The numerical simulation of flow and heat transfer of temperature dependent properties of viscoelastic fluid in an axisymmetric sudden expansion

In the current research, laminar flow and heat transfer of viscoelastic fluid in an axisymmetric sudden expansion whit expansion ratio of 1:3 is investigated. Finite volume method and PISO algorithm are used for numerical simulation of flow and heat transfer of viscoelastic fluid. As well as, for study the effect of elasticity property of polymeric fluid flow, nonlinear Phan-Thein-Tanner (PTT) rheological model is used. Most of the researches which has been done in this field are focus on investigating hydrodynamic parameters of flow like study the effect of Reynolds number and elasticity property on vortices length, so due to the scarcity of comprehensive study about the heat transfer of viscoelastic fluid flow in sudden expansion, performing present study seems necessary. Considering some of the rheological and thermodynamic properties of viscoelastic fluid as function of temperature is the other innovations of current study, which because of the sensitivity of some of the viscoelastic properties to temperature, considering this hypothesis for solving energy equation seems essential. The results of numerical simulation shows that the maximum quantity of local Nusselt of sudden expansion for downstream wall is approximately where vortices are finished and the procedure of velocity variation is like smooth pipe. Also, whit increasing Reynolds number that led to enhancing length and intensity of vortices, the maximum local Nusselt in sudden expansion region move further toward downstream.