Turbulent Transport in Pin Fin Arrays: Experimental Data and Predictions

The objective of this research has been to experimentally investigate the fluid dynamics of pin fin arrays in order to clarify the physics of heat transfer enhancement and uncover problems in conventional turbulence models. The fluid dynamics of a staggered pin fin array has been studied using hot wire anemometry with both single- and x-wire probes at array Reynolds numbers of 3000, 10,000, and 30,000. Velocity distributions off the endwall and pin surface have been acquired and analyzed to investigate turbulent transport in pin fin arrays. Well resolved 3D calculations have been performed using a commercial code with conventional two-equation turbulence models. Predictive comparisons have been made with fluid dynamic data. In early rows where turbulence is low, the strength of shedding increases dramatically with increasing Reynolds numbers. The laminar velocity profiles off the surface of pins show evidence of unsteady separation in early rows. In row three and beyond, laminar boundary layers off pins are quite similar. Velocity profiles off endwalls are strongly affected by the proximity of pins and turbulent transport. At the low Reynolds numbers, the turbulent transport and acceleration keep boundary layers thin. Endwall boundary layers at higher Reynolds numbers exhibit very high levels of skin friction enhancement. Well-resolved 3D steady calculations were made with several two-equation turbulence models and compared with experimental fluid mechanic and heat transfer data. The quality of the predictive comparison was substantially affected by the turbulence model and near-wall methodology.

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