A numerical investigation of laminar periodic flow and heat transfer in a three-dimensional isothermal-wall
square channel fitted with 45° inclined baffles on one channel wall is carried out in the present work. The
finite volume method is introduced and the SIMPLE algorithm has been implemented for all computations.
The fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics are presented for Reynolds numbers ranging from 100 to
1200. The 45° baffle mounted only on the lower channel wall has a height of b and an axial pitch length (L)
equal to channel height (H). Effects of flow blockage ratios, BR=b/H=0.1–0.5, on heat transfer and pressure
loss in the square channel are examined and also compared with the typical case of the transverse baffle (or
90° baffle). It is found that apart from the rise of Reynolds number, the increase in the blockage ratio with the
attack angle (α) of 45° results in considerable increases in the Nusselt number and friction factor values. The
use of the 45° baffle can help to generate a streamwise main vortex flow throughout the channel leading to
fast and chaotic mixing of flow between the core and the wall regions. In addition, the computational results
reveal that the significant increase in heat transfer rate is due to impingement jets induced by a longitudinal
vortex pair (P-vortex) of flow, appearing on the upper, lower and baffle trailing end side walls. The
appearance of vortex-induced impingement flows created by the baffles leads to the maximum thermal
enhancement factor of about 2.2 at BR=0.4 and Re=1200. The enhancement factor of the 45° baffle
investigated is found to be higher than that of the 90° baffle for all Reynolds numbers and baffle heights.
provides the highest TEF at about 2.2 at the lowest Re.