Effect of skewness on flow and heat transfer characteristics of a wavy channel

Three-dimensional numerical investigations have been carried out to study effect of skewness in wavy channels on flow and heat transfer characteristics. Computations are performed using ANSYS Fluent 16.1 for different values of wave amplitude, skewness angle, Reynolds number (Re) and fixed values of channel width, wavelength. Streamline plots are presented in various planes for different values of skewness angle to understand the flow field characteristics of skewed wavy channels. Volume-averaged as well as span-averaged variation of secondary flow intensity for different skewness angles have been shown to elucidate the strength of induced secondary flow. Effect of secondary flow on heat transfer in skewed wavy channels has been quantified with the help of field synergy angle. Finally, effect of skewness on thermodynamic as well as overall thermo-hydraulic performance of the channel has been presented. Introduction of skewness in the wavy channel induces stronger secondary flow which makes the flow three-dimensional. The stronger secondary flow influences both thermodynamic as well as overall thermo-hydraulic performance of the channel.