Heat Mass Transfer (2015) 51:11891201

DOI 10.1007/s00231-014-1489-8

ORIGINAL

Experimental investigation oflaminar flow ofviscous oil

througha circular tube having integral axial corrugation
roughness andfitted withtwisted tapes withoblique teeth
SagnikPal SujoyKumarSaha

Received: 18 March 2014 / Accepted: 29 December 2014 / Published online: 11 January 2015
Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015

Abstract The experimental friction factor and Nusselt hz Axially local heat transfer coefficient (W/m2K)
number data for laminar flow of viscous oil through a cir- k Fluid thermal conductivity (W/mK)
cular duct having integral axial corrugation roughness and L Axial length, length of the duct (m)
fitted with twisted tapes with oblique teeth have been pre- m Mass flow rate (kg/min) L
sented. Predictive friction factor and Nusselt number cor- Num Axially averaged Nusselt number= L1 hz Ddz k ,
relations have also been presented. The thermohydraulic dimensionless 0
performance has been evaluated. The major findings of this Pz Pressure drop (mm)
experimental investigation are that the twisted tapes with P Pressure drop (N/m2)
oblique teeth in combination with integral axial corruga- P Wetted perimeter in the particular cross-section
tion roughness perform significantly better than the indi- of the duct, corrugation pitch (P/e), dimensionless
vidual enhancement technique acting alone for laminar flow Pr Fluid Prandtl number=Cp /k, dimensionless
through a circular duct up to a certain value of fin parameter. Ra Rayleigh number =Gr Pr
Re Reynolds number based on plain duct
List of symbols diameter=(V0 Dh )/, dimensionless
A Heat transfer area (m2) T Temperature (K)
Ac Axial flow cross-sectional area=WD D (m2) Tooth horizontal length (m)
thl
thl
Ao Plain duct flow cross-sectional area=WD (m2) thl = yD Dimensionless
Cp Constant pressure specific heat (J/kgK) Tw Wall to fluid bulk temperature difference (K)
D Internal diameter of the plain duct (m) Va Mean axial velocity =m/Ac (m/s)
e Corrugation height (m) Vo  Mean velocity based on plain duct diameter
f Fully developed Fanning friction =m/A0 (m/s)
  
factor= 21 V

P  D X Prn, the value of n depends on the exponent of
2 z , dimensionless
0
g Gravitational acceleration (m/s2) Pr inthe correlation
0.14
b 1
Y  5.172
Gr Grashof number =g 2 D3 Tw /2, w
dimensionless y Twist ratio =H/D, dimensionless
Gz Graetz number =mCp /kL, dimensionless z Axial length, the distance between the measuring
H Pitch for 180 rotation of twisted-tape (m) pressure taps (m)
Greek symbols
Corrugation helix angle ()
S.Pal S.K.Saha(*) Coefficient of isobaric thermal expansion (K1)
Mechanical Engineering Department, Bengal Engineering
andScience University Shibpur, Howrah711 103, India Tape thickness (m)
e-mail: sujoy_k_saha@hotmail.com Fluid dynamic viscosity (kg/ms)
S.Pal Density of the fluid (kg/m3)
e-mail: sagnikpal81@gmail.com Twisted-tape tooth angle angle ()

13

1190
Subscripts
b At bulk fluid temperature
com Combined axial corrugation and twisted-tape
hl Twisted-tape tooth horizontal length
m Axially averaged
oac, ott Only axial corrugation and only twisted-tape
w At duct wall temperature, with
z Local value
1Introduction
Integral axially corrugated channels used in heat exchang-
ers are typically sinusoidal channels. Figure1 shows the
integral axial corrugation in a circular duct. The effect of
corrugation angle in a corrugated duct was investigated by
a number of investigators, [1, 2]. The corrugation angle
ranged from 0 to 90. Both friction factor and Nusselt
number increase monotonically up to a certain value of the
corrugation angle. Focke and Knibbe [3] have shown that at
corrugation angle 45, the fluid flow is predominantly along
the furrows. Focke etal. [1] suggested similar flow pat-
terns up to corrugation angle 60. The reason for increase
and decrease of the friction factor and Nusselt number is
the positive and negative interaction of criss-crossing fluid
streams inducing secondary swirl motion, change of flow
pattern and accelerating or decelerating effect on them. Sta-
siek etal. [2] investigated the effect of corrugation pitch to
channel height ratio. Abdel-Kariem and Fletcher [4] devel-
oped friction factor and Nusselt number correlations.
For laminar regime,
2.5
0.3
f = 15Re (1)
45
0.67
Nu = 0.777Re0.444 Pr0.4 (2)
45
Twisted tapes as shown in Fig.2 cause the flow to spi-
ral along the tube length. Continuous twisted-tape shown
in Fig.2a has been extensively investigated. Variants of
twisted-tape that have been evaluated include short sections
of twisted tapes at the tube inlet, or periodically spaced
along the tube length. Early works on twisted tapes have
been reported in [5, 6]. Later works have been reported in
[727]. Full-length twisted tapes, short length twisted tapes,
regularly spaced twisted tapes, twisted tapes with and with-
out oblique teeth, twisted tapes with different twists have
been used in the above literature. Figure2b, c show the lay-
out of a circular duct having full-length twisted-tape with
oblique teeth. The details and method of making integral
13
Heat Mass Transfer (2015) 51:11891201
Angle A =
Fig.1Axially corrugated circular duct
spiral corrugation and twisted-tape with oblique teeth have
been described in Sect.2.
Saha and Dutta [7] have observed that, for regularly
spaced twisted-tape elements, thermohydraulic perfor-
mance of twisted tapes with multiple twists in the tape
module is not much different from that with single twist in
the tape module. Twisted tapes with gradually decreasing
pitch perform worse than their uniform-pitch counterparts.
Patil [8] have worked with varying width twisted-tape
inserts for which both friction factor and Nusselt number
are lower than those with full-width twisted tapes. Saha
etal. [9, 10] have introduced regularly spaced twisted-tape
elements which are better than full-length twisted tapes
under certain circumstances. Li etal. [11] have designed
an optimal multi-layer spacer with optimal non-woven
nets in the outer layers and twisted tapes in the middle
layer. Helical screw-tape inserts [12] behave the same way
as the twisted tapes. Twin and triple twisted tapes [13] are
also effective enhancement devices. Dewan etal. [14] have
reviewed the studies on twisted tapes. Hong etal. [15] have
employed evenly spaced twisted tapes in a convergent-
divergent tube. Jagged twisted tapes perform better than the
classical twisted tapes [16].
Sarac etal. [17] have observed better performance with
vortex generators having propeller-type geometry. Jais-
hankar etal. [18] have observed better performance of
twisted tapes with spacer at the trailing edge. Chang etal.
[19] experienced enhanced heat transfer in case of shaker-
bored piston cooling channel with twisted-tape insert.
Cazan and Aidun [20] observed that two co-rotating heli-
cal vortices superimposed over the main swirling flow exist
in twisted-tape generated swirl flow. The close proximity
of the two co-rotating vortices creates a local reversing
flow at the pipe centerline. Helical vortices are generated
by vortices originating inside the twisted tape swirler. The
main rotational flow accelerates the co-rotating vortices
and decelerates the counter-rotating vortices. As a result,
the counter-rotating vortices disappear while the co-rotat-
ing vortices reach the same maximum tangential velocity
Heat Mass Transfer (2015) 51:11891201 1191
Fig. 2a Full-length twisted-
tape (without oblique teeth)
insert inside a duct b full-length
twisted-tape with oblique teeth
c detail A of (b)
0.5 thl*
as the main flow. Thus the tangential velocity near the wall
is approximately doubled by the presence of the second-
ary vortices. Ramakrishna etal. [21] have recently worked
with twisted-tape having spaces in between. Hans etal.
[22] have made a review of various roughness element
geometries employed in solar air heaters for performance
enhancement.
Saha and co-workers [2349] have studied experimen-
tally laminar and turbulent flow through circular, square
and rectangular ducts having twisted tapes with oblique
teeth, axial, spiral and transverse corrugations and ribs, hel-
ical screw-tape and wire coil inserts.
It has been observed from the literature review that the
combined effect of integral axial corrugation roughness and
twisted-tape with oblique teeth has not been studied in the
past. The spiral fluid flow due to integral axial corrugation
roughness coupled with twisted-tape with oblique teeth-
generated swirl flow is likely to give larger swirl intensity
and vortex in the flow. Also there may be enhanced fluid
mixing with increased heat and momentum diffusion. This
(a)
=Tooth
Angle
(b)
0.5*H 0.5*H
0.5 thl*
Detail A
(c)
may increase heat transfer even if it may also give increased
pressure drop. In this paper, therefore, the laminar flow
experimental heat transfer and pressure drop results of
combined effect of integral axial corrugation roughness and
full-length twisted-tape with oblique teeth in circular ducts
are presented. Friction factor and Nusselt number correla-
tions are presented. Also the performance of this combined
geometry is evaluated.
2Experimental setup, operating procedure anddata
reduction
The heat transfer and pressure drop measurements were
taken in a 19mm internal diameter, 20mm outer diameter
and 2m long circular stainless steel duct. Figure3 shows
the self-explanatory experimental rig. The test section was
electrically heated by nichrome heater wire giving uniform
wall heat flux boundary condition. Nichrome heater wire
was having porcelain bead insulation on it. There was no
13

1192
Fig.3Schematic diagram of the experimental rig
direct contact of the Nichrome heater wire with the duct
wall. First, there was fiber glass tape insulation (electrical
but not thermal) on the duct wall. Then the porcelain-bead
covered Nichrome heater wire was wrapped on the duct
wall. Two consecutive turns of the heater wire seated side
by side touching each other. The thermal conductivity of
the duct wall material was high enough and the duct wall
thickness was sufficient to ensure uniform wall heat flux.
Asbestos rope and glass wool insulated the heat transfer
test section after the heater wire. Finally the test section
was covered with jute bag for further thermal insulation.
The material of spiral corrugation roughness for heat
transfer tests was brass. The usual fabrication method
is described well in the literature [2326]. Servotherm
medium oil of Indian Oil Corporation was used as the
working fluid. Wide Prandtl number range (197558) was
achieved by using this oil. Twisted-tape inserts were placed
at the centre of the duct cross-section by SS lugs.
Oil mass flow rate was measured by rotameters. Pressure
drops were measured by vertical mercury manometer. The
local enhancement due to corrugations quickly dissipates
due to boundary layer mixing dissipation downstream of
the corrugations. Hence, rational selection of the corruga-
tion heights and corrugation helix angle requires knowl-
edge of the local heat transfer coefficient. Therefore, heat
transfer test section outer wall temperatures were measured
at seven axial locations (each axial station had four ther-
mocouples ninety degrees apart along the duct periphery)
by copper-constantan thermocouples and digital multim-
eter. Typically, there was only 2.64.2% of maximum wall
temperature variation in peripheral outside wall tempera-
ture measured at four locations in an axial station. Similar
13
Heat Mass Transfer (2015) 51:11891201
results have been observed for all cases irrespective of
Reynolds number and Prandtl number. The peripheral wall
temperature variation is due to buoyancy, effects of cor-
rugation heights and corrugation helix angles, and tape-
induced swirl. However, the effects are not very strong.
Thermocouples were installed on the duct outside wall
by brazing. Axial locations of thermocouples were 5,
50cm, 1.00, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 and 1.95m along the down-
stream direction from the onset of heating at the upstream
end of the duct. Duct inside wall temperatures were evalu-
ated by calculating duct-wall temperature drop from the
one-dimensional radial heat conduction equation.
Oil bulk-mean temperatures at inlet and outlet of the test
section were also measured by copper-constantan thermocou-
ples. The oil temperature at outlet was measured after the mix-
ing chamber [item 6, Fig.3] and this was uniform. The mixing
chamber was a cylindrical box of rectangular cross-section.
The mixing chamber had rectangular plates arranged inside in
such a fashion that the working fluid moved in a serpentine
path. This gave a uniform temperature of the working fluid at
its exit plane. At other locations, the fluid bulk-mean tempera-
tures were interpolated since the fluid bulk-mean temperature
increases linearly for the uniform wall heat flux boundary
condition. The duct wall temperature also rises linearly in the
downstream fully developed region. Heat input to the test sec-
tion was evaluated by measuring resistance of the heater wires
and voltage across the heater wires and the enthalpy rise of oil
in its passage through the test duct. Peripherally local temper-
atures in an axial station were arithmetically averaged to get
axially local temperature and Nusselt number. Then axially
local Nusselt numbers were averaged by trapezoidal rule. The
electrical energy input and the enthalpy rise of the oil matched
Heat Mass Transfer (2015) 51:11891201 1193

within 3.55%. The enthalpy rise of the oil was taken as the 10

thermal energy input to the heat transfer test section. Fan-

ning Friction factor was evaluated. Experimental uncertainty 9

was determined by the method of Kline and McClintock [50].

The uncertainty (as shown in Appendix) in Reynolds num- 8
ber, Prandtl number, friction factor and Nusselt number were Correlation
4.08, 4.43, 6.77 and 8.15%, respectively. The fluid 7
Exp Data
temperature rise along the heated duct is not very high and Linear (Correlation)
fluid thermal properties being well documented, therefore, the 6

Nu
uncertainties in fluid properties variation have been neglected
without much loss in accuracy. 5

4
3Results anddiscussion
3
Experimental set-up has been validated by the results
shown in Figs.4 and 5. Results compare well to warrant the 2
validity of the experimental set-up.
Data have been generated for the following values of the 1
10 100 1000
parameters:
Re
Twisted-tape : Nusselt number vs. Reynolds number
Twist ratio : y = 2.5, 5.0; thl = 0.05263, 0.07895, 0.1053
 = 30 , 45 , 60 Fig.5Validation of the experimental setup: comparison of present
experimental Nusselt number data with plain circular tube data

10
1000

Exp Data
thl=0.05263, =30D
Correlation
thl=0.05263, =60D
thl=0.1053, =60D
1 thl=0.1053, =30D

f
fRe

100

0.1

0.01
1 10 100 1000 10
10 1 00 1000
Re
Re
Friction factor Vs Reynolds number
Fig.6Effect of tooth horizontal length and the tooth angle of the
Fig.4Validation of the experimental setup: comparison of present twisted-tape oblique teeth; y=2.5, P/e=2.0437, =30 (friction
experimental friction factor data with plain circular tube data factor)

13

1194
1000
Corrugation Angle=30D
Corrugation Angle=60D
f.Re
100
10
10 100 1000
Re
Fig.7Effect of corrugation helix angle, y=2.5, thl =0.05263,
=30, P/e=2.0437 (friction factor) Fig.8Effect of corrugation pitch, y=2.5, thl =0.1053, =60,
Corrugation helix angle ()=30, 45 and 60
Corrugation pitch (P/e)=2.0437, 5.6481
Both friction factor and Nusselt number decrease (Figs.6,
10, respectively) with decrease in the value of thl, , and
increase of P/e initially; however, after that, with further
changes of the values of parameters, no appreciable changes
in friction factor occur; however, Nusselt number further
decreases to some extent. This is due to the decrease in the
tape friction in the initial stages; whereas at the later stages
with the appreciable reduction in friction, the hydrodynamic
boundary layer shape and thickness do not change appreci-
ably, whereas thermal boundary layer shape and thickness
continue to change. The velocity profile does not become fur-
ther shallower, whereas temperature profile becomes further
shallower. Also, if we critically observe the Figs.6, 7, 8 and
9 and also the Ref. [6], it is seen that friction factor increases
5595% with combined use of integral axial corrugation
roughness and twisted-tape with oblique teeth as compared
to the separate cases of integral axial corrugation roughness
and twisted-tape with oblique teeth. In this connection, it
must be appreciated that the conventional axial corrugation
and twisted-tape with oblique teeth are fundamentally similar
as far as the flow physics is concerned. Approximately 165%
increase in Nusselt number is observed from the Figs.10,
11, 12 and 13 and also the Ref. [6]. Both friction factor and
Nusselt number behave similarly, i.e., they increase with the
decrease in the corrugation pitch and they increase with the
increase in the corrugation helix angle. The friction factor and
13
Heat Mass Transfer (2015) 51:11891201
1000
P/e=2.0437
P/e=5.6481
f.Re
100
10
10 100 1000
Re
=30 (friction factor)
Nusselt number are strong functions of corrugation pitch and
corrugation helix angle. The effect of twist ratio with y=5 of
the twisted-tape has not been presented separately since the
results with y=5 were similar to those with y=2.5. The
above result is expected and it is explained by the fact that,
in case of only twisted-tape, there is swirl flow with limited
swirl intensity; whereas there is additional fluid mixing due
to flow separation, reattachment and recirculation of fluid in
presence of integral axial corrugation roughness. Also, there
is faster momentum and thermal energy diffusion and trans-
port in both molecular and bulk flow levels causing additional
pressure loss and faster heat transmission. The inertia force
due to swirl flow generated by twisted-tape enhances the peri-
odic boundary layer separation and reattachment with tem-
perature and velocity profiles equally flatter, caused by inte-
gral spiral corrugation roughness and hence the enhancement.
It is also observed from the Figures that the effect of integral
axial corrugation roughness is equally prominent on friction
factor and on Nusselt number, because the hydrodynamic
boundary layer and the thermal boundary layer are equally
affected. This reminds us of the Reynolds analogy. However,
the thermohydraulic performance evaluation has shown that
the combined use of integral axial corrugation roughness and
twisted-tape with oblique teeth are better than the individual
enhancement technique and the combined use is recom-
mended. This technology is recommended for the manufac-
ture of better heat exchangers.
Heat Mass Transfer (2015) 51:11891201 1195

Fig.9Comparison of present 1000

experimental friction factor data
with the experimental friction
factor data, Eq.(1) of Abdel-
Kariem and Fletcher [4]
Corrugation Angle=30D
Corrugation Angle=60D

Eq (1)

fRe 100

Eq (1)

10
10 100 1000

Re

100

100

thl=0.1053, =30D
thl=0.05263, =60D Corrugation Angle=30D
thl=0.1053, =60D
Corrugation Angle=60D
thl=0.0.05263, =30D
NuY

10
NuY

10

1
100 1000 10000 1
ReX 1000 10000
ReX

Fig.10Effect of tooth horizontal length and the tooth angle of the

twisted-tape oblique teeth; y=2.5, P/e=2.0437, =30 (Nusselt Fig.11Effect of corrugation helix angle, y=2.5, thl =0.05263,
number) =30, P/e=2.0437 (Nusselt number)

13

1196 Heat Mass Transfer (2015) 51:11891201

4Correlations The laminar flow is influenced by the following condi-

tions: (1) the thermal boundary condition, (2) entrance
One major objective of the present work has been to region effect, (3) natural convection at low Reynolds num-
develop correlations for friction factor and Nusselt number ber, (4) fluid property variation across the boundary layer,
to predict pressure drop and heat transfer coefficient. These and (5) the duct cross-sectional shape. Correlations devel-
correlations have been developed by log-linear regression oped here take care of all these effects. The heat transfer
analysis. data are presented for uniform wall heat flux boundary con-
dition. The friction factor data are for the isothermal condi-
tion. The heated/cooled condition data will need usual vis-
100 cosity corrections.
Correlation for predicting friction factor for combined
twisted-tape with oblique teeth and integral axial corruga-
tion roughness is given by Eq.(3):
1/
  
+ 2 2/D 2

Re 2.67
 7
6
P/e=5.6481 f Re = 17.355 1 + 10
4/D y
P/e=2.0437
e2.763thl e0.1549 sin
NuY

0.1581 P/ e
 
10 (3)
e0.1326 sin e

For individual integral axial corrugation and twisted-

tape with oblique teeth, friction factors are given by Eqs.4
and 5, respectively.
 2 
+ 2 2/D 1/7
f Re = 3.471 1 + 0.16134Re2.67
4/D
e0.1216 sin e0.2145(P/e) (4)
1
100 1000 10000

ReX  2 
+ 2 2/D 1/7
f Re = 4.958 1 + 0.15713Re2.67
4/D
Fig.12Effect of corrugation pitch, y=2.5, thl=0.1053, =60,
=30 (Nusselt number) e1.637thl e0.0873 sin (5)

Fig.13Comparison of present
experimental Nusselt number
data with the experimental
Nusselt number data, Eq.(2) of
Abdel-Kariem and Fletcher [4]

13
Heat Mass Transfer (2015) 51:11891201 1197

The corresponding Nusselt number correlation is given Criterion 2Basic geometry fixed, heat duty fixedreduce
by Eqs.(6, 7, 8) pumping powerPerformance ratio R2 given by Eq.(11).
2.0 0.1
0.565 2.655


0.9416
2.5
6 Re 0.14
1 + 0.0749315Gz + 7.1334 10 Pr b
Num = 5.172 y
w (6)
+1.5548 1015 (Re Ra)2.18
e2.8612thl e0.1859 sin e0.18875 sin e0.2547(P/e)

2.0 0.1
0.565 2.655
2.5
0.9416 6 0.14
1 + 0.0749315Gz + 1.12087 10 Re Pr b
Num = 5.172
w (7)
+1.5548 1015 (Re Ra)2.18
e0.07325 sin e0.3347(P/e)

2.0 0.1
0.565 2.655
2.5
0.14
1 + 0.0749315Gz0.9416 + 8.2087 106 Re Pr

b
Num = 5.172
w (8)
+1.5548 1015 (Re Ra)2.18
e0.0126thl e0.0067 sin

All correlations have been developed by log-linear f Re3 com f Re3 com
   
regression analysis. The correlations predict experimental R21 =   , R22 =  (11)
f Re3 oac f Re3 ott

data within 10.29%.
For a given Re, Recom, the Nucom is obtained from the
correlation. Reoac,ott corresponding to Nuoac,ott is obtained
5Performance evaluation from the correlation for the case with oac, ott.
The performance ratios R1 and R2 are given in Tables1
Bergles etal. [51] have suggested several criteria for the and 2, respectively. The cases in Tables1 and 2 are referred
performance evaluation of enhancement devices. The per- by two digits; first digit is due to corrugation helix angle (1,
formance of the present geometry has been evaluated on 30; 2, 60) and second digit is due to corrugation pitch (1,
the basis of the following two important criteria: 2.0437; 2, 5.6481).
It has been observed that the combined integral axial cor-
Criterion 1Basic geometry fixed, pumping power rugation roughness and twisted-tape with oblique teeth per-
fixedincrease heat transferPerformance ratio R1 forms better than the individual enhancement technique acting
given by Eq.(9). alone. From Tables1 and 2 it is observed that there is 1979%
increase in heat transfer for constant pumping power and
5888% reduction in pumping power for constant heat duty
Nucom Nucom
R11 = , R12 = (9) depending upon the corrugation pitch and corrugation angle.
Nuoac Nuott
In case of combined enhancement techniques, the hydro-
Nucom at a given Re, Recom is obtained from the correla- dynamic boundary layer is more disturbed than the thermal
tion for the combined case. boundary layer by integral axial corrugation roughness in
Nuoac, ott for the case with oac and ottis taken at the the duct. The velocity profile is flatter than the temperature
Re, Reoac,ott where Reoac,ott is calculated from the constant profile. Momentum loss due to mixing of fluid with asym-
pumping power consideration as given in Eq.(10) below: metric velocity profiles is more. Moreover, the hydrody-
  1/3 namic boundary layer does not decay as fast as the ther-
fcom mal boundary layer. The thermal boundary layer separation
Reoac,ott = Re3oac,ott (10)
foac,ott and reattachment is more frequent than the hydrodynamic

13

1198 Heat Mass Transfer (2015) 51:11891201

Table1Performance ratio R1 R1
22 12 21 11

thl=0.05263, =30 R11 R12 R11 R12 R11 R12 R11 R12
1.19 1.25 1.21 1.22 1.24 1.24 1.23 1.20
thl=0.1053, =30 R11 R12 R11 R12 R11 R12 R11 R12
1.58 1.58 1.69 1.64 1.55 1.58 1.52 1.58
thl=0.05263, =60 R11 R12 R11 R12 R11 R12 R11 R12
1.59 1.51 1.58 1.62 1.65 1.62 1.62 1.65
Case: first digit for corrugation thl=0.1053, =60 R11 R12 R11 R12 R11 R12 R11 R12
helix angle and second digit for 1.79 1.71 1.66 1.68 1.68 1.69 1.63 1.68
corrugation pitch

Table2Performance ratio R2 R2
22 12 21 11

thl=0.05263, =30 R21 R22 R21 R22 R21 R22 R21 R22
0.42 0.34 0.34 0.36 0.35 0.33 0.33 0.33
thl=0.1053, =30 R21 R22 R21 R22 R21 R22 R21 R22
0.35 0.34 0.34 0.31 0.33 0.33 0.32 0.32
thl=0.05263, =60 R21 R22 R21 R22 R21 R22 R21 R22
0.28 0.28 0.25 0.18 0.19 0.21 0.21 0.24
Case: first digit for corrugation thl=0.1053, =60 R21 R22 R21 R22 R21 R22 R21 R22
helix angle and second digit for 0.12 0.23 0.26 0.18 0.21 0.21 0.22 0.27
corrugation pitch

boundary layer. Therefore, the increase in heat transfer is Appendix

more than the increase in pressure drop.
Uncertainty analysis

6Conclusions
The experimental friction factor and Nusselt number data
for laminar flow through a circular duct having integral
axial corrugation and fitted with twisted-tape with oblique
teeth inserts have been presented. Predictive friction factor
and Nusselt number correlations have also been presented.
The thermohydraulic performance has been evaluated. The
major findings of this experimental investigation are that
the twisted-tape with oblique teeth inserts in combination
with integral axial corrugation roughness perform signifi-
cantly better than the individual enhancement technique
acting alone for laminar flow through a circular duct up to a
certain value of fin parameter. This research finding is use-
ful in manufacturing better heat exchangers.
All the quantities that are measured to estimate the Nus-
selt number and the friction factor are subject to certain
uncertainties due to errors in the measurement. These
individual uncertainties as well as the combined effect
of these are presented here. The analysis is carried
out on the basis of the suggestion made by Kline and
McClintock [50].
Analysis
First the analysis for the friction factor is presented. The
analysis for the Nusselt number is presented after that.
Friction Factor

Acknowledgments The author gratefully acknowledges the gener- 

1 P

D3

ous financial support of the MHRD, DST, CSIR, Government of India f = (12)
for the current research. 2 Lp Re2 2
 2  2  2  2 0.5
f 1 f f f f
= (P) + Lp + D + Re
f f (P) Lp D (Re) (13)

13
Heat Mass Transfer (2015) 51:11891201 1199

or, q
2 0.5 h= (22)
Twi Tb
 2  2  2 
f (P) Lp 3D 2Re
= + + +
f P Lp D Re
(14) 2 0.5
 2  2 
h 1 h h h
= q + Twi + Tb (23)
h h q Twi Tb
P h (15)

(P) h  2 2 2 0.5
(16) q
 
= h Twi Tb
P h = + +
h q Twi Tb Twi Tb
4m (24)
Re = (17)
D
  0.5 0.5  2  
m 2 D 2 q =
 
Re V /R + mCp (Tbo Tbi ) (25)
= + DLh
Re m D
(18)

2 2 2 2 0.5

q R + q V + q m + q Tbo
q 1 R V m Tbo
=

q q 2 2 2


+ q Tbi + q D + q Lh
Tbi D Lh

0.5
R 2 V 2

1 4
+
1 + mCp RTb /V 2 2 R
2
V

1 + mCp RTb /V 2



2 2

1 m 1 T bo
q +
+
(26)
2 2

= V 2 m V 2 Tb
q
1 + RmCp Tb 1 + RmCp Tb

2 2 2
1 Tbi D Lh
+ + +

2
2 T D L

1 + RmCVp Tb b h

The uncertainty in friction factor has been calculated where

from the above equations.
Tb = Tbo Tbi
Nusselt number The uncertainty in Nusselt number has been calculated
from the above equations.
hD The accuracies of the measured quantities are given
Nu = (19)
k below in the tabular form:

Nu 1


2 

2 

2 0.5 Quantity Accuracy Quantity Accuracy
= (Nu)h + (Nu)D + (Nu)k
Nu Nu h D k Dh 0.00002m L 0.001m
m 1.667E5kg/s h 0.001m
(20)
T 0.025C V 0.1V
or
R 0.0000
 2  2 0.5
Nu h D
= + (21)
Nu h D

13

1200
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