Measurements of heat transfer enhanced by the use of transverse vortex generators

In the presented research, a three-fold approach was made to study the air flow in the wind tunnel featuring transverse and inclined vortex generators. In the accomplished experiments, the Reynolds number was varied from 9000 to 35,500. The aspect ratio of the rectangular channel was equal to 6.37 and pitch-to-height-ratio of the ribs was equal to 11. Two experimental techniques were employed in the research. Firstly, the steady-state liquid crystal technique was used to determine the distribution of surface temperature and subsequent evaluation of heat transfer coefficient. Secondly, the PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) method was employed to study the flow pattern produced by transverse vortex generators, visualized using a planar beam of double-impulse laser tailored by a cylindrical lens and oil particles. Apart from the heat transfer data, the pressure drop was also measured.