ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The best part of any project work is appreciating the efforts that people who
have put in to make it a success.
I

take

this

opportunity

to

submit

my

heartily

thanks

to

the

Prof. Dr. M. RAJARAM Vice-Chancellor for his having granted me an

opportunity to study M.E., under his able stewardship.
I express my sincere gratitude to Dr.S.GANESAN, Registrar for providing
us all the required facilities to complete this project successfully.
I also express my heartfelt thanks to our Respected Regional Director Dr.
S. MUTTAN and beloved Dean Dr. R. KRISHNAMOORTHY for their
encouragement and support.
I thank whole-heartedly my respected Guide Dr. M. CHANDRASEKAR,
Assistant Professor for having given a lot of valuable ideas right from the projects
inception till the end and the encouragement to bring out this project successfully.
I also wish thank to our Mr. P. GOPAL, ME., Assistant Professor, Head of
Department, I/C for giving me the valuable ideas to do this project.
I thank one and all who stood by my side in accomplishing the innovative
project.

R.Ragothaman
1

Abstract

The purpose of the present work is to experimentally investigate the effect of wire coil inserts on
the heat transfer and pressure drop performance of water under laminar flow with constant heat
flux. Heat transfer is enhanced with wire coil inserts when compared to plain tube. Two wire coil
inserts of different pitch ratios 3 and 2 (WC1 and WC2) are used. The heat transfer is increased
by a factor of 1.27 and 1.47 with WC1 and WC2 respectively. The friction factor is increased by
a factor of 0.8 and 2.4 with WC1 and WC2 respectively. It is observed that the favorable
operating regime is when the Reynolds number is greater than 1250 with wire coil insert having
a lower pitch ratio.

LIST OFCONTENTS
Chapter No.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

Description
Acknowledgements
Abstract
List of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
Introduction
Literature Review
Objectives and Methodology of the present work
3.1 Objectives
3.2 Methodology
Convective experimental setup
Data reduction
Results and discussion
Conclusion
References

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List of Tables
Table No.

Description

Page
No.

5.1

Probable error involved in the measurements

17

6.1

Experimental heat transfer test data for plain tube

20

6.2

Experimental heat transfer test data for tube with WC1

20

6.3

Experimental friction factor test data for tube with WC2

21

6.4

Experimental friction factor test data for plain tube

21

6.5

Experimental friction factor test data for tube with WC1

22

6.6

Experimental friction factor test data for tube with WC2

22

List of Figures
Figure No.

Description

Page No.

3.1

Methodology

10

4.1

Schematic of the experimental setup

12

4.2

Photograph the experimental setup

13

4.3

Wire coil inserts of pitch ratio 3 (WC2) and 2 (WC1)

13

4.4

Photograph of Wire coil inserts of pitch ratio 3 (WC2) and 2

(WC1)

14

4.4

The photograph and the schematic of the spiraled rod insert

13

6.1

Comparison between Shah equation and experimental data for

Nusselt number of distilled water under laminar flow

19

6.2

Comparison between Poiseuille equation and experimental friction

factor data of distilled water under laminar flow

19

6.3

Variation of Nusselt number with the variation in Reynolds

number for WC1

23

6.4

Variation of Nusselt number with the variation in Reynolds

number for WC2

24

6.4

Variation of friction factor with the variation in Reynolds number

25

6.5

Variation of performance factor with the variation in Reynolds

number

26