Effects of nozzle design and surface temperature on the wall shear stresses of impinging jets

Impinging jets are flow features seen in heat exchangers and aero engines. Such applications may suffer from the development of deposits which would therefore restrict the heat transfer between the incoming fluid and the solid wall and even affect fluid flow. The development of deposition layers and therefore heat transfer are largely affected by the flow field wall shear stresses.

This project will investigate the effects of nozzle design, Reynolds number and incoming fluid temperature on the developed wall shear stresses and their fluctuations of impinging jets, using CFD. The goal is to develop a design to maximise wall shear stresses, with minimal pressure losses, over a wide area on the impinging surface. Such optimised design can reduce the amount of deposits developed on the wall which would then prevent problems such as increased pressure losses and reduced heat transfer.

This work can lead to a significant improvement over current designs that will bring benefits such as reduced deposit formation, ability to operate at higher temperatures and therefore increased efficiencies, as well as reduction in maintenance intervals.

This is a self-funded PhD.

For further information contact Dr Spiridon Siouris (s.siouris@sheffield.ac.uk).