Numerical investigation of heat transfer of fluid flow in a channel containing a cylinder with two flexible vortex generators under sinusoidal inlet flow conditions

In this study, the hydrodynamic behavior and heat transfer of fluid flow inside a channel with heated walls in the presence of flexible fins (vortex generators) have been investigated. The inlet fluid flow into the channel is defined with a sinusoidal profile, which causes the elastic fins to oscillate and generate vortices in the fluid flow. The governing equations of fluid flow and the deformation of the elastic fins have been solved using the finite element method combined with the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) technique. The numerical analysis includes the study of the fins' behavior and their impact on drag force, Nusselt number, and pressure drop within the channel. The results show that increasing the fins' modulus of elasticity leads to an increase in drag force, Nusselt number, and a decrease in the tip displacement of the fins. Furthermore, the results indicate that by increasing the length of the elastic fins, heat transfer on the heated walls is enhanced, and the pressure drop inside the channel is increased. For example, the presence of flexible fins with a length of 3 mm resulted in an 82% increase in the Nusselt number and a 10% improvement in the thermal performance ratio compared to the baseline case (without flexible fins).