Three-Dimensional Forced Convection Flow Adjacent to Backward-Facing Step

Abstract

Numerical simulations of three-dimensional laminar forced convection flow adjacent to a backward-facing step in a duct are presented for the case where the duct's aspect ratio is eight (AR = 8), its expansion ratio is two (ER = 2), and the step height S is 1.00 cm. This relatively small aspect ratio duct was selected to increase the significance of the three-dimensional flow on the heat transfer downstream from the step. The flow upstream of the step is treated as fully developed and isothermal. The duct walls are treated as adiabatic surfaces with the exception of the stepped wall that is downstream from the step that is treated as being heated with uniform heat flux. Complex three-dimensional flow develops downstreamfrom the step with a primary recirculation flow region and a reattachment length that has a minimumin its spanwise distribution near the sidewall. A spanwise swirling flow (vortex) develops inside the primary recirculation flow region and a reverse flow region develops near the sidewall. These three-dimensional features increase in size with increasing Reynolds number. The jetlike flow that develops near the sidewall within the separating shear layer impinges on the stepped wall causing a minimum to develop in the reattachment length and a maximumto develop in the Nusselt number near the sidewall. The distributions of the three velocity components, reattachment length, friction coeficient, and Nusselt number are presented and discussed.

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

Backward-Facing Step; Convection Flow; Numerical Simulations

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0887-8722

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2002 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Apr 2002

Link to Full Text

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