Numerical study of fluid flow and heat transfer in a gas-tank water heater

Influence of a vent hood at the exit of exhaust flue gas and flue baffles in the fire
tube on the temperature and flow fields of a gas tank water heater, as well as the
structure and amount of heat transferred to the water tank has been studied
numerically using two-dimensional steady state finite element simulation.
Observations show that without a vent hood, there is a downward gas flow in the
flue and a strong vortex in the lower burner chamber. Using a vent hood prevents
the gas back flow into the flue, and placing the flue baffles increases the heat
delivered to the water.