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Numerical analysis has been performed to evaluate the heat transfer characteristics and performance of a circular pipe with geometrical dimple patterns. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) codes, we examine the effects of geometrical configurations on the flow and thermal behavior of circular pipes with concavity (dimple) diameters. Fluid mixing and flow perturbation are facilitated by perforations across the pipe core and wall regions, thereby improving thermal efficiency. In addition, a concavity with a diameter of 4 mm enhances heat transfer. Based on the results of the study, the disrupted pipe wall and pipe core region produce swirls and transverse vortices in the flow that provide superior heat transfer compared to conventional (smooth) pipes. In an increasing Reynolds number (Re), mixing, secondary, and separation flows become larger. Performance evaluation factor (PEF) values increased at low Reynolds numbers when dimple diameter was 1mm. As a result of these improved pipes, heat exchanger efficiency may improve in industrial applications, a key factor for energy conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the heat exchanger's costs in a highly competitive industry, thermal performance enhancement of the heat exchangers has successfully gained attention in the last few decades. Among different engineering approaches, the application of the enhanced pipes provides a key solution to improve heat performance. In this paper, the investigation develops a numerical study based on the commercially available computational fluid dynamics codes on the turbulent flow in three‐dimensional tubular pipes. Various concavity (dimple) diameters with corrugation and twisted tape configurations are investigated. The study has shown that perforated geometrical parameters lead to a high fluid mixing and flow perturbation between the pipe core region and the walls, hence better thermal efficiency. Moreover, a model of concavity (dimple) with a 4 mm diameter allows the highest heat transfer enhancement among other designs. In addition, the study shows that due to the disturbance between the pipe core region and the pipe wall, the transverse vortices and swirl flow generated are forceful, which leads to better heat transfer enhancement compared with the conventional (smooth) pipes. As the Reynolds number (Re) rises, the mixing flow, secondary, and separation flow extend to become higher than the values in a smooth pipe, allowing a higher value of performance evaluation factor to be achieved for a dimple diameter of 1mm at the low Re values. This study, therefore, shows the promising potential of the enhanced pipes in the heat transfer enhancement of heat exchangers that is crucial in industrial applications to save more energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]