Experimental investigation of heat transfer in the separation zone behind a backward-facing step in the presence of tabs

Abstract

The paper presents the experimental data on distribution of static pressure and heat transfer in a separation zone behind a backward-facing step equipped with vortex generators. The size and gaps between generators (tabs) of rec-tangular shape were varied in experiments. Experimental results were compared with two limiting cases: a smooth step (no tabs), and a step with a solid fin. The strongest influence on flow and heat transfer from the set of installed tabs was observed within the recirculation zone just behind the step base. The tabs allocated at the step edge resulted in the displacement of the Nusselt number maximum to the step base that caused the enhancement of a local and ave-rage heat transfer.