Numerical analysis of V-shaped ribs in high aspect ratio cooling channels

The standard k-&egr; model along with a two-layer near-wall model was used to perform three-dimensional thermal and fluid analysis for para-hydrogen flowing in a two high aspect ratio cooling channels (HARCC) with aspect ratios of 10. Analyses were performed on a straight, smooth HARCC and a straight HARCC with V-shaped ribs. Comparisons between the smooth HARCC and the ribbed HARCC were performed to assess the impact of a V-shaped rib design on the thermal stratification of para-hydrogen flowing through the channel and the temperature of the hot gas wall. The model was validated by simulating an asymmetrically heated square channel with V-shaped ribs and comparing with the experimental Nusselt numbers.