Numerical and experimental visualization of reverse flow in an inclined isothermal tube

Combined forced and free convection in the entrance region of tubes occurs in many engineering installations such as heat exchangers, nuclear reactors, solar collectors, etc. The secondary flow induced by the buoyancy force and its effects on the hydrodynamic and thermal fields have therefore been investigated both experimentally and numerically. The present study considers the three dimensional developing laminar flow of water with constant viscosity and conductivity in an isothermal pipe inclined of 60° from horizontal. At first, the elliptical partial differential equations modelling mixed convection, have been numerically solved using a control volume based finite difference solver for Re = 90, Pr = 7 and Gr = 3.3 × 105. The axial evolution of the velocity and fluid temperature profiles has shown that the upstream diffusion has an important effect near the inlet of the heating region. The shape and size of the region with negative velocities are detailed. Secondly, an experimental set up is described. The techniques used are based on PIV technology employing micrometer Nylon particles placed in a laser light-sheet and results are recorded by using a CDD camera. Analysed pictures have confirmed the existence of the reverse flow region in accordance with numerical results as obtained for an inclination of 60°.