The phenomenon of forced convection with turbulent flow is chaotic, complex and hard to develop analytically. Only key to the problem is experimental correlations and numerical solution. The goal of our project is to validate the Dittus-Boelter equation, a correlation used to find the value of heat transfer coefficient ‘h’ for turbulent flow. Heat transfer coefficient ‘h’ and friction factor are very important parameters because they determine rate of heat transfer and the pressure drop. We have used three methods to determine these parameters, Correlations, CFD simulation and experiment. This report will discus how the Dittus-Boelter equation is applied to the problem of circular pipe. Turbulent flow of air removes heat from the inner surface of the pipe and constant heat flux is applied at the outer surface. From knowledge of mass flow rate and dimensions of the pipe we can find out ‘h’ from Dittus-Boelter equation. Similarly we can find out friction factor ‘f ’. Numerical solution is obtained using CFD software FLUENT. Experiment confirms the results of the above two methods with a reasonable error which is inherent in these correlations and simulations. A major part of our project includes instrumentation and data acquisition. Circuits are designed and implemented for instrumentation and interfacing with computer. Moreover GUI based software is developed which displays sensors output, performs all the calculations and plot results.

BEMTS