Heat Transfer Augmentation through Electric Fan Heater Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Air flow through electric fan heater channel is governed by coupled, non-linear partial differential equations; these equations have to be solved within on irregular domain subject to various initial and boundary conditions. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) replaces fluid flow equations by a set of algebraic equations, these algebraic equations can be solved using digital computers. Wall to air heat transfer augmentation is the most critical part of the electric fan heater design process. The objective of this study is to design an electric fan heater with heating channel 70cm long by 70cm wide by 5cm high. Wall to air heat transfer augmentation will be accomplished by placing turbulence promoters inside the heating channel. The effects of turbulence promoters on heat transfer augmentation will be studied using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Fluent.