STUDY AND ANALYSIS OF THE DYNAMIC THERMAL-ENERGY BEHAVIOR OF A FLAT PLATE CONVERTER SYSTEM

In this paper, air flow through a two-dimensional horizontal rectangular cross-section channel in the presence of a Z-shaped baffle pair has been numerically examined and analyzed in the steady turbulent regime. The calculations are based on the finite volume approach, and the average Navier-Stokes equations along with the energy equation have been solved using the SIMPLE algorithm. The nonuniform structured quadrilateral-type element mesh is used for the investigated whole domain. The fluid flow patterns are presented for Reynolds numbers based on the hydraulic diameter of the channel ranging from 5000 to 20,000. Effects of various Reynolds number values on flow fields, dimensionless axial velocity profiles, as well as local and average friction coefficients in the test channel are presented. The obtained results show that the flow structure is characterized by strong deformations and large recirculation regions, and in general, the fluid velocity and skin friction loss rise with the increase in the flow rate in terms of Reynolds numbers.