Heat Transfer in Separated, Reattached, and Redevelopment Regions Behind a Double Step at Entrance to a Flat Duct

Abstract

Experimental data are presented for local heat transfer rates near the entrance to a flat duct in which there is an abrupt symmetrical enlargement in flow cross section. Two enlargement area ratios are considered, and Reynolds numbers, based on duct hydraulic diameter, varied from 70,000 to 205,000. It is found that such a flow is characterized by a long stall on one side and a short stall on the other. Maximum heat transfer occurs in both cases at the point of reattachment, followed by a decay toward the values for fully developed duct flow. Empirical equations are given for the Nusselt number at the reattachment point, correlated as functions of duct Reynolds number and enlargement ratio.