Abstract

The effect surface roughness on pressure drop and heat transfer in circular tubes has been extensively studied in literature. The pioneering work of Nikuradse (1933) established the sand grain roughness as a major parameter in defining the friction factor during laminar and turbulent flows. Recent studies have indicated a transition to turbulent flows at Reynolds number values much below 2300 during single-phase flow in channels with small hydraulic diameters. In the present work, a detailed experimental study is undertaken to investigate the roughness effects in small diameter tubes. The roughness of the inside tube surface is changed by acid treatment. Two tubes of 1.067 mm and 0.62 mm inner diameter are treated with acid solutions to provide three different roughness values for each tube. The Reynolds number ranges for the tests are 500-2600 for 1.062mm tube and 900-3000 for 0.62mm tube. The results indicated no significant effect of surface roughness on 1.067mm tube for both pressure drop and heat transfer tests. In case of 0.62mm tube it was seen that with reduction in relative surface roughness values, both Nusselt number and pressure drop values reduced. Smoother tube produced lower values of Nusselt number and pressure drop than rougher tube.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Heat--Transmission; Tubes--Fluid dynamics; Surface roughness; Turbulence; Laminar flow

Publication Date

8-1-2001

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

Mechanical Engineering (KGCOE)

Advisor

Kandlikar, Satish

Advisor/Committee Member

Ogut, Ali

Advisor/Committee Member

Venkataraman, P.

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: TJ263 .J674 2001

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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