Flow structure in circular tubes with segmental baffles

Al-Atabi, M., Chin, S.B. and Luo, X.Y. (2005) Flow structure in circular tubes with segmental baffles. Journal of Flow Visualization and Image Processing, 12(3), pp. 301-311. (doi: 10.1615/JFlowVisImageProc.v12.i3.60)

Abstract

The flow structure in a circular uniform-diameter tube with segmental baffles is experimentally investigated over the range of Reynolds numbers from 50 to 5000, using flow visualization and pressure drop measurement. Three baffle clearance ratios (<i>c/D</i> = 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7) are studied. The results revealed that the presence of the baffles triggers transition to turbulence at a much lower Reynolds number compared to that for the straight circular tube. The flow in the baffle section of tube with <i>c/D</i> = 0.3 appears turbulent at the Reynolds number of 250. Friction factor of the tubes with baffles decreases with increasing Reynolds number but it is always larger than that for a laminar flow in a tube without baffles

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Luo, Professor Xiaoyu
• Authors: Al-Atabi, M., Chin, S.B., and Luo, X.Y.
• Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics; Q Science > QC Physics
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Mathematics and Statistics > Mathematics
• Journal Name: Journal of Flow Visualization and Image Processing
• ISSN: 1065-3090
• ISSN (Online): 1940-4336