT TRANSFER AND

FRICTION FACTOR IN SOLAR AIR HEATER DUCT USING

DOUBLE ARC REVERSE SHAPED RIB ROUGHNESS

ON ABSORBER PLATE

YOGESH AGRAWAL & J. L. BHAGORIA

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal,
Madhya Pradesh, India
ABSTRACT

A solar air heater is a thermal system that uses artificial roughness in the form of repeated ribs on the
absorbent plate to improve the rate of heat transfer. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the thermo
hydraulic performance using Double arc reverse shaped ribs in the air absorption plate that passes through the
rectangular duct, the rough wall is heated while the other three walls are insulated. The roughness of the wall have a
pitch (p) of 10 mm, the relative roughness pitch (p/e) = 8.33, the height of the rib (e) is 1.2 mm, the height of the relative

Original Article
roughness (e /Dh) of 0.027 and the flow of air corresponds to the Re between 3000 and 14000. The arc angle of the
roughness geometry varies between 300 and 750. The results of the heat transfer were compared with those of the
smooth ducts under similar flow conditions and thermal limits to determine the thermal efficiency of the solar air
heater. The convection heat transfer coefficient and the Nu increase with increasing Re for a unique Double arc reverse
shaped rib roughness. The increase in Nu is 1.26 to 2.478 & the f is 1.40 to 1.74 times compared to the smooth plate
respectively. Roughness also increases the value of the friction factor, but the increase in its value is small compared to
the increase in the heat transfer coefficient. The maximum improvement in the Nu is 2.478 for the pitch of 10 mm, the
arc angle of 750 for the Re 14,000 in comparison with the smooth plate. Thermo hydraulic yields show a first increasing
variation, and then decrease with respect to the increase in the Re. The maximum improvement in thermo hydraulic
performance is observed with the Re 7000, pitch of 10 mm and the arc angle of 750 with respect to the smooth plate,
after which it begins to decrease with the increase in the Re.

KEYWORDS: Double arc Reverses Shaped Roughness, Pressure Drop, Solar Air Heater & Thermo Hydraulic
Performance

Received: Oct 07, 2018; Accepted: Oct 27, 2018; Published: Dec 06, 2018; Paper Id.: IJMPERDDEC201867

NOMENCLATURE

Ac Surface area of absorber plate, (m2) Nu Nusselt number

Ao Area of orifice meter, (m2) p Pitch (m)
Cd Coefficient of discharge p/e Relative roughness pitch
Cp Specific heat of air (KJ/kg K) (∆P)o Pressure drop of orifice plate ( Pa)
Dh Hydraulic diameter of air passage (∆P)d Pressure drop of duct (Pa)
e Rib height, (mm) Qa Useful heat gain (W)
e/Dh Relative roughness height Re Reynolds number

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644 Yogesh Agrawal & J. L. Bhagoria

f Friction factor Ta Atmospheric air temperature (oC)

H Height of air channel (m) Tfav Average fluid flow temperature (oC)
h Heat transfer convective coeff (W/m2 K) Ti Inlet fluid temperature (oC)
∆h Difference of height on Manometer fluid (mm) To Outlet fluid temperature (oC)
I Heat Flux (W/m2) Tp Average plate temperature (oC)
k Thermal conductivity of air, (W/m-K) V Velocity of air, m/s
L Length of test section in duct (m) W Width of air duct, m
m Mass flow rate of air (kg/s) W/H Width to height of duct ratio
Greek Symbols
α Arc angle (0)
β Ratio of orifice diameter to pipe diameter
η Thermal Efficiency
ρ Density of air (kg/m3)
ρm Density of Manometric fluid (kg/m3)
ν Kinematic viscosity of air (m2/s)
Subscripts
a Ambient
f Fluid Flow
i Inlet
o Outlet
s Smooth channel

1. INTRODUCTION

Due to population growth and industrial development, the demand for energy is increasing day by day.
The availability of solar energy and its ecological nature are two characteristics that make solar energy the most favourable
among alternative energy sources. Solar energy is the light and radiant heat of the sun that impacts the Earth's atmosphere
and climate and is compatible with life. It is considered a great source of energy that is freely available without leaving any
effect on the environment. For solar energy as an access point for renewable energies, look at solar or photovoltaic energy
upwards. Sun-based advances are largely delineated as passive solar energy or active solar energy, depending on the
method captured, changed and disseminated by solar energy. Most strategies based on active sunlight integrate the use of
panels with electrical phenomena and authorizations of solar heat to equip energy. Inactive solar procedures incorporate
the composition of a building to the sun, selecting materials with ideal diffusion or heat dispersion properties, and
describing the spaces where air generally circulates. Solar energy is used to heat with the help of a solar collector.
Solar air heaters, for its simplicity and low cost. As the air passes over the absorbent plate, it produces a laminar and
turbulent surface on the surface, due to the formation of a lower laminar layer that reduces the rate of heat transfer because
it acts as a resistance to flow thermal. To overcome this phenomenon and improve heat transfer, we create an artificial
roughness on the bottom of the absorbent plate. The artificial roughness breaks the laminar sub layer and creates
turbulence that causes an increase in the rate of heat transfer. In the research area of solar air heater, many researchers have
proposed various artificial roughness geometries for the enhancement of heat transfer rate. In the literature given in this

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An Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer and Friction 645
Factor in Solar Air Heater Duct Using Double ARC Reverse
Shaped RIB Roughness on Absorber Plate
paper, various designs suggested by researchers are discussed. [1-3]

Prasad and Mullick [4] experimentally investigated the effect of a small diameter wire attached to the underside of
the absorbent plate as an artificial roughness. Prasad et al. [5] studied the fundamental of the roughened absorber plate by
attaching small diameter wires in the transverse position. They take rib roughness pitch 10 – 20, relative roughness height,
e/Dh 0.02 – 0.033. Han and Park [6] carried out experimental studies using inclined ribs in elongated form factor tubes that
show a considerable increase in the improvement of heat transfer. Experimental research by Gupta et al. [7] reported that
the Stanton number initially increased to a Reynolds number of 12,000, then decreased to further increase the Reynolds
number by providing a transverse wire such as artificial roughness in the absorbent plate in the solar air heater. Saini and
Saini [8] applied the artificial roughness in the form of circular wires and expanded metal, respectively, in the form of
artificial roughness on the inner surface of the absorbent plate of the solar air heaters. Karwa et al.[9] proposed the use of
integrative chamfered ribs to improve the Stanton number and the friction factor up to approximately twice and three
times, respectively, for 150 chamfer angles. Verma et al. [10] performed an outdoor experiment on circular ribs taking the
Reynolds number, Re 5000 - 20,000, the relative pitch, p was 10 to 40 and the relative roughness height p/e from 0.01 to
0.038. Karwa et al. [11] conducted an experimental study using chamfered ribs. The presence of chamfered ribs leads to an
increase of 2 times the number of Stanton and 3 times the friction factor. The highest happened for the 15º chamfer. With
the increase in the aspect ratio, W / H from 4.65 to 7.75, the roughness function decreased. Momin et al. [12] conducted an
experimental study using the V-shaped rib as a roughness parameter. Reynolds number value, Re was 2500-18000 with a
relative roughness pitch, p/e of 20 mm. Bhagoria [13] has been Experimentally studied with wedge shaped transverse
integral ribs, the effect of relative roughness pitch (p/e) relative roughness height (e/Dh) and wedge angle (ɸ) on the heat
transfer coefficient and the friction factor in solar air heater rectangular duct. Sahu et al. [14] experimentally investigated
the effect of 900 broken transverse ribs for improving hydraulic performance of solar air heater by taking roughness height,
e as 1.5 mm, aspect ratio of 8 and range of Reynolds number was between 3000-12000. Karmare et al.[15] conducted an
experimental study by taking grid of metal ribs of circular cross section as roughness elements. Relative roughness height,
e/Dh of 0.035 – 0.044, having relative roughness pitch, p/e of 12.5 – 36 and range of Reynolds number, Re was 4000 –
17000. Aharwal et al. [16] experimentally investigated the effect of width and position of gap in inclined split ribs having
square cross sections on heat transfer and friction characteristics of rectangular solar air heater duct. Kumar et al. [17]
experimentally studied heat transfer characteristic by taking discrete W – shaped rib as roughness element. Range of
Reynolds number, Re was between 3000 – 15000 having relative roughness height, e/Dh 0.0168 – 0.0337 and angle of
attack, α of 30º - 75º. Hans et al. [18] reported that the inclination and orientations of ribs with the flow direction also
affects the heat transfer and friction through the roughened duct. The use of multiple V-shape ribs results the formation of
secondary flow and hence the more turbulence; leading to high heat transfer. Sethi et al. [19] examined dimple shaped
roughness. The range of parameters was investigated and covered by duct aspect ratio (W/H) 11, relative angle of attack
47-750, Reynolds number (Re) from 3600-18,000, relative roughness height (e/Dh) as 0.021-0.036. Yadav et al. [20].
Numerically investigated of turbulent flows through a solar air heater roughened with semicircular sectioned transverse rib
roughness. The thermo hydraulic performance parameter is found to be the maximum of the relative roughness height of
0.042. Singh et al. [21] Conducted experiment by using multiple arc shaped ribs as roughness on the absorber plate. He
used relative roughness pitch, p/e of 4-16, relative roughness height, e/Dh of 0.018-0.045 and Reynolds number, Re varied
between 2200-22000. Lanjewar et al. [22] experimentally investigated for the friction characteristics and heat transfer
coefficient with different orientation of double arc rib roughness to enhance the thermo-hydraulic performance of the solar

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646 Yogesh Agrawal & J. L. Bhagoria

air heater. Maithani et al. [23] performed experimental study for finding the effect of symmetrical multiple gaps in V –
shaped ribs. Angle of attack, α was 30º - 75º, relative rib pitch varied from 6 – 12. Hans et al. [24] experimentally studied
correlation on heat transfer and friction factor for solar air heater by taking a broken arc rib as a roughness parameter on
the absorber plate. Mohit kumar et.al. [25] Experimentally examined C type multiple shaped roughness. Correlations were
developed for Nusselt number, friction factor, Stanton number and Thermo hydraulic performance parameter to increase
the usefulness of the result.

2. EXPEIMENTAL SET UP

To determine the performance of the rectangular duct by using the artificial roughness of double arc reverse shape
continuous rib, we obtained data like heat transfer coefficient, friction factor and thermal efficiency by using an
experimental set up. Using experimental data, we compared the performance of a rectangular duct with a smooth plate and
a continuous double-arc reverse shaped with different arc angles. In general, we try to increase the coefficient of heat
transfer and the thermo hydraulic performance of rectangular ducts with a higher thermal efficiency.

An experimental facility was designed and manufactured to study the effect of double-arc reverse ribs on the
characteristics of heat transfer and fluid flow in a rectangular duct for a range of parameters chosen according to the
practical considerations of the system and the operating conditions. The experimental test section comprises a wooden
channel comprising five sections, namely a smooth inlet section, a roughened inlet section, a test section, an outlet section
or a mixing section. A G.I. sheet of 20 SWG (standard wire gauge) of 0.3 m2 size has been used as an absorber plate and
lower surface of the plate has been provided with artificial roughness in form of Reverse shaped copper wires. An electric
heater of dimensions identical to that of absorber plate has been used to provide uniform heat flux to the absorber plate up
to maximum of 1500W/m2. Power supply to heater has been provided through variable transformer. Transformer enables
heat flux applied to the absorber plate to be varied as desired. Schematic diagram of the experimental set up and view of
plate with the roughness geometry of Double arc reverse shaped ribs are shown in Figure 1. Double arc reverse-shaped
roughness elements were fixed below the absorber plate and fast drying epoxy has been applied for gluing roughness
elements. Values of system and operating parameters of this investigation are listed in Table. Relative roughness pitch
(p/e) value has been selected as 8.33, based on optimum value of this parameter reported in literature. The dimensions used
for te flow section of experimental set up are shown below in Fig.1. In the cross section view with rough plate.

Figure 1: Cross Section View of Flow Section

The duct is made of wooden panels of size 25 mm thickness having dimension of the inner cross section is 2042
mm * 200 mm * 20 mm as shown above in the figure. The test section is 1500 mm long and entry and exit section or
mixing section is 192 mm and 350 mm long respectively. In terms of equivalent diameter of air passage (Dh):

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An Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer and Friction 647
Factor in Solar Air Heater Duct Using Double ARC Reverse
Shaped RIB Roughness on Absorber Plate
• Entry section= 7.2 Dh

• Test section= 33.75 Dh

• Exit section or mixing section= 12 Dh

The entry section is from where the air enters with atmospheric temperature, test section where the experimental
test performs on the rough plate having Double arc reverse shape roughness ribs and exit section to take output
temperature. Entry section is provided to measure air inlet temperature and so that flow can be converted into fully
developed flow. The position of rough plate on the duct is shown in Fig.1. The pressure drop across the orifice is measured
using U-tube Manometer and mass flow rate is calculated. The air flow rate is controlled by using a flow control valve
provided with the pipe. As per the recommendation of Preobrazensky the diameter of orifice plate is designed for the flow
measurement inside the pipe is taken as 53 mm, the orifice plate is arranged between the flanges to align it concentric with
the pipe as shown in Figure 2 of experimental setup. The calibrated thermocouple wires of copper-constantan is used to
measure the temperature difference of air and heated plate in the form of electromagnetic force generated by sea back
effect. Being indoor type experimental setup, the artificial solar radiations are generated on the absorber plate, an electric
heater of size 1650 mm * 216 mm was fabricated by arranging heating wires in series and parallel loops on 5 mm asbestos
sheet. A mica sheet of 1 mm thickness is provided in between the absorbing plate and heater which acts as an insulator.
Heat flux may be varied from 0 to 1500 W/m2 by using variac. The entire duct is covered with 12 mm thick plywood to
insulate the whole assembly.

Figure 2: Schematic Diagram of Experimental Setup

The experimental Data is collected by using different instruments for different angle of attack of the roughness
geometry of the absorbing plate shown in Figure 3. The air flow rate changes by using control valve and the data obtained
of the roughened plate is compared with the smooth plate. This experimental data has been used to determine the heat
transfer coefficient, friction factor, Nusselt number and thermal efficiency.

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648 Yogesh Agrawal & J. L. Bhagoria

Figure 3: Artificial Roughness (Double arc Reverse Shaped) of

Pitch 10mm and at Different Angles

3. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Firstly the components and instruments are connected properly with the experimental set up for proper operation;
the blower is then switched on after checking all the connections. Every joint has to be checked and made leak proof to
eliminate errors. The adjustments of air flow are done through the control valve after making the micrometer and U-tube
manometer levelled. Experimental data are collected to calculate the heat transfer coefficient and friction factor. The first
reading of the data is to be noticed only after reaching the steady conditions.

Each change in the rate of flow of air the system should attain a steady state before the data were recorded. The
system takes approximate 40-45 minutes to attain a Quasi-steady state on every operating condition change. The
temperature of the flowing air through the duct was maintained greater than 100C to obtain the accurate results since the
accuracy of heat transfer coefficient calculation is affected by the temperature measurement. The temperature difference
between the heated plate and bulk air temperature has been kept more than 200C. When quasi-static condition is reached,
current and voltage of the heater assembly by using an ammeter and voltmeter, inlet, outlet and plate temperature by using
U-tube manometer and pressure drop across the duct by using micro manometer have been recorded. For the different arc
angle of artificial roughness the mass flow rate of air is calculated. The Reynolds number range is varied in between 3000
to 14000.

The parameters measured during the experiments were inlet air temperature, outlet air temperature and plate
temperature by using digital multimeter and thermocouple wires, pressure drop across the duct by using micro manometer
and pressure drop across the orifice plate by using U-tube manometer. There is only one thermocouple wire for measuring
inlet air temperature, whereas five thermocouple wires place at the outlet sections to measure outlet temperature and six
thermocouple wires place at the outlet sections to measure plate temperature.

4. ROUGHNESS PARAMETERS
4.1 Parametric Range

Table 4.1: Parametric Range

Parameters Range/Values
Reynolds Number, Re 3000-14000
Relative Roughness, p/e 8.33
Relative roughness height, e/Dh 0.027
Angle of attack (α) 300,450,600,750

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An Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer and Friction 649
Factor in Solar Air Heater Duct Using Double ARC Reverse
Shaped RIB Roughness on Absorber Plate
Aspect ratio of duct, W/H 8
Hydraulic diameter, Dh (mm) 44.44
Roughness pitch, p (mm) 10
Roughness height, e (mm) 1.2
Insolation, I (W/m2 ) 950-970

4.2 Data Reduction

The experimental data, such as air and plate temperatures at various locations in the duct was recorded under
quasi-steady state conditions at different mass flow rates (Reynolds number) of air. For mass flow measurement pressure
drop across orifice has been measured. This data was used to calculate heat transfer rate of air flowing in the duct. The
following equations are used to calculate the Mean air and plate temperature (TFav, TPavg), Pressure drop across the orifice,
∆Po mass flow rate ‘m’, velocity measurement, V, Reynolds number, Re, Heat transfer rate, Qa, Nusselt number, Nu,
Friction factor, f, Thermal efficiency, Ƞth, Heat transfer coefficient and Thermal Hydraulic Performance, THP.

4.2.1 Mean Air and Plate Temperature

The average flow temperature is the arithmetic mean of temperature measured at the inlet and exit of the test
section. Thermocouple wires are arranged at equidistance on the entire length of the plate, therefore it is the average
reading of six points located at the distance 214 mm on the plate.

TFav = (Ti+TPaav)/2 (1)

TPavg = (T1+T2+T3+T4+T5+T6)/6 (2)

4.2.2 Pressure Drop Calculation

Across the orifice plate, pressure drop is calculated by the following equations:

∆Po = ∆h x 9.81 x ρm (3)

Here ∆Po = Difference in Pressure, Pa

ρm = Density of manometric fluid, kg/m3

∆h = Difference of mercury level inside U-tube manometer, m

4.2.3 Mass Flow Calculations

Mass flow rate of air has been calculated from pressure drop measurement across the orifice plate by using the
following equations:

m = Cd x Ao x [2ρ∆Po/(1-β4)]0.5 (4)

Here m = mass flow rate of air, kg/s

Cd = Coefficient of discharge of orifice i.e. 0.62

Ao = Area of orifice plate, 1.288 x 10-3, m2

ρa = Density of air, kg/m3

β = Dia ratio i.e. 40.5 / 81 = 0.5

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650 Yogesh Agrawal & J. L. Bhagoria

4.2.4 Velocity Measurement

V = m/ ρaWH (5)

Here m = mass flow rate, kg/s

ρa = Density of air i.e. 1.1415, kg/m3

H = Height of duct, 0.025, m

W = Width of the duct, 0.2, m

4.2.5 Reynolds Number

For flow of the air inside the duct, Reynolds number is calculated by:

Re = ρvDh/µ (6)

Where µ = Dynamic viscosity, kg-m/s

Dh = Hydraulic dia = 4WH / (W+H), m

4.2.6 Equivalent Diameter

Dh = 4* Area of cross-section/wetted perimeter

Dh = 4* A/P= 4WH/ 2(W+H)

4.2.7 Heat Transfer Rate

The Heat transfer rate is calculated by:

Qa=mcp(To–Ti), KJ (7)

and for the heated test section, heat transfer rate is given by

Qa = hAp(Tpav–Tfav), KJ (8)

4.2.8 Nusselt Number

The heat transfer coefficient has been used to determine the Nusselt number and is defined as

Nu = hD/k (9)

Where k is the thermal conductivity of the air at mean plate temperature and Dh is the hydraulic diameter, m

4.2.9 Friction Factor

Friction factor is calculated by:

f=(2∆PdDh/4ρLV2 ) (10)

Where (∆P)d= Pressure drop in N/m2 for 1.36 m length

4.3.0 Thermal Efficiency

The thermal efficiency is calculated by

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Factor in Solar Air Heater Duct Using Double ARC Reverse
Shaped RIB Roughness on Absorber Plate
Ƞth= m x cp x ∆T/I x AP (11)

Where I is the heat flux or Insolation, W/m2

AP is the absorber plate area, m2

4.3.1 Convective Heat Transfer Coefficient

h= Qa/Ap (Tpm-Tfm) (12)

Where,

Qa = Heat gained by air, Watt

Ap= Area of absorber plate, m2

Tpm= Mean Temperature of plate, °C

Tfm= Mean Temperature of fluid flowing, °C

4.3.2 Thermo-Hydraulic Performance

THP= (Nu/Nus)/(f/fs)1/3 (13)

Where,

Nur = Nusselt no. of roughened plate

Nus = Nusselt no. of smooth plate

f & fs are the corresponding value of friction factor

5. VALIDATION OF EXPERIMENTAL DATA

Before collecting the actual data, the validation of test setup was done by conducting experiments for a smooth
duct. The friction factor and Nusselt number values from these experimental data were compared with the theoretical
values obtained from the Dittus Boelter equation for the nusselt number and modified Blasius equation for the friction
factor.

The Dittus and Boelter Equation to obtain the Nusselt number for a smooth rectangular duct is given below:

Nu = 0.024 Re0.8 Pr0.4

The Modified Blasius Equation to obtain friction factor for a smooth rectangular duct is given below:

f = 0.085 Re-0.25

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652 Yogesh Agrawal & J.
J L. Bhagoria

Figure 4: Comparison of Experimental and Formulated

Value of Nusselt Number vs Reynolds
Number for Smooth Plate

Figure
ure 5: Comparison of Experimental and Formulated
Value of Friction Factor vs Reynolds
No. for Smooth Plate

Figure 6: Nusselt No. vs Reynolds No. for Roughness Plate 1

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An Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer and Friction 653
Factor in Solar Air Heater Duct Using Double ARC Reverse
Shaped RIB Roughness on Absorber Plate

Figure 7: Friction Factor vs Reynolds No. for Roughness Plate 1

Figure 8: Thermal Efficiency vs Reynolds No. for Roughness Plate 1

Figure 9: Nusselt
Nu Number Vs Reyonlds No. for Roughness Plate 2

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654 Yogesh Agrawal & J.
J L. Bhagoria

Figure 10: Friction Factor vs Reynolds No. for Roughness Plate 2

Figure 11: Thermal Efficiency vs Reynolds No. for

Roughness Plate 2

Figure 12: Nusselt Number vs Reyonlds No. for

Roughness Plate 3

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An Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer and Friction 655
Factor in Solar Air Heater Duct Using Double ARC Reverse
Shaped RIB Roughness on Absorber Plate

Figure 13: Friction Factor vs Reynolds No. for

Roughness Plate 3

Figure 14: Thermal Efficiency vs Reynolds No. for

Roughness Plate 3

Figure 15: Nusselt no. vs Reynolds No. for

Roughness Plate 4

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656 Yogesh Agrawal & J.
J L. Bhagoria

Figure 16: Friction Factor vs Reynolds No. for

Roughness Plate 4

Figure 17: Thermal Efficiency vs Reynolds No. for

Roughness Plate 4

Figure 18: Comparison of Heat Transfer Coefficient vs Reynolds

ynolds no. for
Different Roughness Plates Having
Pitch 10mm with Smooth Plate

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An Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer and Friction 657
Factor in Solar Air Heater Duct Using Double ARC Reverse
Shaped RIB Roughness on Absorber Plate

Figure 19:
19 Comparison of Nusselt No. vs Reynolds No. for
Different Roughness Plates Having Pitch
10mm with Smooth Plate

Figure 20: Comparison of Thermal Efficiency vs Reynolds No. for

Different Roughness Plates Having
Pitch 10mm with Smooth Plate

Figure
ure 21: Graph Showing THP Vs Re for Different
Roughness Plates Having 10mm Pitch

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658 Yogesh Agrawal & J. L. Bhagoria

6. RESULT & DISCUSSIONS

In this research based on experiments, the influence of different roughness parameters and various flow
arrangements for the heat transfer for the air flow in the rectangular duct is analysed. The results with respect to the
different roughness parameters are compared to the maintenance flow conditions of smooth duct similar to those of the
improvement of the heat transfer coefficient, the increase of the Nusselt number and the friction factor.

The experimental data showing the increase in the heat transfer coefficient with the increase in the value of the
Reynolds number give us a graph that is shown in Figure 18.

The increase in the value of the Nusselt number with an increase in the Reynolds number. The value of the
Nusselt number shows an increase of 1.26 to 2.478 times compared to the Nusselt number of smooth plate. The Reynolds
number varies between 3000 and 14000, the highest value of the Nusselt number is 2,478 times observed in the Reynolds
number 14000 with a roughness pitch of 10 mm and an arc angle of 75 °.

The thickness of the boundary layer decreases with increasing Reynolds number, which increases convective heat
transfer between the absorbent plate and the air by decreasing the convective resistance that produces an increase in the
number of Nusselt. The graph between the Nusselt number and the Reynolds number is shown in Figure 19 for the rough
and smooth plate.

The increase in thermal efficiency with the increase in the Reynolds number is carried out at a very fast rate
initially and then at a decreasing rate. The graph showing the change in thermal efficiency with the increase in the
Reynolds number is represented in Figure 20.

Thermo hydraulics is the study of hydraulic flow in thermal systems. As we increase the Reynolds number, the
Thermo-Hydraulic Performance (THP) shows an increase up to the value of the Reynolds number 7000, after THP starts to
decrease slightly with the increase of the Reynolds number.

This change is observed due to the relative effect of the variation in the heat transfer coefficient and the friction
factor. The minimum value of the thermo hydraulic performance is observed in Reynolds number 3000, the pitch of the
roughness element 10 mm and the angle of the arc 300, while the maximum value of the thermohydraulic efficiency is
observed in Reynolds number 7000, the pitch of the roughness element 10 mm and the arc of the angle 300, after THP
starts to decrease shown in Figure 21.

The thermo hydraulic performance parameter is also known as an efficiency parameter. After all the comparison
of the different double arc reverse shape roughness plates with the smooth plate, we find that the thermo hydraulic
performance of the double arc reverse shaped roughness geometry is better and can be used for efficient heat transfer.

6. CONCLUSIONS

Following conclusion has been drawn:

• Convective heat transfer coefficient and Nusselt number increases with the increase in Reynolds number for
Double arc reverse shape roughness. The increase in Nusselt number is 1.26 to 2.478 times as compared to
smooth plate

• Roughness also increases the friction factor value, but increment in its value is small as compared to increase in

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Factor in Solar Air Heater Duct Using Double ARC Reverse
Shaped RIB Roughness on Absorber Plate
heat transfer coefficient. The increase in friction factor is 1.40 to 1.74 times as compared to smooth plate.

• Thermo-hydraulic performance shows variation first increasing and then decreasing with respect to increase in the
Reynolds number.

• The maximum enhancement in the Nusselt number is found to be 2.478 for pitch 10 mm, arc, angle 750 with
Reynolds number 14000 as compared to smooth plate.

• The maximum increase in friction factor is noticed as 1.74 times for pitch 10 mm, arc, angle 750 with Reynolds
number 14000 as compared to smooth plate.

• The maximum improvement in Thermo-hydraulic performance is observed at Reynolds number 7000, the pitch of
roughness element 10mm and arc angle 750 in comparison to the smooth plate after that it starts deceasing with an
increase in Reynolds number.

• It is observed that there is variation of heat transfer coefficient with the Reynolds number and arc angle both. As
the Reynolds number is increased at a constant arc angle, heat transfer coefficient value increases.

• Heat transfer coefficient shows an increase with increase in arc angle at constant Reynolds number, but this
increment may or may not be continuous.

• Thermal efficiency also shows the variation with arc angle and Reynolds number. As the Reynolds number
increases, continuous increment in thermal efficiency is noticed and similar effect is observed with arc angle but
the increment is small.

• The maximum value of Thermal efficiency is observed for the roughness plate having 10 mm pitch, arc, angle 600
having a Reynolds number as 14000.

REFERENCES

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