Flow and heat transfer in the wake of a surface-mounted rib with a slit

An experimental study of flow and heat transfer downstream of a surface-mounted rib with a slit is reported. The open area ratios of the slit rib considered are 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% with respect to the total projected rib area. Experiments were conducted in a wind tunnel, mostly at a hydraulic diameter based Reynolds number of 32,100. The surface Nusselt number distribution was determined by liquid crystal thermography. Results show that the slit inside the rib enhances heat transfer and reduces pressure penalty, with an optimum performance seen at an open area ratio of 20%. To explain this result, a qualitative picture of the flow field behind the rib was obtained by smoke visualization. Time averages and turbulent statistics of the velocity and temperature fluctuations were measured in detail, using hotwire anemometry and cold wire anemometry respectively. For open area ratios less than 30%, measurements show that the flow through the slit modifies the reattaching shear layer from the top of the rib. The resulting reattachment length is smaller, the peak in Nusselt number is higher, and the average heat transfer from the heated surface is enhanced. For the rib with an open area ratio greater than 40%, the lower portion behaves as an independent small rib with its own reattachment region. Simultaneously, the flow downstream of the upper rectangular part shows characteristics of vortex shedding. Thus, the size of the slit is seen to be an additional parameter that can be used to control heat transfer from the solid surface, in comparison to the solid rib.