International Journal of Green Energy

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Artificially roughened solar air heater: A

comparative study

Anil Singh Yadav & Manish Kumar Thapak

To cite this article: Anil Singh Yadav & Manish Kumar Thapak (2016) Artificially roughened
solar air heater: A comparative study, International Journal of Green Energy, 13:2, 143-172, DOI:
10.1080/15435075.2014.917419

To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2014.917419

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 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY
2016, VOL. 13, NO. 2, 143–172
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15435075.2014.917419

Artificially roughened solar air heater: A comparative study

Anil Singh Yadava and Manish Kumar Thapakb
Mechanical Engineering Department, Lakshmi Narain College of Technology-Excellence (LNCTE), Bhopal, India; bMechanical Engineering
a

Department, Dr. K. N. Modi University, Newai, Rajasthan, India

ABSTRACT KEYWORDS
Artificially roughened solar air heater has been topic in research for the last 30 years. Prediction of heat Artificial roughness; fluid
transfer and fluid flow processes of an artificially roughened solar air heater can be obtained by three flow; heat transfer; pressure
drop; solar air heater
approaches: theoretical, experimental, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). This article provides a
comprehensive review of the published literature on the investigations of artificially roughened solar air
heater. In the present article, an attempt has been made to present holistic view of various roughness
Downloaded by [The National Library - Kolkata] at 03:12 30 November 2017

geometries used for creating artificial roughness in solar air heater for heat transfer enhancement. This
extensive review reveals that quite a lot of work has been reported on design of artificially roughened
solar air heater by experimental approach but only a few studies have been done by theoretical and CFD
approaches. Finally this article presents a comparative study of thermo-hydraulic performance of 21
different types of artificial roughness geometries attached on the absorber plate of solar air heater in
terms of thermo-hydraulic performance parameter. Heat transfer and friction factor correlations devel-
oped by various investigators for different types of artificially roughened solar air heaters have also been
reported in this article.

Introduction 2011; Languri et al. 2011; Waqas and Kumar 2013; Song et al.
2013).
Basically all the forms of energy in the world as we know are
Solar air heaters because of their simple design are cheap
solar in origin. Oil, coal, natural gas, and wood were originally
and most widely used collection devices of solar energy. The
produced by photosynthetic processes, followed by complex
main applications of solar air heaters are space heating,
chemical reactions in which decaying vegetation was sub-
seasoning of timber, curing of industrial products and
jected to very high temperatures and pressures over a long
these can also be effectively used for drying of concrete/
period of time. Even the energy of the wind and tide has a
clay building components (Twidell and Weir 2006; Li 2011;
solar origin, since they are caused by differences in tempera-
Maczulak 2011; Yadav and Bhagoria 2013a). A conventional
ture in various regions of the earth. Solar energy is the oldest
solar air heater generally consists of an absorber plate with a
energy source ever used. The sun was adored by many ancient
parallel plate below forming a small passage through which
civilizations as a powerful god. The first known practical
the air is to be heated and flows as shown in Figure 1. A solar
application was in drying for preserving food. The greatest
air heater is simple in design and requires little maintenance.
advantage of solar energy as compared with other forms of
However, the value of the heat transfer coefficient between
energy is that it is clean and can be supplied without environ-
the absorber plate and air is low and this results in a lower
mental pollution (Quaschning 2005; Kalogirou 2009; Foster,
efficiency. For this reason, the surfaces are sometimes rough-
Ghassemi, and Cota 2010).
ened in the air flow passage (Sukhatme and Nayak 2011).
Solar collector is one of the basic equipment through
Numbers of investigations involving roughness elements of
which solar energy is converted into thermal energy. Solar
different shapes, sizes, and orientations with respect to flow
collectors in the system for the utilization of solar thermal
direction have been carried out in order to obtain an opti-
energy are widely used in various equipment. Many classifica-
mum arrangement of roughness element geometry. The
tions have been proposed for the types of solar collectors.
objective of present article is to review various roughness
These different classifications are based on their design, work-
geometries used in solar air heater, tested experimentally and
ing fluid, applications, geometries, and operation style.
simulated numerically (CFD) for performance enhancement
Researchers and engineers are harvesting the thermal solar
by various investigators and provides critical analysis of data
energy for a variety of applications (Liu et al. 2007; Chen et al.
on heat transfer and friction characteristics of roughened
2010; Al-Nimr, Khuwaileh, and Alata 2011; El-Sebaii et al.

CONTACT Anil Singh Yadav anilsinghyadav@gmail.com Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, Lakshmi Narain College of Technology-Excellence
(LNCTE), Bhopal, MP 462021, India.
Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/ljge.
Both authors contributed equally to this work.
© 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
 144 A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK
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Figure 1. Conventional solar air heater.

surface to facilitate designers and investigators to make best type of a conventional system is described by Garg and Prakash
use of it in future. (2000).
The article is organized as follows. The current section
discusses the necessity of solar energy and basic of solar air
heater. Section 2 discusses the thermo-hydraulic performance Thermal performance
of solar air heater. Section 3 deals with the use of artificial Thermal performance of solar air heater can be expressed in
roughness in solar air heater for heat transfer enhancement. terms of the fraction of incident solar radiation utilized to
Section 4 discusses the methodology of investigations includ- increase the temperature of air. In other words, thermal
ing theoretical, experimental, and CFD approach, and pre- efficiency is a measure of thermal performance of a solar air
sents the outcomes of all three types of investigations on heater. Thermal performance of solar air heater can be com-
artificially roughened solar air heater. Empirical findings are puted with the help of Hottel–Whillier–Bliss equation
also presented in Section 4. Section 5 presents a comparison of reported by Duffie and Beckman (1991).
thermo-hydraulic performance for different roughness geo- Σ Σ
metries used in solar air heaters, when they operate in the Qu ¼ ApFR IðταÞe — ULðTi — TaÞ (1)
same conditions. Furthermore, the final section contains con- or
cluding remarks with discussion.
Qu Σ Σ
qu ¼ ¼ FR IðταÞe — ULðTi — TaÞ (2)
Ap
Thermo-hydraulic performance of a solar air heater The rate of valuable energy gain by flowing air in the
course of duct of a solar air heater can be intended as follows
Performance of any system represents the degree of utilization equation;
of input to the system. It is required to analyze thermal and . Σ
hydraulic performance of a solar air heater for making an Qu ¼ mcpðTo — TiÞ ¼ hAp Tpm — Tam (3)
efficient design of such type of a system. Thermal performance The value of heat transfer coefficient (h) can be increased
is concerned with heat transfer process within the collector and by various active and passive augmentation techniques. It can
hydraulic performance is concerned with pressure drop in the be represented in nondimensional form of Nusselt num-
duct. A conventional solar air heater (Figure 1) is considered ber (Nu).
for brief analysis of thermal and hydraulic performance in the
following sub-sections. Design and construction detail of such Nu ¼ hL=k (4)

Further, thermal efficiency of a solar air heater can be
expressed by the following equation;
qu
ηth ¼ ¼ Σ Σ
I FR ðταÞe — ULðTi — TaÞ=I (5)
Hydraulic performance
Hydraulic performance of a solar air heater is concerned with
pressure drop (ΔP) in the duct of a solar air heater. Pressure
drop accounts for energy consumption by blower to propel air
through the duct. Pressure drop can be represented in non-
dimensional form by using the following relationship of fan-
ning friction factor (f).
f ¼ ΔPD=2ρLv2 (6)
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Thermo-hydraulic performance
Performance of a solar air heater based on the consideration
of the thermal as well as hydraulic characteristics is termed as
thermo-hydraulic performance. The mechanical energy
required for creating turbulence along with the useful energy
is considered for evaluating the thermo-hydraulic perfor-
mance of a solar air heater. Useful energy is thermal energy
while pumping power is mechanical. So, for performance
analysis both energies should be taken in the same form.
It is desirable that design of solar air heater should be made
in such a way that it should transfer maximum heat energy to
the flowing fluid with minimum consumption of pumping
power. Therefore in order to analyze overall performance of a
solar air heater, thermo-hydraulic performance should be
evaluated by considering thermal and hydraulic characteristics
of the collector simultaneously. A number of criteria have
been proposed by investigators for performance evaluation
of a solar air heater. Two most important criteria for perfor-
mance evaluation of a solar air heater are:
Thermo-hydraulic performance parameter: An important
thermo-hydraulic performance evaluation parameter which
is used to compare the heat transfer of artificially roughened
duct to that of a smooth duct under constant pumping power
constraints as defined by Webb and Eckert (1972):
Thermo — hydraulic performance parameter
. Σ
Nur=
Nu
s where the heat transfer takes place and the core flow should not
¼ . Σ13 (7)
fr=
fs
A value of this parameter higher than unity ensures the
effectiveness of using an enhancement device and can be used
to compare the performance of number of arrangements to
decide the best among these.
Effective Efficiency: Cortes and Piacentini (1990) have sug-
gested a term indicating the thermo-hydraulic performance of
a flat plate solar air heater and termed it as effective efficiency.
η . Σ (8)
eff ¼ q Pm
u— =C =IA p
where Ap is the absorber plate area, Pm is mechanical energy
consumed for propelling air through collector, and C is the
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 145
conversion efficiency (mechanical power to thermal), consid-
ering that mechanical power is obtained from a typical ther-
mal power plant and it is given by
C ¼ ηth ηtr ηmηp (9)
The value of C is taken by considering typical values of
various efficiencies as 0.2 [=thermal power plant efficiency
(ηth = 0.34) × transmission efficiency (ηtr = 0.90) × motor
efficiency (ηm = 0.90) × efficiency of the pump (ηp = 0.75)].
Use of artificial roughness in solar air heater for heat
transfer enhancement
The heat transfer between the absorber surface (heat transfer
surface) of solar air heater and flowing air can be improved by
either increasing the heat transfer surface area using extended
and corrugated surfaces without enhancing heat transfer coeffi-
cient or by increasing heat transfer coefficient using the turbu-
lence promoters in the form of artificial roughness on absorber
surface. The roughness, on the absorber plate can be provided
by several methods such as sand blasting, machining, casting,
forming, welding ribs, and or fixing thin circular wires. The use
of artificial roughness in different forms and shapes is the most
effective and economic way of improving the performance of a
solar air heater. Numbers of experimental investigations invol-
ving roughness elements of different shapes, sizes, and orienta-
tions with respect to flow direction have been carried out in
order to obtain an optimum arrangement of roughness element
geometry. It is well known that in a turbulent flow, a laminar/
viscous sub-layer exists in addition to the turbulent core. The
artificial roughness on heat transfer surface breaks up the lami-
nar boundary layer of turbulent flow and makes the flow turbu-
lent adjacent to the wall. The artificial roughness that results in
the desirable increase in the heat transfer also results in an
undesirable increase in the pressure drop due to the increased
friction; thus the design of the flow duct and absorber surface of
duct should, therefore, be executed with the objectives of high
heat transfer rates and low friction losses. In this method, the
turbulence is promoted by roughened surfaces only in the
viscous sub layer region to obtain heat transfer enhancement
at the cost of moderate friction penalty. It is therefore desirable
that the turbulence must be created only in the region very close
to the heat transferring surface i.e. in the viscous sub-layer only
be unduly disturbed so as to avoid excessive friction losses. This
DSTCERI
can be done by keeping the height of the roughness elements to
2017-12-02 10:30:50
be small in comparison with the duct dimensions (Varun, Saini,
--------------------------------------------
and Singal 2007; Hans, Saini,ROUGHNESS
and Saini 2009;DESIGNBhushan PARAMETER
and
Singh 2010; Thakur et al. 2010; Chamoli et al. 2012; Chamoli,
Thakur, and Saini 2012; Kumar, Saini, and Saini 2012a; Patil,
Saini, and Kumar 2012; Tyagi et al. 2012).
The idea of artificial roughness was first applied by Joule
(1861) to enhance heat transfer coefficients for in-tube con-
densation of steam and since then many experimental inves-
tigations were carried out on the application of artificial
roughness in the areas of cooling of gas turbine, electronic
equipments, nuclear reactors, compact heat exchangers etc.
Several investigators have modeled the shape of internal
 146 A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK
cooling passage of gas turbine as a rectangular channel with
two opposite rough walls and two smooth walls. Several types
of surface roughness have been used; they may be broadly
classified as regular surface roughness and irregular surface
roughness. Irregular surface roughness can be produced by
sand blasting the surface. Regular surface roughness is of
many types in the form of cavities and ribs depending on
the shape, arrangement, and orientation of roughness ele-
ments on the heated plate. Early studies beginning with that
of Nikuradse (1950) attempted to develop velocity and tem-
perature distribution for roughened surfaces. Nikuradse
investigated the effect of roughness on the friction factor and
velocity distribution in pipes roughened by sand blasting. To
increase the heat transfer in case of solar air heaters, the
roughness elements have to be considered only on one wall,
which is the only heated wall, because there is only one wall,
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which receives the solar radiation. Therefore, the solar air
heaters are modeled as a rectangular channel having one
rough wall and three smooth walls. This makes the fluid
flow and heat transfer characteristics distinctly different
from those found in the case of channel with two opposite
roughened walls, roughened annular, and circular tubes. The
roughness elements can be two-dimensional ribs or three
dimensional discrete elements, transverse or inclined ribs or
V-shaped continuous or broken ribs with or without gap. The
roughness elements can also be arc-shaped wire or dimple or
cavity or compound rib-grooved. The common shape of ribs
is square but different shapes like circular, semi-circular, and
chamfered have also been considered to investigate thermo
hydraulic performance.
The key dimensionless geometrical parameters that are
used to characterize artificial roughness are:
Relative roughness pitch (P/e): Relative roughness pitch (P/e) is
defined as the ratio of distance between two consecutive ribs and
height of the rib.
Relative roughness height (e/D): Relative roughness height
(e/D) is the ratio of rib height to equivalent diameter of the air
passage.
Angle of attack (α): Angle of attack is inclination of rib with
direction of air flow in duct.
Aspect ratio: It is ratio of duct width to duct height. This factor
also plays a very crucial role in investigating thermo-hydraulic
performance.
Methodology of investigations to determine the
thermo-hydraulic performance of solar air heater
There are basically three approaches or methods that can be
used to solve a problem of fluid flow and heat transfer in a
solar air heater. These approaches are:
(a) Theoretical (b) experimental, and (c) computational
fluid dynamics (CFD).
Theoretical approach
A theoretical prediction works out the consequences of a
mathematical model, rather than those of an actual physical
model. For the physical processes of interest, the mathemati-
cal model mainly consists of a set of differential equations. If
the methods of classical mathematics were to be used for
solving these equations, there would be little hope of predict-
ing many phenomena of practical interest. In the theoretical
approach, simplifying assumptions are used in order to make
the problems tractable (Patankar 1980).
Lewis (1975) presented the parameters which control the
momentum- and heat-transfer performance of a rough
surface in a uniform channel flow in a novel way. A new
efficiency parameter was defined for optimizing thermo-
hydraulic performance of roughened surfaces with respect to
smooth surfaces. The purpose of this study was to present a
method and design charts for evaluating and optimizing
the thermo-hydraulic performance of rough surfaces in
channels where the concept of an equivalent hydraulic dia-
meter was valid.
Prasad and Saini (1988) analytically
DSTCERI
investigated the per-
formance of solar air heater having circular transverse wire rib
2017-12-02 10:33:16
roughness on the absorber plate and expressions for predic-
--------------------------------------------
DSTCERI
tion of average Stanton number and average
DESIGN PARAMETER
2017-12-02 10:33:56 friction factor
2
were developed. The results of these expressions were com-
--------------------------------------------
pared with available data. The MODEL
results were found to compare
with a mean deviation of 6.3% for friction factor and −10.7%
for the Nusselt number. The effect of height and pitch of the
roughness elements on the heat transfer and friction factor
were also investigated. It was found that for a given relative
roughness pitch both the Nusselt number and friction factor
increase with increasing relative roughness height and for a
given relative roughness height both the Nusselt number and
friction factor decrease with increasing relative roughness
pitch, but not in direct proportions
Cortis and Piacentini (1990) developed a steady-state
mathematical model for a roughened solar air collector. For
heat transfer and friction in rectangular ducts with periodic
disturbances were employed for evaluating the incidence of
such disturbances on bare collector efficiency and on its
pressure drop. An effective efficiency, which takes into
account extra heat obtained, and additional mechanical (elec-
tric) energy consumption for moving air when heat-transfer
augmentation devices are employed, was defined. Simulation
results were given for a bare collector, with and without
perturbations, showing efficiency and effective efficiency
dependence on collector dimensions, solar radiation intensity,
disturbance diameter, and pitch, for collector performance
optimization.
Gupta, Solanki, and Saini (1997) discussed the effect of
roughness and operating parameters on the thermal as well
as the hydraulic performance of roughened solar air heaters
and the thermo-hydraulic performance of roughened solar
air heaters was compared with that of conventional smooth
solar air heaters. The optimum design and operating condi-
tions were determined. On the basis of thermo-hydraulic
considerations, it was found that the systems operating in a
specified range of Reynolds number (3500–19,000) would
show better thermo-hydraulic performance depending
upon the insolation. A relationship between the system and
operating parameters that combine to yield optimum per-
formance was developed.
Mittal et al. (2007) presented a comparison of effective
efficiency of solar air heaters having different types of geome-
try of roughness elements on the absorber plate. The effective

efficiency for different geometry was computed by using the
correlations for heat transfer and friction factor developed by
various investigators within the investigated range of operat-
ing and system parameters. Solar air heater having inclined
ribs as roughness elements was found to have better effective
efficiency in the higher range of Reynolds number. However,
expanded metal mesh was found suitable roughness element
in the lower range of Reynolds number.
Layek, Saini, and Solanki (2007a) presented the mathema-
tical model for predicting the entropy generation of a solar air
heater having chamfered rib–groove roughened absorber
plate. Effect of the roughness parameter on the entropy gen-
eration was considered. It was found that the entropy genera-
tion decreases with increase in relative roughness height. The
set of relative roughness pitch of 6, relative groove position
0.4 and chamfer angle 18° showed the minimum rise in
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entropy generation.
Gupta and Kaushik (2009a) carried out a comparative
study of various types of artificial roughness geometries in
the absorber plate of solar air heater duct for the heat transfer
and friction characteristics. The performance evaluation in
terms of energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, and effective
energy efficiency was carried out, for various values of
Reynolds number, for some selected artificial roughness geo-
metries in the absorber plate of solar air heater duct. The six
roughness geometries as per the order of ability to create
turbulence and a smooth surface were selected. The correla-
tions for heat transfer and coefficient of friction developed by
respective investigators were used to calculate efficiencies. It
was found that artificial roughness on absorber surface effec-
tively increases the efficiencies in comparison to smooth sur-
face. The energy efficiency in general increased in the
following sequence: smooth surface, circular ribs, V-shaped
ribs, wedge-shaped rib, expanded metal mesh, rib-grooved,
and chamfered rib–groove. The effective energy efficiency
based criteria also followed same trend of variation among
various considered geometries, and trend was reversed at very
high Reynolds number. The exergy efficiency based criteria
also followed the same pattern; but the trend was reversed at
relatively lower value of Reynolds number and for higher
range of Reynolds number the exergy efficiency approaches
zero or may be negative. It was found that for the higher
range of Reynolds number circular ribs and V-shaped ribs
give appreciable exergy efficiency up to high Reynolds num-
ber; while for low Reynolds number chamfered rib–groove
gives more exergy efficiency.
Gupta and Kaushik (2009b) carried out a parametric study
of artificial roughness geometry of expanded metal mesh type
in the absorber plate of solar air heater duct and compared
with smooth duct. The performance evaluation in terms of
energy augmentation ratio (EAR), effective energy augmenta-
tion ratio (EEAR) and exergy augmentation ratio (EXAR) was
carried out for various values of Reynolds number and rough-
ness parameters of expanded metal mesh roughness geometry
in the absorber plate of solar air heater duct. It was found that
the augmentation ratios decreased at faster rate with Reynolds
number in the order of EAR, EEAR and EXAR. It was also
found that augmentation ratios increased with increase in
duct depth and intensity of solar radiation. The artificially
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 147
roughened solar air heater duct performed better as per EAR
or heat energy gain criteria for any values of Reynolds number
and roughness parameters of expanded metal mesh. The
EXAR was a more suitable criterion to incorporate the quality
of heat collected and pump work required. The EXAR was
more for higher duct depth and low Reynolds number range.
Based on EXAR the suitable design parameters of expanded
metal mesh roughness geometry were determined.
Singh, Chander, and Saini (2012) studied the exergetic
efficiency of a solar air heater having discrete V-down rib
roughness analytically and the results obtained were com-
pared with that of a conventional flat-plate solar air heater.
Effects of the Reynolds number and rib-roughness parameters
on exergetic efficiency were determined. It was found that
there exist optimum roughness parameters of the discrete V-
down rib for a given Reynolds number (or temperature rise
parameter) at which the exergetic efficiency was highest.
Curves of optimum rib-roughness parameters were also
plotted. A set of rib-roughness parameters namely relative
roughness pitch of 8, relative gap position of 0.65, angle of
attack of 60°, relative gap width of 1.0 and relative roughness
height of 0.043 provided maximum exergetic efficiency.
Karwa and Shrivastava (2013) carried out thermal perfor-
mance of a solar air heater having absorber plate with V-down
discrete rib roughness using a mathematical model. The col-
lector, which supplied heated air for space heating application,
was installed at a slope of 45° facing south and operated in a
closed loop mode with inlet air at a fixed temperature of 295
K. The ambient temperature was varied from 278 K to 288 K.
The thermal efficiency of the roughened duct air heater was
6–26% higher than that of a smooth duct air heater. The
results of analysis were presented in the form of performance
plots with constant temperature rise lines of 10°C, 15°C, 20°C,
and 25°C.
The above literature review reveals that very few theoreti-
cal/analytical studies have been reported on the design of
artificially roughened solar air heater.
Experimental approach
The most reliable information about a physical process is
often given by actual measurement. An experimental
approach involving full-scale equipment can be used to pre-
dict how identical copies of the equipment would perform
under the same conditions. Such full scale tests are, in most
cases, prohibitively expensive and often impossible. The alter-
native then is to perform experiments on small-scale, models.
The resulting information, however, must be extrapolated to
full scale, and general rules for doing this are often unavail-
able. Further, the small-scale models do not always simulate
all the features of the full-scale equipment; frequently, impor-
tant features such as combustion or boiling are omitted from
the model tests. This further reduces the usefulness of the test
results. Finally it must be remembered that there are serious
difficulties of measurement in many situations, and that the
measuring instruments are not free from errors (Patankar
1980).
A number of standards describe the testing procedures for
the thermal performance of solar collectors. The most well-
 148 A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK
known are the ISO 9806-1:1994 (1994) and the ASHRAE
Standard 93:2003 (2003). These can be used to evaluate the
performance of both flat-plate and concentrating solar
collectors.
For the tests, the following parameters need to be
measured:
(1) Global solar irradiance at the collector plate.
(2) Diffuse solar irradiance at the collector aperture.
(3) Air speed above the collector aperture.
(4) Ambient air temperature.
(5) Fluid temperature at the collector inlet.
(6) Fluid temperature at the collector outlet.
(7) Fluid flow rate.
The use of artificial roughness in solar air heaters owes its
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origin to several investigations carried out in connection with
the enhancement of heat transfer in duct flow, nuclear reac-
tors, cooling of turbine blades, and electronic components. As
in solar air heater the solar radiation is absorbed by absorber
plate, which is the main heat transfer surface; therefore, the
solar air heaters are modeled as a rectangular channel having
one rough wall and three smooth walls. General arrangement
of different types of roughness geometries investigated experi-
mentally by various investigators are discussed in detail under
following sub-sections.
Transverse wire rib roughness
Prasad and Mullick (1983) were the first who introduced the
application of artificial roughness in the form of small dia-
meter wire attached on the underside of absorber plate to
improve the thermal performance of solar air heater for dry-
ing purposes as shown in Figure 2. It was reported that
protruding wires improve plate efficiency factor from 0.63 to
0.72 resulting in 14% improvement in thermal performance
for a Reynolds number of 40,000. The agreement of the
measured heat transfer coefficients with theoretical predic-
tions was found to be satisfactory.
Verma and Prasad (2000) carried out an outdoor experi-
mental investigation for thermo-hydraulic optimization of the
roughness and flow parameters for Reynolds number (Re)
range of 5000–20,000, relative roughness pitch (P/e) range of
10–40 and relative roughness height (e/D) range of 0.01–0.03.
Authors reported effect of transverse wire roughness on heat
and fluid flow characteristics for three rectangular solar air
heater ducts; two were roughened collectors and one was a
plane surface. Transverse wires were fixed on underside of
absorber plate as shown in Figure 2. The optimal value of
roughness Reynolds number (e+) was found to be 24 and
corresponding to this value, optimal thermo-hydraulic
Air
Wires Absorber plate
P
e
Figure 2. Transverse continuous wire rib roughness.
performance was reported to be 71%. Heat transfer enhance-
ment factor (Nur/Nus) was found to vary between 1.25 and
2.08 for the range of parameters investigated. Correlations for
heat transfer and friction factor were also developed.
Prasad (2013) presented the experimental results on heat
transfer and thereby thermal performance of artificially
roughened solar air heaters for fully developed turbulent
flow data collected under actual outdoor conditions. Thin G.
I. wires of varying diameter were provided on the flow side of
the absorber plate normal to the fluid flow direction as a
roughness element. Author reported that such solar air hea-
ters were found to give considerably high value of collector
heat removal factor, collector efficiency factor and thermal
efficiency as compared to the corresponding values of those of
smooth collectors. In the range of the operating parameters
investigated, the ratio of the respective values of the heat
removal factor, collector efficiency factor, and thermal effi-
ciency for the roughened collectors to the smooth collectors
were found to be 1.786, 1.806, and 1.842, respectively.
Wedge-shaped rib roughness
Bhagoria, Saini, and Solanki (2002) performed experiments to
determine the effect of relative roughness pitch, relative
roughness height, and wedge angle on the heat transfer and
friction factor in a solar air heater roughened duct having
wedge-shaped rib roughness as shown in Figure 3. Statistical
correlations for the Nusselt number and friction factor were
developed in terms of geometrical parameters of the rough-
ness elements and the flow Reynolds number. The major
conclusions from the studies were: 1. As compared to the
smooth duct, the presence of ribs yields Nusselt number up
to 2.4 times while the friction factor rises up to 5.3 times for
the range of parameters investigated. 2. The maximum heat
transfer occurs for a relative roughness pitch of about 7.57,
while the friction factor keeps decreasing as the relative
roughness pitch increases. 3. A maximum enhancement of
heat transfer occurs at a wedge angle of about 10° while on
either side of this wedge angle, Nusselt number decreases. The
friction factor increases as the wedge angle increases.
90° Broken transverse rib roughness
Sahu and Bhagoria (2005) investigated the effect of 90° broken
ribs (Figure 4) on thermal performance of a solar air heater
P
e 
P
P
Figure 3. Wedge-shaped transverse rib roughness.

P Wires Absorber Plate
Air
Figure 4. Transverse 90° broken rib roughness.
for fixed roughness height (e) value of 1.5 mm, relative rough-
ness height (e/D) value of 0.0338, duct aspect ratio (W/H)
value of 8, pitch (P) in the range of 10–30 mm and Reynolds
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number (Re) range of 3000–12,000. It was found that the
maximum Nusselt number attained for roughness pitch of
20 and decreased with an increase in roughness pitch.
Roughened absorber plates increased the heat transfer coeffi-
cient by 1.25–1.4 times as compared to smooth rectangular
duct under similar operating conditions at higher Reynolds
number. Based on experimentation, it was concluded that the
maximum thermal efficiency of roughened solar air heater
was to be of the order of (51–83.5%) depending upon the
flow conditions.
Inclined wire rib roughness
Gupta, Solanki, and Saini (1993) carried out a series of
experiments to determine the effect of inclined transverse
wire roughness on heat and fluid flow characteristics in
transitionally rough flow region (5<e+<70) for rectangular
solar air heater ducts with an absorber plate having inclined
transverse wire roughness on its underside as shown in
Figure 5. Simple correlations for Nusselt number and fric-
tion factor were developed in terms of geometrical para-
meters of roughness, duct cross section, and the flow
Reynolds number. It was observed that nontransverse ribs
were advantageous when compared with transverse ribs for
the enhancement of the heat transfer coefficient. For a
roughened solar air heater, maximum enhancement in heat
transfer and friction factor was reported to be of the order
1.8 and 2.7 times, respectively, corresponding to angle of
inclination values of 60° and 70°, respectively. Best thermo-
hydraulic performance was reported for relative roughness
height (e/D) value of 0.023 and Reynolds number (Re) value
of 14,000.

 W
Flow
p
Figure 5. Inclined continuous rib roughness.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 149
Inclined continuous ribs roughness with gap
Aharwal, Gandhi, and Saini (2009) carried out an experimen-
tal investigation on heat transfer and friction characteristics of
solar air heater ducts with integral repeated discrete square
ribs on the absorber plate as shown in Figure 6. The effect of
geometrical parameters, especially, the gap width and gap
position was investigated. As compared to the smooth surface,
the rib-roughened surface yielded an increase of about 2.83
and 3.60 times in the Nusselt number and friction factor,
respectively, for the range of parameters investigated. The
maximum heat transfer enhancement was observed at a rela-
tive gap position of 0.25 for relative gap width of 1.0, relative
roughness pitch of 8, angle of attack of 60° and relative
roughness height of 0.037. The maximum value of friction
factor occurs for discrete transverse ribs with relative rough-
ness pitch of 8. Based on the experimental data, correlations
for Nusselt number and friction factor were developed as a
function of roughness parameters of inclined discrete square
ribs and flow Reynolds number.
Combination of transverse and inclined rib roughness
Varun, Saini, and Singal (2008) carried out an experimental
investigation to study the heat transfer and friction character-
istics by using a combination of inclined as well as transverse
ribs on the absorber plate of a solar air heater as shown in
Figure 7. For relative roughness pitch (p/e) value of 8, the best
thermal performance was reported. Based on experimental
data collected during investigation, correlations for Nusselt
number and friction factor was developed for the investigated
system.
P
W
60°
d
d
Continuousrib d/W = 0.16 d/W = 0.25
d
d d
d/W = 0.33 d/W = 0.5 d/W = 0.67
Figure 6. Inclined continuous rib roughness with gap.
P
60˚
L
Figure 7. Combination of transverse and inclined rib roughness.

Mittal and Varun (2009) carried out an experimental
investigation of the thermo-hydraulic performance of a solar
air heater having transverse and inclined ribs as artificial
roughness element on the absorber plate as shown in
Figure 7. It was reported that the thermo-hydraulic perfor-
mance of rib roughened solar air heater having P/e = 8 was
best among the three different types of rib geometry used. It
was observed that the thermo-hydraulic performance of rib
roughened solar air heater was always more than that of
smooth one in the range of Reynolds number investigated.
Expanded metal mesh roughness
Saini and Saini (1997) carried out an experimental investiga-
tion for fully developed turbulent flow in a rectangular duct
with large aspect ratio (11:1) and having expanded metal
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mesh as artificial roughness to study the effect of wire mesh
roughened absorber plate on heat transfer augmentation and
friction characteristics of solar air heater as shown in Figure 8.
It was reported that the maximum heat transfer of order four
times over the smooth duct was obtained corresponding to
L Expanded Metal Mesh
Air
S thermo-hydraulic performance of roughened solar air heaters
Figure 8. Expanded metal mesh roughness.
Airflow
l
S
1500 mm
p S
 = 60°
Figure 9. Metal grit rib roughness
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 151
angle of attack of 61.9°, relative longway length of mesh value
of 46.87 and relative shortway length of mesh value of 25.
Maximum value of friction factor was reported for angle of
attack of 72°, relative longway length of mesh value of 71.87
and relative shortway length of mesh value of 15. Correlations
for Nusselt number and friction factor were developed.
Metal grit rib roughness
Karmare and Tikekar (2007) experimentally investigated the
heat transfer and friction factor characteristics of artificial
roughened rectangular duct of an aspect ratio 10:1 with
metal grit ribs (Figure 9). Authors reported that the presence
of metal grit ribs on collector surface of the duct yielded up to
two-fold enhancement in the Nusselt number and three-fold
enhancement in the friction factor for the range of parameters
studied. Artificially roughened plate having l/s=1.72, e/
D=0.044, P/e=17.5 showed the highest heat transfer perfor-
mance whereas artificially roughened plate having l/s=1.72, e/
D=0.044, P/e=12.5 showed highest friction factor. Optimum
performance was observed for the artificially roughened plate
having roughness parameters l/s=1.72, e/D=0.044, P/e=17.5
for the range of parameters studied. Based on the experimen-
tal data, correlations were developed for Nusselt number and
friction factor.
Karmare and Tikekar (2009) experimentally investigated
with metal rib grits (Figure 9). The study showed substantial
enhancement in thermal efficiency (10–35%) over solar air
heater with smooth collector plate. The thermal efficiency
Dia. of roughness wire = e = 2mm
p S
 = 60°
e = 2 mm
 150 A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK
enhancement was also accompanied by a considerable
increase in the pumping power requirement due to the
increase in the friction factor (80–250%).
Chamfered rib-roughness
Karwa, Solanki, and Saini (1999) performed an experimental
investigation of heat transfer and friction for the flow of air in
rectangular ducts with repeated chamfered rib-roughness on
one broad wall as shown in Figure 10. The aspect ratios of the
rectangular duct investigated were 4.8, 6.1, 7.75, 9.66, and 12.
The roughened wall was uniformly heated while the remain-
ing three walls were insulated. Friction factor and heat trans-
fer coefficient correlations were developed based on the law of
wall similarity and heat- momentum transfer analogy.
Authors reported that as compared to the smooth duct the
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presence of ribs at one broad wall of the duct yielded up to
about 2 and 3 times increase in the Stanton number and the
friction factor, respectively. The highest heat transfer and also
the highest friction factor were occurred for 15° chamfered
ribs. The roughness function was found to be independent of
the roughness Reynolds number for values of the roughness
Reynolds number greater than 20. The heat transfer function
increased with the increase in the aspect ratio from 4.65 to
9.66 and the roughness function decreased with the increase
in the aspect ratio from 4.65 to 7.75. Thereafter both the
functions attained nearly a constant value
Karwa, Solanki, and Saini (2001) conducted an experimen-
tal investigation of the performance of solar air heaters with
chamfered repeated rib-roughness (Figure 10) on the airflow
side of the absorber plates. Experiments carried out using two
identical parallel ducts, one with the roughened absorber plate
and the other with the smooth one. This study showed sub-
stantial enhancement in thermal efficiency (10 to 40%) over
solar air heaters with smooth absorber plates due to the
enhancement in the Nusselt number (50% to 120%). The
thermal efficiency enhancement was also accompanied by a
considerable enhancement in the pumping power require-
ment due to the increase in the friction factor (80% to
290%). A mathematical model for thermal performance pre-
diction was also presented.
V-shaped rib roughness
Momin, Saini, and Solanki (2002) experimentally investigated
the effect of geometrical parameters of V-shaped ribs
(Figure 11) on heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of
w P
e 
Air
Rib
Wires P
Air
Figure 11. V-shaped rib roughness.
rectangular duct of solar air heater. The following important
conclusions were drawn from this experiment: 1.The max-
imum enhancement of Nusselt number and friction factor as
a result of providing artificial roughness was found to be,
respectively, 2.30 and 2.83 times that of smooth duct for an
angle of attack of 60°. It was observed that the same angle of
attack corresponds to the maximum values of both Nusselt
number and friction factor. 2. The thermo-hydraulic perfor-
mance parameter improved with increasing the angle of attack
of flow and relative roughness height and the maxima
occurred with an angle of attack of 60°. 3. It was found that
for relative roughness height of 0.034 and for angle of attack
of 60°, the V-shaped ribs enhanced the values of Nusselt
number by 1.14 and 2.30 times over inclined ribs and smooth
plate case at Reynolds number of 17034. Correlations for heat
transfer and friction factor were developed.
Staggered discrete v-shaped rib roughness
Muluwork (2000) compared the thermal performance of stag-
gered discrete V-apex up and down ribs with corresponding
transverse staggered discrete ribs as shown in Figure 12. They
studied the effect of relative roughness length ratio (B/S),
relative roughness segment ratio (S’/S), relative roughness
staggering ratio (p’/p) and angle of attack (α) on the heat
transfer and friction factor. It was observed that the Nusselt
number increased with the increase in relative roughness
length ratio (B/S). Nusselt number for V-down discrete ribs
was found to be higher than the corresponding V-up and
transverse discrete roughened surfaces. Nusselt number
increased with increase in relative roughness staggering ratio
(p’/p) and attained a maximum value for relative roughness
staggering ratio (p’/p) value of 0.6. Heat transfer and friction
factor attained maximum values for angle of attack (α) 60°
and 70° respectively. Correlations for Nusselt number and
friction factor were developed.
Multi v-shaped rib roughness
Hans, Saini, and Saini (2010) carried out an experimental
investigation to study the effect of multiple V-rib roughness
(Figure 13) on heat transfer coefficient and friction factor in
an artificially roughened solar air heater. Correlations for
p
s
Flow Flow
(V-Down) (V-Up)
 152 A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK

w w w
W W W W

(a) W/w = 1 (b) W/w =2 (c) W/w = 3 (d) W/w = 4

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w
W
w w w w
Air Flow Air Flow Air Flow Air Flow
W W W W

(e) W/w = 5 (f) W/w = 6 (g) W/w = 8 (h) W/w = 10

Figure 13. Multi V-shaped rib roughness.

Nusselt number and friction factor in terms of roughness

geometry and flow parameters were developed. A maximum
enhancement of Nusselt number and friction factor due to
presence of multiple V-rib roughness was found to be 6 and 5
times, respectively, in comparison to the smooth duct for the
range of parameters considered. The maximum heat transfer
enhancement was found to occur for a relative roughness
width (W/w) value of 6 while friction factor attained max-
imum value for relative roughness width (W/w) value of 10. It
was also found that Nusselt number and friction factor
Figure 14. Discrete V-down rib roughness.
attained maxima corresponding to angle of attack (α) value
of 60°. Maximum enhancement of Nusselt number and fric-
tion factor was observed corresponding to relative roughness that for smooth duct was found to be 3.04 and 3.11 folds,
pitch (P/e) value of 8 while Nusselt number and friction factor respectively, for the investigated range of parameters. The
increased monotonically with increase in the value of relative maximum value of Nusselt number and friction factor
roughness height (e/D). occurred at P/e of 8.0, and these decreased on the both sides
of this pitch. Similar trend was observed for angle of attack
(α), relative gap position (d/w) and relative gap width (g/e)
Discrete v-down rib roughness
with maxima of both Nusselt number and friction factor
Singh, Chander, and Saini (2011) experimentally investigated occurred at 60°, 0.65 and 1.0, respectively. Statistical correla-
the heat and fluid flow characteristics of rectangular duct of a tions for Nusselt number and friction factor were developed
solar air heater having its one broad wall heated and rough- as function of Reynolds number and rib roughness
ened with periodic ‘discrete V-down rib’ as shown in parameters.
Figure 14. The maximum enhancement of Nusselt number Karwa and Chitoshiya (2013) presented the results of an
and friction factor for the roughened duct in comparison to experimental study of thermo-hydraulic performance of a

solar air heater with 60° V-down discrete rib roughness on the
airflow side of the absorber plate along with that for a smooth
duct air heater. The enhancement in the thermal efficiency
due to the roughness on the absorber plate was found to be
12.5–20% depending on the airflow rate; higher enhancement
was at the lower flow rate. The results of a detailed thermo-
hydraulic performance study of solar air heater with v-down
discrete rib roughness using the mathematical model were
also presented along with the effect of variation of various
parameters on the performance.
Multi v-shaped rib roughness with gap
Kumar, Saini, and Saini (2012b) carried out an experimental
investigation of the effect of geometrical parameters of Multi
V-shaped ribs with gap (Figure 15) on heat transfer and fluid
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flow characteristics of rectangular duct with heated plate
having rib roughness on its underside. The maximum
enhancement in Nusselt number and friction factor was
observed 6.32 and 6.12 times of that of the smooth duct,
respectively. The thermo-hydraulic performance parameter
was found the best for the relative gap distance of 0.69 and
the relative gap width of 1.0.
Kumar, Saini, and Saini (2013) presented the results of an
experimental investigation of heat transfer and friction in the
flow of air in rectangular ducts having multi V-shaped rib
with gap roughness (Figure 15) on one broad wall. As com-
pared to the smooth duct the presence of multi V-shaped rib
with gap artificial roughness yielded Nusselt number up to
6.74 times while the friction factor increased up to 6.37 times
in the range of parameters investigated. The maximum value
of friction factor occurred for multi v-shaped with gap rib
with relative roughness width of 10. Based on the experimen-
tal data, correlations for Nusselt number and friction factor
were developed as function of roughness parameters of multi
v-shaped with gap rib and flow Reynolds number.
Arc-shaped rib roughness
Saini and Saini (2008) experimentally studied the effect of arc-
shaped ribs on heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of
rectangular duct of solar air heater as shown in Figure 16. The
Figure 15. Multi V-shaped rib roughness with gap.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 153
P
Air
W
L
Figure 16. Arc-shaped rib roughness.
maximum enhancement in Nusselt number was obtained as
3.80 times corresponding to the relative arc angle (α/90) of
0.3333 at relative roughness height of 0.0422. However, the
increment in friction factor corresponding to these para-
meters was observed 1.75 times only. Based on the experi-
mental values, correlations for Nusselt number and friction
factor were developed.
Dimple-shaped rib roughness
Saini and Verma (2008) carried out an experimental investi-
gation on fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of solar
air heater duct having dimple-shaped artificial roughness
(Figure 17). The maximum value of Nusselt number was
found corresponds to relative roughness height (e/D) of
0.0379 and relative roughness pitch (P/e) of 10. While mini-
mum value of friction factor was found correspond to relative
roughness height (e/D) of 0.0289 and relative roughness pitch
(P/e) of 10. Based on experimental data collected during
investigation, correlations for Nusselt number and friction
factor were developed for the investigated system.
Dimple-shaped roughness arranged in angular arc shape
Sethi, Varun, and Thakur (2012) carried out an experimental
investigation of heat transfer and friction factor characteristics
of a solar air heater duct having dimple-shaped elements
arranged in angular fashion (arc) as roughness elements on
absorber plate (Figure 18). The maximum value of Nusselt
number was found corresponding to relative roughness height
of 0.036, relative roughness pitch of 10 and arc angle of 60°.
P
Air
Figure 17. Dimple-shaped rib roughness.
 154 A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK
Figure 18. Dimple-shaped rib roughness arranged in angular arc shape.
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The statistical correlations for Nusselt number and friction
factor were developed as a function of Reynolds number and
roughness geometry parameters.
Yadav et al. (2013) carried out an experimental investiga-
tion to study the effect of heat transfer and friction character-
istics of turbulent flow of air passing through rectangular duct
which is roughened by circular protrusions arranged in angu-
lar arc fashion (Figure 18). The roughened wall was uniformly
heated while other three walls were kept insulated. The max-
imum enhancement in heat transfer and friction factor was
2.89 and 2.93 times as compared with smooth duct.
Correlations for Nusselt number and friction factor were
developed. The maximum heat transfer enhancement and
friction factor attained maximum value for relative roughness
height (e/D) of 0.03 and relative roughness pitch (P/e) of 12.
It was found that Nusselt number and friction factor attained
maxima corresponding to arc angle (α) of 60°. Correlations
were developed for heat transfer coefficient and friction factor
for artificially roughened duct.
Rib-grooved roughness
Jaurker, Saini, and Gandhi (2006) experimentally investigated
the heat transfer and friction characteristics of rib-grooved
artificial roughness on one broad wall as shown in Figure 19.
The presence of rib-grooved artificial roughness yielded
Nusselt number and friction factor up to 2.7 and 3.6 times,
respectively, in comparison to smooth absorber plate. The
maximum heat transfer occurred for a relative roughness
g P Groove
Ribs
e
L face of an air heater duct as shown in Figure 21. As compared
Figure 19. Rib-grooved artificial roughness.
Figure 20. Chamfered rib-grooved roughness.
pitch (P/e) of about 6 and relative groove (g/P) value of 0.4.
It was found that the rib-grooved arrangement provided the
best thermo-hydraulic performance. Correlations for Nusselt
number and friction factor were developed.
Chamfered rib-grooved roughness
Layek, Saini, and Solanki (2007b) investigated heat transfer
and friction characteristics of repeated integral transverse
chamfered rib-groove roughness on one broad wall as
shown in Figure 20. Nusselt number and friction factor cor-
relations were developed. Authors reported: 1. Nusselt num-
ber and friction factor increased by 3.24 times and 3.78 times,
respectively, as compare to smooth duct. 2. The maximum
heat transfer enhancement occured for the relative roughness
pitch of 6 and relative groove position of 0.4. 3. The highest
Nusselt number occurred for chamfer angle of 18° but the
friction factor increased monotonously with an increase in
chamfer angle.
Layek, Saini, and Solanki (2009) carried out an experimen-
tal investigation on heat and fluid flow characteristics of fully
developed turbulent flow in a rectangular duct having
repeated integral transverse chamfered rib-groove roughness
on one broad wall as shown in Figure 20. Six roughened plates
were tested placing a 60° V-groove at the centre line in
between two consecutive chamfered ribs. The rib’s top was
chamfered having chamfer angles of 5°, 12°, 15°, 18°, 22°, and
30° while Relative roughness pitch, relative groove position,
and relative roughness height, were kept constant at 10, 0.5,
and 0.03, respectively. Roughened absorber plates increased
the Nusselt number and friction factor by 2.6 and 3.35 times
as compared to smooth surface. The maximum enhancement
of Nusselt number was found for chamfer angle of 18° but the
friction factor increased monotonously with increase in cham-
fer angle. A substantial improvement in the thermo-hydraulic
performance was obtained, as indicated by the performance
parameter value lying between 1.4 and 1.76 for the range of
experimentation.
Inverted u-shaped rib roughness
Bopche and Tandale (2009) carried out an experimental
investigation to study the heat transfer coefficient and friction
factor by using artificial roughness in the form of specially
prepared inverted U-shaped turbulators on the absorber sur-
to the smooth duct, the turbulator roughened duct enhanced
the heat transfer and friction factor by 2.82 and 3.72 times,
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 155

Maximum enhancement of Nusselt number and friction fac-

Pitch, p Direction of air flow (upstream) tor as a result of providing artificial roughness was found to
be 2.36 and 2.01 times, respectively, that of smooth duct for
angle of attack of 60°. Maximum thermo-hydraulic perfor-
e
mance was occurred at angle of attack of 60°. Correlations
were developed for heat transfer coefficient and friction factor
for roughened duct.
50 mm

12 mm
Discrete w-shaped rib roughness
Kumar, Bhagoria, and Sarviya (2009) experimentally investi-
2. 5 mm gated the heat transfer and friction characteristics in solar air
heater by using discrete W-shaped rib roughness (Figure 23)
Figure 21. Inverted U-shaped rib roughness. on one broad wall of solar air heater, with an aspect ratio of
8:1. The maximum enhancement of Nusselt number and
friction factor as a result of providing artificial roughness
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respectively. Authors reported that the turbulences generated was found to be 2.16 and 2.75 times that of smooth duct for
only in the viscous sub-layer region of boundary layer results an angle of attack of 60° and relative roughness height of
in better thermo-hydraulic performance i.e. maximum heat 0.0338. Correlations for heat transfer and friction were devel-
transfer enhancement at affordable friction penalty. The cor- oped as a function of roughness and flow parameters.
relations were developed for area averaged Nusselt number
and friction factor for turbulator roughened duct.
Transverse, inclined, v-up continuous, v-down
continuous, v-up discrete, and v-down discrete rib
W-shaped rib roughness roughness
Lanjewar, Bhagoria, and Sarviya (2011a) carried out an Karwa (2003) carried out a comparative experimental study of
experimental investigation of heat transfer and friction factor augmented heat transfer and friction in a rectangular duct
characteristics of a rectangular duct roughened with W- with transverse, inclined, V-up continuous, and V-down con-
shaped ribs arranged at an inclination with respect to the tinuous, V-up discrete ribs, and V-down discrete (Figure 24).
flow direction on its underside on one broad wall Stanton number and friction factor correlations were devel-
(Figure 22). W-shaped ribs were tested both pointing in
downstream W-down and upstream W-up to the flow.
Maximum enhancement in Nusslet number as a result of
providing artificial roughness was 136% for angle of attack
of 60° for W-down ribs and 124% for angle of attack of 60° for
W-up ribs over smooth plate. Maximum enhancement in
Friction factor as a result of providing artificial roughness
was 101% for angle of attack of 60° for W-down ribs and
135% for angle of attack of 60° for W-up ribs over the smooth
duct. Maximum thermo-hydraulic performance for W-down
ribs was 1.98 while it was 1.81 for W-up ribs in the range of
parameters investigated. Heat transfer and friction factor cor-
relations were developed.
Lanjewar, Bhagoria, and Sarviya (2011b) carried out an Figure 23. Discrete W-shaped rib roughness.
experimental investigation of heat transfer and friction factor
characteristics of rectangular duct roughened with W-shaped Wire pieces
P
ribs on its underside on one broad wall arranged at an
inclination with respect to flow direction (Figure 22).

Transverse V-up discrete

p
Air

60° Inclined V- down continuous

Air

V-up continuous V- down discrete

Figure 22. W-shaped rib roughness. Figure 24. Transverse, inclined, V-discrete, and V-continuous rib roughness.
 156 A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK
oped. The enhancement in Stanton number over smooth duct
was found to be 65–90%, 87–112%, 102–137%, 110–147%,
93–134%, 102–142% for transverse, inclined, V-up continu-
ous, V-down continuous, V-up discrete and V-down discrete
rib arrangement respectively. The friction factor ratios corre-
sponding to these arrangements were found as 2.68–2.94,
3.02–3.42, 3.40–3.92, 3.32–3.65, 2.35–2.47, and 2.46–2.58,
respectively. Study revealed that the V-down discrete rib
roughness secured the best thermal performance for the
same power consumption.
Angled continuous ribs, transverse continuous & broken
ribs, and discrete v-shaped rib roughness
Tanda (2011) experimentally investigated the heat transfer
coefficients and friction factors for a rectangular channel
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having one wall roughened by repeated ribs and heated at
uniform flux, while the remaining three walls were smooth
and insulated. Angled continuous ribs, transverse continuous
and broken ribs, and discrete V-shaped ribs were considered
as rib configurations (Figure 25). Different types of roughness
elements were considered in the study were: (i) 45 deg
inclined continuous ribs, (ii) transverse continuous ribs, (iii)
transverse broken ribs, (iv) discrete V-shaped ribs. It was
found that all the rib configurations considered performed
better than a reference smooth channel in the medium-low
range of the Reynolds number, which was that typically
encountered in solar air heater applications. In particular,
roughening the heat transfer surface by transverse broken
ribs appeared to be the most promising enhancement techni-
que of the investigated rib geometries.
The above comprehensive review revealed that quite a lot
of works have been reported on design of artificially rough-
ened solar air heater by experimental approach. Based on
the experimental studies carried out by various investigators,
correlation for Nusselt number and friction factor were devel-
oped. These correlations along with the range of parameters
investigated are presented in Table 1.
Computational fluid dynamics approach
Computational fluid dynamics or CFD is the analysis of
systems involving fluid flow, heat transfer and associated
P
d’
W d
P
Air
P CFD software, FLUENT 6.1. CFD analysis was performed on
L provided on the absorber plate. Shear stress transport k–ω
Figure 25. Transverse continuous/broken and V-shaped broken rib roughness.
phenomena such as chemical reactions by means of compu-
ter-based simulation. The technique is very powerful and
spans a wide range of industrial and nonindustrial application
areas.
The equations governing the fluid flow are the continuity
(conservation of mass), the Navier-Stokes (balance of
momentum), and the energy (conservation of energy) equa-
tions. These equations form a system of coupled nonlinear
partial differential equations (PDEs). Because of the coupled
nature of the equations and the presence of nonlinear terms,
the fluid flow equations are generally not amenable to analy-
tical method of obtaining the solution. In general, closed form
analytical solutions are possible only if these PDEs can be
made linear, either because non-linear terms naturally drop
out (as in the case of parallel flows or flows that are inviscid
and irrotational everywhere) or because the nonlinear terms
are small compared to other terms so that they can be
neglected (e.g., creeping flows, small amplitude sloshing of
liquid etc.). If the nonlinearities in the governing PDEs cannot
be neglected, which is often the case for most engineering
flows, one normally has to resort to numerical methods to
obtain solutions.
CFD is the art of replacing the differential equations gov-
erning the Fluid Flow, with a set of algebraic equations (this
process is called the discretization), which in turn can be
solved with the aid of a digital computer to get an approx-
imate solution. The commonly used discretization methods in
CFD analysis are the finite difference method (FDM), the
finite volume method (FVM), the finite element method
(FEM), and the boundary element method (BEM). Some
special cases of flow problems can also be solved using non-
standard method like, boundary integral methods, spectral
methods, and pseudo-spectral methods (Versteeg and
Malalasekera 1991; Tannehill, Andeson, and Pletcher 1997).
A lot of studies have been reported in the literature on
artificially roughened solar air heater for heat transfer
enhancement and so many experiments are going on right
now to optimize roughness parameters for heat transfer
enhancement. But very few attemptsDSTCERI
of CFD investigation
have been made so far due 2017-12-02
to complexity of flow pattern
11:45:05
and computational limitations. With the development of
--------------------------------------------
numerical methodology and RESEARCH high speed computers,
GAP better
solutions of fluid flow problems can be achieved. Ongoing
research yields software that improves the speed and accuracy
of complex simulation scenarios such as turbulent flows,
transonic flows etc.
Chaube, Sahoo, and Solanki (2006a) performed a compu-
tational analysis of heat transfer augmentation and flow char-
acteristics due to artificial roughness in the form of ribs on a
broad, heated wall of a rectangular duct of a solar air heater
for turbulent flow. A 2-D analysis of heat transfer and fluid
flow through a rectangular duct of an artificially roughened
solar air heater was carried out using commercially available
an artificially roughened solar air heater having ten different
rib shapes viz. rectangular, square, chamfered, triangular, etc.,
turbulence model was selected by comparing the predictions
of different turbulence models with experimental results
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Table 1. Summary of Heat Transfer and Friction Factor Correlations for Different Roughness Geometries used in Artificially Roughened Solar Air Heater
Correlations
Investigators Roughness Geometry Range of Parameters Heat Transfer and Friction Factor
Prasad and Saini Transverse wire rib e/D: 0.02-0.033 sffiffi.
f̄
ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi2ffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiΣ
ffiffiffiffi
St ¼ . Σ 0:53
(1988) roughness P/e: 10-20
Re: 5000–50000 1þ f
2 4:5ðe Þþ 0:28 0:57
Pr —0:95 =e P

ðWþ2BÞfs þWfr
f¼ 2ðWþBÞ
2
where fr ¼ 2
0:53
½0:95ðPÞ þ2:5 lnð D Þ—3:75]
e 2e
Nu ¼ St RePr
. Σ—0:054
Verma and Prasad Transverse wire rib Re: 5000–20,000 Nur ¼ 0:08596 Pe ðe=DÞ0:072 Re0:732; for eþ ≤ 24
(2000) roughness m: 0.01–0.06 . Σ—0:016 0:021P 0:802 þ
P/e: 10-40 e
Nu ¼
e/D: 0.01–0.03 .Σ P —0:206 — 0:243 1:25
0:02954 ðe=DÞ e Re ¼ e0:0245
f; for > 24r
e+: 8-42 h
. eΣ0:426 .PΣ2:94 . Σ2 i h . Σ2 i
Bhagoria, Saini, and Wedge shaped rib P/e: 60.17x Nur ¼ 1:89 × 10 r
e
=
ðDÞ —4Re 1:21
exp —0:71 ln P e ð[=10Þ—0:018 exp —1:5 ln [ 10
Solanki (2002) roughness ɸ−1.0264˂p/e˂12.12 D e

W/H: 5
e/D: 0.015–0.033 . eΣ0:99 .PΣ—0:52
ɸ: –8°–15° fr ¼ 12:44 Re—0:18 D e
ð [10Þ0:49
Re: 3000–18000
. eΣ0:001 .WΣ—0:06 h . Σ2 i
Gupta, Solanki, and Inclined wire rib e/D: 0.018–0.032 Nur ðfor eþ <35Þ ¼ 0:0024 Re1:084 exp —0:04 1 — α
Saini (1993) roughness P/e: 10
W/H: 6.8–11.5 D H 60

— 60
α: 30°–90° . e Σ—0:24 .WΣ—0:028 h . Σi
0 0071 0:88
exp α 2
Nu ðfor e þ
35Þ Re 0 475 1

Re: 5000–50000 r ≤ ¼ : D H —:
e+: 5–70 . eΣ0:196.WΣ—0:093
fr ¼ 0:1911 D H
Re—0:165 exp½—0:993ð1 — α70Þ2 ]

Aharwal, Gandhi, and Inclined continuous P/e: 4–10 . Σ0:51 . Σ2

Saini (2009) ribs roughness with Nur ¼ 0:012 eD Re1:148 ½f1 — 0:25 — Wd f0:01ð1 — geÞ2 gg]
e:1–2 mm
gap b: 2 mm . Σ0:72 —0:0836
fr ¼ 0:5 eD Re
e/D: 0.018—0.037
W/H: 5.87
α: 30°–90°
d/W: 0.167–0.5
g/e: 0.5–2
Re: 3000—18000
Varun, Saini, and Combination of P/e: 3–8 .Σ
¼ 0:0006 ReNur 1:213 Pe 0:0104
Singal (2008) transverse and inclined e/D: 0.030 . Σ— 0:0114
rib roughness Re: 2000–14000 f ¼ 1:08585 Rer 0:3685 Pe
e: 1.6 mm
P: 5–13
W/H: 10
Saini and Saini (1997) Expanded metal mesh e/D: 0.012-0.0390 . e Σ0:625 . Σ2:22 h . 2Σ i
S
roughness L/e: 25-71.87 D 10e
S/e: 15.62–46.87 Nur ¼ 4 × 10—4 Re1:22 × exp f—1:25 ln ðS=10eÞ g
hn . Σoi
Re: 1900–13000 × ðL=10eÞ2:66 exp —0:824 ln ðL=10eÞ2
.Σ . Σ . Σ
fr ¼ 0:815 Re—0:361 L 0:266 S —0:190 10e 0:591
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e 10e D

(Continued )

157
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158
Table 1. (Continued).
Correlations

A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK

Investigators Roughness Geometry Range of Parameters Heat Transfer and Friction Factor
Karmare and Tikekar Metal grit rib e/D: 0.035–0.044 . Σ .Σ .Σ
Nur ¼ 2:4 × 10—3 Re1:3 eD 0:42 l s —0:146 P e —0:27
(2007) roughness P/e: 12.5–36
l/s: 1.72–1 . eΣ0:91 . l Σ—0:27 .PΣ—0:51
fr ¼ 15:55 Re—0:26 D s e
Re: 4000–17,000
Karwa, Solanki, and Chamfered rib P/e: 4.5-8.5 for 7 ≤ eþ<20 .Σ
Saini (1999) roughness e/D: 0.014-0.032 . Σ 0 5. Σ 2 56
—0:006φ W : P — : × exp½0:7343f ln P g2 ]ðeþÞ—0:31
g ¼ 103:77e
H e e
ɸ: -15°-18°
W/H: 4.8-12 for 20 ≤ eþ ≤ 60
L/D: 32-66 . Σ0:5 .PΣ—2:56 .Σ
Re: 3000-20000 g ¼ 32:26e—0:006φ WH e
× exp½0:7343f ln Pe g2 ]ðeþÞ0:08
for 5 ≤ eþ<20
.WΣ—0:4 .PΣ2:659 .Σ
R ¼ 1:66e—0:00786φ H e
× exp½—0:762f ln P e g2 ]ðeþÞ—0:075
for 20 ≤ eþ ≤ 60
.WΣ—0:4 .PΣ2:659 .Σ
R ¼ 1:325e—0:00786φ H e
× exp½—0:762f ln P e g2 ]

. eDΣ0:424 . α60Σ—0:077 h . 60 Σ2 i
Momin, Saini, and V-shaped rib P/e: 10
Nur ¼ 0:067 Re0:888 exp —0:782 ln α
Solanki (2002) roughness W/H: 10.15

e/D: 0.02-0.034 . eΣ0:565 . α Σ—0:093 h . Σ2 i

α: -30°-90° fr ¼ 6:266 Re—0:425 exp —0:719 ln α
Re: 2500-18000 D 60 60
.Σ . Σ .Σ . Σ
1:299 B 1:346 S0 1:112 e 0:270 P0 0:762
. P 0 Σ2 h . . Σ2 Σi
Muluwork (2000) Staggered discrete V- e/D: 0.01-0.05 Nur ¼ 0:05344 Re × exp —2:25ln exp —0:376 ln 1 — α
shaped rib roughness α: 30°-90° S S D P P 60
B/S: 3-9 0:636 0 —0:712 0 —0:0936 2

.BSΣ .S Σ
P’/P: 0.2-0.8 ðP =PÞ exp½—1:26ðlnð1 — α=70ÞÞ ]
fr ¼ 0:7117 Re—0:299 S
S’/S: 1.1-2.3
Re: 3032-17652
Hans, Saini, and Saini Multi V-shaped rib e/D: 0.019–0.043 . Σ . Σ8:54 .WΣ0:43. α Σ—0:49
W/w: 1–10 Nur ¼ 3:35 × 10—5Re0:92 e 0:77 P
(2010) roughness D e w 90
α: 30°–75° Σ
Σ 2 Σ
" . . ΣΣ2 # n . α Σo2Σ
P/e: 6–12 W P

Re: 2000–20000 × exp f—0:1177ðln Þ g exp —2:0407 ln e × exp —0:61 ln

w e 90
. Σ0:73 .PΣ8:9 .WΣ0:22 . α Σ—0:39 h i h . . ΣΣ2i
fr ¼ 4:47 × 10—4 Re—0:3188 eD e w 90 × exp f—0:52ðln α Þ902 g exp —2:133 ln P e

Singh, Chander, and Discrete V-down rib P/e: 4-12 . Σ0:47 .PΣ3:52 .gΣ—0:014 . d Σ—0:043. α Σ—0:023
e/D: 0.015-0.043 Nur ¼ 2:36 × 10—3Re0:90 e
Saini (2011) roughness D e e w 60
d/w: 0.2-0.8 Σ " . . ΣΣ2 #
g/e: 0.5-2.0 Σ Σ " . . ΣΣ 2
# n .gΣo2 Σ
α 2 P d
Re: 3000–15,000 × exp f—0:72ðln Þ g exp —0:84 ln × exp —0:15 ln × exp —0:05 ln
α: 30°-75° 60 e e w
. Σ . Σ2:74 .gΣ0:031 . d Σ—0:058 . α Σ—0:034
fr ¼ 4:13 × 10—2Re—0:126 e 0:70 P
D e e w 60
" # Σ " . . ΣΣ2 #
Σ
α 2
Σ . .
P
ΣΣ 2 n .gΣo2 Σ d
× exp f—0:93ðln Þ g exp —0:685 ln × exp —0:21 ln × exp —0:058 ln w
60 e e
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(Continued )
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Table 1. (Continued).
Correlations
Investigators Roughness Geometry Range of Parameters Heat Transfer and Friction Factor
Kumar, Saini, and Multi V-shaped rib P/e: 6-12 . Σ . Σ1:196 . Σ—0:0708 . Σ—0:0348 . Σ—0:0239. Σ0:506
e/d: 0.022–0.043 Nur ¼ 8:532 × 10—3Re0:932 e 0:175 P g Gd α W
Saini (2013) roughness with gap D e e Lv 60 w
α: 30°–75° Σ
Re: 2000–17000 Σ Σ " . . ΣΣ2 # n .gΣo2 Σ
α 2 P
Gd/Lv: 0.24-0.80 × exp f0:1153ðln Þ g exp —0:2805 ln × exp —0:223 ln
60 e e
g/e: 0.5-1.5 " . . ΣΣ2 # " . . ΣΣ2 #
W/w: 1-10 W Gd
× exp —0:0753 ln w × exp —0:0653 ln Lv
w Lv
. e Σ0:268 P —0:7941 .gΣ—0:1769 Gd 0:0610. α Σ0:1553 .WΣ0:113
. Σ . Σ
0 3151
f ¼ D e
: e Lv 60 w
3:
Σ Σ " . . ΣΣ 2
# Σ n .gΣo2 Σ
1934× Rer α 2 P
× exp f—0:1527ðln Þ g exp 0:1468 ln × exp —0:6349 ln e
60 e
" . . ΣΣ2 # " . . ΣΣ2 #
W Gd
× exp 0:0974 ln × exp —0:1065 ln
w Lv
w Lv
. Σ . Σ
Saini and Saini (2008) Arc shaped rib W/H: 12 Nur ¼ 0:001047 Re1:3186 e 0:3772 α —0:1198
roughness P/e: 10
D 60

e/d: 0.0213–0.0422 .Σ . Σ
—0:17103 e 0:1765 α 0:1185
fr ¼ 0:14408 Re D 60
α/90: 0.3333–0.6666
Re: 2000–17 000
. eΣ0:033.pΣ3:15 h . Σ2 i h . Σ2 i
Saini and Verma Dimple shaped rib P/e: 8-12 Nur ¼ 5:2 × 10—4 Re1:27 exp —2:12 ln P × exp —1:3 ln e
(2008) roughness e/D: 0.0189- D D e e ee D

0.038
Re: 2000–12000 . eΣ—0:0214.pΣ—0:465 h . Σ2 i h . Σ2 i
fr ¼ 0:642 Re—0:465 exp 0:054 ln P × exp 0:840 ln e

Sethi, Varun, and Dimple shaped W/H: 11 . e Σ0:3629 .PΣ—0:047 . α Σ—0:0048 h . . ΣΣ2 i
Thakur (2012) roughness arranged in e/D: 0.021–0.036 Nur ¼ 7:1 × 10—3 Re1:1386 × exp —0:7792 ln α

arc shape P/e: 10–20 . e Σ0:2663 .PΣ—0:059 . α Σ—0:0042 2

α: 45°–75° fr ¼ 4:869 × 10—1 Re—0:223 D e 60 × exp½—0:4801ðlnð α ÞÞ
60 ]

e/d: 0.5
Re: 3600–18,000
. e Σ0:521 .PΣ—0:038 . α Σ—0:213 h . ΣΣ2 i
Yadav et al. (2013) Dimple shaped W/H: 11 Nur ¼ 0:154Re1:017 × exp —2:023 ln α
D e 60
roughness arranged in e/D: 0.015–0.03 .
60
.Σ .Σ . Σ
—0:56 e 0:176 P —0:18 α 0:038
arc shape P/e: 12–24 fr ¼ 7:027Re × exp½—1:412ðlnð α 2

α: 45°–75° D e 60 60ÞÞ ]
e/d: 0.3
Re: 3600–18,100
. e Σ0:349.PΣ3:318 .gΣ1:108 h . . ΣΣ2 i h . . ΣΣ2 . ΣΣ3 i
Jaurker, Saini, and Rib-grooved P/e: 4.5-10 Nur ¼ 0:00206Re0:936 D e P
× exp —0:868 ln P e × exp 2:486 ln g P þ 1:406 ln g .
Gandhi (2006) roughness e/D: 0.0181-0.0363 P

Re: 3000-21000 h
g/P: 0.3-0.7 . e Σ0:585.PΣ7:19 .gΣ0:645 . . ΣΣ2i . . ΣΣ2
fr ¼ 0:001227Re—0:199 × exp —1:854 ln P × exp½1:513 ln g þ 0:8662flnðg=PÞg3 ]
 ONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY
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Layek, Saini, and Chamfered rib- P/e: 4.5-10 . e Σ0:52.PΣ1:72 .gΣ—1:21 h i h . ΣΣ2 i h . . ΣΣ2 i
Nur ¼ 0:00225Re0:92 e 2 g exp —0:46 ln P P
[1:24 × exp f—0:22ðln[Þ
P × exp —0:74 ln g
Solanki (2007b) grooved roughness e/D: 0.022-0.04
. DΣ0:365.ePΣ4:32 .PgΣ—1:124 h . . ΣΣ2 i h. . i
P
g/P: 0.3-0.6 fr ¼ 0:00245Re—0:124 e × exp½0:005[]exp —1:09 ln P e
× exp —0:68 ln g 2
. ΣΣ
ɸ: -5°-30° D e P e P
Re: 3000-21000
(Continued )

159
D

D e 60 60

D e
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Table 1. (Continued).
Correlations

160
Investigators Roughness Geometry Range of Parameters Heat Transfer and Friction Factor
Bopche and Bopche Inverted U- Inverted U- P/e: 6.669-57.14 .Σ .Σ
Nur ¼ 0:5429 Re0:7054 eD 0:3619 Pe —0:1592
and Tandale (2009) shaped rib roughness P: 10– 40 mm

A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK

e: 0.7–1.5 mm . eDΣ0:3285 .PeΣ—0:4259
fr ¼ 1:2134 Re—0:2376
e/D: 0.018—0.0396
W/H: 6
α: 90°
Re: 3800–18000
Lanjewar, Bhagoria, W-shaped rib P/e: 10 Heat transfer function:
and Sarviya roughness 2
e: 1.5 mm for W-down 75°g ¼ 12:6813 — 0:03606eþ þ 0:0069ðeþÞ
(2011a) e/D: 0.03375 2
for W-down 60°g ¼ 11:86 — 0:03321eþ þ 0:0062ðeþ Þ for
W/H: 8
Re: 2300–14,000 W-down 45°g ¼ 11:4519 — 0:3116eþ þ 0:0062ðeþÞ for 2
2
α: 30°-75° W-down 30°g ¼ 13:8061 — 0:04434eþ þ 0:0089ðeþÞ for
e+: 8–44 W-up 75°g ¼ 21:3772 — 0:8365e þ 0:0140ðe Þ
þ þ 2

2
for W-up 60°g ¼ 18:3937 — 0:6578eþ þ 0:0106ðeþÞ
þ 2
for W-up 45°g ¼ 19:9017 — 0:7837e þ 0:0135ðe Þ
þ
2
for W-up 30°g ¼ 20:4328 — 0:9177eþ þ 0:0174ðeþÞ
Roughness function:
0:1716
for W-down 75°R ¼ 4:5496ðeþÞ
þ 0:1824
for W-down 60°R ¼ 4:3375ðe Þ
for W-down 45°R ¼ 4:4037ðeþÞ 0:1945
for W-down 30°R ¼ 4:8641ðeþÞ 0:1889
for W-up 75°R ¼ 3:4705ðeþ Þ 0:2281
for W-up 60°R ¼ 3:1321ðeþ Þ 0:2566
for W-up 45°R ¼ 3:4126ðeþ Þ 0:2437
for W-up 30°R ¼ 4:2970ðeþ Þ 0:2262
Lanjewar, Bhagoria, W-shaped rib P/e: 10 . Σ0:4487. α Σ—0:1331 h . Σ2 i
Nur ¼ 0:0613 Re0:9079 eD exp —0:5307 ln α 60
and Sarviya roughness e: 0.8-1.5 mm 60
(2011b) e/D: 0.018-0.03375 . eΣ0:4622 . α Σ—0:0817 h . Σ2 i
W/H: 8 fr ¼ 0:6182 Re—0:2254 D 60 exp —0:28 ln α60
Re: 2300–14,000
α: 30°-75°
. eΣ0:453 . α Σ—0:081 h . Σ2 i
Kumar, Bhagoria, and Discrete W-shaped rib e: 0.75–1.5mm Nur ¼ 0:105 Re0:873 exp —0:59 ln α
Sarviya (2009) roughness P/e: 10
D 60 60

e/D: 0.0168–0.0338 . DΣ . 60Σ

—0:4 e 0:59 α —0:081
h . 60 Σ2 i
fr ¼ 5:68 Re exp —0:59 ln α
W/H: 8:1
α: 30–75°
Re: 3000–15000
Karwa (2003) Transverse, inclined, V- P/e: 10 Heat transfer function:
up continuous, V- W/H: 7.19—7.75 for inclined ribg ¼ 12:765 — 0:05095eþ þ 0:000506ðeþÞ
2

down continuous, V- e/D: 0.0467-0.05 2

for V-up continuous ribg ¼ 12:387 — 0:04547e þ 0:000408ðeþ Þ for
þ
up discrete and V- α: 60°-90° 2
down discrete rib B/S: 3.0 V-down continuous ribg ¼ 12:502 — 0:11609e þ 0:001239ðe Þ for
þ þ
2
roughness Re: 2800-15000 V-up discrete ribg ¼ 11:249 — 0:013120e þ 0:001479ðe Þ
þ þ

for V-down discrete ribg ¼ 11:070 — 0:14900eþ þ 0:001757ðeþ Þ 2

Roughness function:
0:12770
for inclined ribR ¼ 3:7135ðeþ Þ
for V-up continuous ribR ¼ 3:5080ðeþ Þ 0:12195
for V-down continuous ribR ¼ 3:4595ðeþÞ 0:13048
for V-up discrete ribR ¼ 4:0917ðeþ Þ 0:16083
for V-down discrete rib R
0:19102
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¼ : 41ðeþÞ
5
3 3
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 161

G.I. Sheet, 22 Gauge thick Arc Shaped Wires


 325



500 1500 400

2400

Figure 27. Arc-shaped rib roughness.

140
For e/D = 0.0299
/90 = 0.333
120 RE = 14000
RE = 10000

100

Nusselt number (Nu)

Figure 26. Comparison between CFD predictions with experimental results.
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80
available in the literature (Figure 26). The results obtained
from CFD approach were reported to be closer to the experi- 60
mental results. The highest heat transfer was achieved with
chamfered ribs but the best performance index was found
with rectangular rib of size 3 × 5 mm. The peaks of local 40

heat transfer were found at the reattachment points and the

turbulence intensity was found maximum at peak of the local
heat transfer coefficient in the inter-rib regions.
Chaube, Sahoo, and Solanki (2006b) carried out a 2-D
computational analysis to assess the comparative performance
of the absorber plate of a solar air heater with different
roughness elements using commercial software package
FLUENT 6.1. The assessment was based on the heat transfer
enhancement with minimum pressure penalty. Ten different
ribs shapes viz. rectangular, square, chamfered, triangular,
semicircular etc. were investigated at the Reynolds number
range from about 3000–20000. The SST k–ω turbulence
model was selected by comparing the predictions of different
turbulence models with experimental results available in the
literature. The results showed that in rectangular ribs, there
was an optimum width of rib, at which maximum heat trans-
fer with minimum pressure drop penalty occurred. The
thermo-hydraulic analysis for constant pumping power
showed that rectangular rib (1 mm × 2 mm) gave the best
performance in comparison to other shapes under considera-
tion. It was also observed that both the flow regimes, transi-
tionally rough and fully rough, the effect of chamfer angle in
enhancement of heat transfer was very small in comparison to
the enhancement of friction factor.
Kumar and Saini (2009) carried out a CFD based analysis
of fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of a solar air
heaters having roughened duct provided with artificial rough-
ness in arc shaped geometry (Figure 27). The heat transfer
and flow analysis of the chosen roughness element were
carried out using 3-D models. The ribs were provided on
the absorber plate whereas other sides of the duct are kept
smooth. FLUENT 6.3.26 commercial CFD code was used for
simulation. Different turbulent models namely Shear stress
transport k–ω, Standard k–ε Renormalization group (RNG) k–
ε, and Realizable k–ε were tested for smooth duct having
same cross-section of roughened duct in order to find out the
20
0
0.075 0.080 0.085 0.090 0.095 0.100 0.105 0.110 0.115
Length (m)
Figure 28. Variation of Nusselt number in inter-rib region along the length of
duct.
validity of the models. Among all the models used,
Renormalization-group (RNG) k–ε model results were found
DSTCERI
to have good agreement. Authors also presented the variation
2017-12-02 11:57:59
in the values of Nusselt number between adjacent ribs
--------------------------------------------
(Figure 28). Overall enhancement ratio with
TURBULENT a maximum
MODEL
value of 1.7 was found for the roughness geometry corre-
sponding to relative arc angle (α/90) of 0.333 and relative
roughness height (e/D) of 0.0426 for the range of parameters
considered.
Karmare and Tikekar (2010) performed a CFD simulation
of fluid flow and heat transfer in a solar air heater duct with
metal grit ribs as roughness elements employed on one broad
wall of a solar air heater. Commercial CFD code FLUENT
6.2.16 was used as a solver. Standard k–ε turbulence model
was used to simulate turbulent airflow through artificially
roughened solar air heater. The circular, triangular and square
shape rib grits with the angle of attack of 54°, 56°, 58°, 60°,
and 62° were tested for the same Reynolds number. The broad
wall was subjected to uniform heat flux. Authors found that
artificial roughness on the underside of the absorber plate of
the solar air heater enhances the rate of heat transfer from the
absorber plate to the flowing air. Amongst the different shape
and orientations analyzed, the absorber plate of square cross-
section rib with 58° angle of attack gave the best possible
results. The percentage increase in the heat transfer for 58°
 162 A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK
rib inclination plate over smooth plate was found to be
about 30%.
Gandhi and Singh (2010) performed a numerical investiga-
tion to investigate the effect of artificial surface roughness on
flow through a rectangular duct having bottom wall rough-
ened with repeated transverse ribs of wedge-shaped cross-
section. Two dimensional numerical modeling of the duct
flow using FLUENT showed reasonably good agreement
with the experimental observations except for the friction
factor. Numerical results obtained by commercial computa-
tional fluid dynamics code FLUENT were compared with the
experimental results.
Sharma and Thakur (2012) conducted a CFD study to
investigate the heat transfer and friction loss characteristics
in a solar air heater having attachments of V-shaped ribs
roughness at 60° relative to flow direction pointing down-
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stream on underside of the absorber plate. The computations
based on the finite volume method with the SIMPLE algo-
rithm were conducted for the air flow. For validating the
accuracy of numerical solutions, the computations of fully
developed turbulent flow forced convection in a smooth rec-
tangular duct was carried out to compare with the exact
solution for the Nusselt number and friction factor,
respectively.
Yadav and Bhagoria (2013b) conducted a numerical pre-
diction to study only heat transfer behavior of a rectangular
duct of a solar air heater having triangular rib roughness on
the absorber plate. A commercial finite volume package
ANSYS FLUENT 12.1 was used as a solver. Solar air heater
with triangular rib roughness provided 1.4 to 2.7 times
enhancement in Nusselt number as compared to smooth
duct. The maximum value of Nusselt number was found
corresponding to relative roughness pitch of 10.
Figure 29. Different configurations of circular sectioned rib roughness.
Yadav and Bhagoria (2013c) presented the study of heat
transfer and fluid flow in an artificially roughened solar air
heater provided with circular transverse wire rib roughness on
the absorber plate by using computational fluid dynamics
(Figure 29). A two-dimensional CFD simulation was per-
formed using the ANSYS FLUENT 12.1 code. The
Renormalization-group (RNG) k–ε model was selected as the
most appropriate. The results were validated by comparing
with available experimental results. Maximum value of ther-
mal enhancement factor was found to be 1.65 for the range of
parameters investigated.
Yadav and Bhagoria (2013d) presented the numerical pre-
diction of fluid flow and heat transfer in a conventional solar
air heater by CFD. A commercial finite volume package
ANSYS FLUENT 12.1 was used to analyze the nature of the
flow across the duct of a conventional solar air heater. The
predictive ability of five different turbulence models, includ-
ing, standard k−ε turbulence model, Realizable k−ε turbulence
model, Renormalized Group (RNG) k−ε turbulence model,
standard k−ω turbulence model, and Shear Stress Transport
(SST) k−ω turbulence model were investigated. CFD simula-
tion results were found to be in good agreement with existing
empirical correlation results. It was found that the Nusselt
number increased with increase in Reynolds number and
friction factor decreased with increase in Reynolds number.
Yadav and Bhagoria (2013e) conducted a numerical analy-
sis of the heat transfer and flow friction characteristics in an
artificially roughened solar air heater having square sectioned
transverse ribs roughness considered at underside of the top
heated wall (Figure 30). The thermo-hydraulic performance
parameter under the same pumping power constraint was
calculated in order to examine the overall effect of the relative
roughness pitch. The maximum value of thermo-hydraulic

Figure 30. Roughened absorber plate with different configuration of square-sectioned transverse rib roughness.
performance parameter was found to be 1.82 corresponding
to relative roughness pitch of 10.71.
Yadav and Bhagoria (2013f) performed a CFD based inves-
tigation of turbulent flows through a solar air heater rough-
ened with square sectioned transverse rib roughness. Three
different values of rib-pitch (P) and rib-height (e) were taken
such that the relative roughness pitch (P/e=14.29) remains
constant (Figure 31). The relative roughness height, e/D,
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varies from 0.021 to 0.06 and Reynolds number, Re, varies
from 3800 to 18,000. The results predicted by CFD showed
that the average heat transfer, average flow friction and
thermo-hydraulic performance parameter were strongly
dependent on the relative roughness height. A maximum
value of thermo-hydraulic performance parameter was found
to be 1.8 for the range of parameters investigated.
Selection of best turbulence model for the simulation of an
artificially roughened solar air heater has been described
clearly in the Yadav and Bhagoria (2013g). Authors presented
different CFD investigations on artificially roughened solar air
heater. Authors also reported that the results obtained by
RNG k–ε model were in good agreement with the experimen-
tal results.
Yadav and Bhagoria (2014a) carried out a numerical inves-
tigation of turbulent flows through a solar air heater rough-
ened with semicircular sectioned transverse rib roughness on
the absorber plate (Figure 32). The physical problem was
represented mathematically by a set of governing equations,
and the transport equations were solved using the finite
element method. The numerical results showed that the flow-
field, average Nusselt number, and average friction factor
Figure 31. Roughened absorber plate with different arrangement of square sectioned transverse rib roughness.
Figure 32. Sketch of the computational domain.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 163
are strongly dependent on the relative roughness height. The
thermo-hydraulic performance parameter was found to be the
maximum for the relative roughness height of 0.042.
Yadav and Bhagoria (2014b) carried out a numerical
investigation to analyze the two-dimensional incompressible
Navier-Stokes flows through the artificially roughened solar
air heater for relevant Reynolds number ranges from 3800 to
18,000. Twelve different configurations of equilateral trian-
gular sectioned rib (P/e=7.14–35.71 and e/d=0.021–0.042)
have been used as roughness element (Figures 33 and 34).
The governing equations were solved with a finite-volume-
based numerical method. The commercial finite-volume-
based CFD code ANSYS FLUENT was used to simulate
turbulent airflow through artificially roughened solar air
heater. The RNG k–ε turbulence model was used to solve
the transport equations for turbulent flow energy and dis-
sipation rate. A total numbers of 432,187 quad grid intervals
with a near wall elements spacing of y+≈2 were used. It was
observed that for a given constant value of heat flux (1000
W/m2), the performance of the artificially roughened solar
air heater was strong function of the Reynolds number,
relative roughness pitch, and relative roughness height. The
optimum value of thermo-hydraulic performance parameter
was found corresponds to relative roughness height (e/D) of
0.042 and relative roughness pitch (P/e) of 7.14. The opti-
mum value of thermo-hydraulic performance parameter was
found to be 2.11 for Reynolds number (Re) of 15,000 within
the range of the parameters investigated.
A numerical investigation on the heat transfer and fluid
flow characteristics of fully developed turbulent flow in a
 164 A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK
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Figure 33. Computational domain for CFD analysis: (a) smooth solar air heater (b) equilateral triangular-sectioned rib roughened solar air heater.

Figure 34. Different configurations of equilateral triangular sectioned rib roughness.

rectangular duct having repeated transverse square sectioned
rib roughness on the absorber plate was carried out by Yadav
and Bhagoria (2014c). The commercial finite-volume CFD
code ANSYS FLUENT (ver. 12.1) was used to simulate turbu-
lent airflow through artificially roughened solar air heater.
The Navier–Stokes equations and the energy equation were
solved in conjunction with a low Reynolds number RNG k–ε
turbulence model. Twelve different configurations of square
sectioned rib (P/e = 7.14–35.71 and e/D = 0.021–0.042) were
considered (Figures 35 and 36). The effects of relative rough-
ness pitch and relative roughness height on Nusselt number
and friction factor were determined and the results were
compared with the square sectioned rib roughened duct and
smooth duct under similar flow conditions to investigate the
enhancement in Nusselt number and friction factor.
Roughness and flow parameters for artificially roughened
solar air heater were optimized by considering the thermo-
hydraulic performance parameter based on constant pumping
power requirement. It was found that the square sectioned
transverse rib roughened duct with P/e = 10.71 and e/D=0.042
offers the best thermo-hydraulic performance parameter for
the investigated range of parameters.
Yadav and Bhagoria (2014d) investigated the effect of rib
spacing on average Nusselt number and friction factor in an
artificially roughened solar air heater (duct aspect ratio, AR =
5:1) by adopting CFD approach. Numerical solutions were

Figure 35. Sketch of the computational domain.
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Figure 36. Different configurations of square sectioned rib roughness.
obtained using commercial software ANSYS FLUENT v12.1.
The computations based on the finite volume method with
the SIMPLE algorithm were been conducted. Circular sec-
tioned transverse ribs were applied at the underside of the
top of the duct i.e. on the absorber plate. The rib-height-to-
hydraulic diameter ratio (e/D) was 0.042. The rib-pitch-to-rib-
Figure 37. Contour map of turbulence intensity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 165
height (P/e) ratios studied were 7.14, 10.71, 14.29, and 17.86.
For each rib spacing simulations were executed at six different
relevant Reynolds numbers from 3800 to 18,000. The contour
map of turbulence intensity for relative roughness pitch, P/e =
7.14 and Reynolds number, Re = 15000 is displayed in
Figure 37. The thermo-hydraulic performance parameter for
 166 A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK

P/e = 10.71 was found to be the best for the investigated range
of parameters at a Reynolds number of 15,000.
The present comprehensive review of literature reveals that
very few studies have been done on prediction of heat transfer
and fluid flow in solar air heater using CFD approach. CFD
modeling was originally developed for industrial application.
Today it is being used widely in research work, product
development, and in almost all sphere of activity where a
detailed picture of phenomena involving heat transfer and
fluid flow, phase change etc. is desired. Presently, CFD tech-
niques are increasingly used to model flow through solar air
heater. The advantages of computational simulations are that
they can produce extremely large volumes of results at vir-
tually no added expense and it is very cheap to perform
parametric studies to optimize equipment performance. The
second reason for such work on computational simulation is
that some parameters are difficult to test, and experimental
study is expensive as well as time consuming. The results
obtained with the CFD simulation are of acceptable quality.
The above comprehensive review reveals that quite a lot of
works have been reported on design of artificially roughened
solar air heater by experimental approach. But, only a few
studies have been done on theoretical and CFD simulation of
artificially roughened solar air heater. Different computational
methodology, CFD codes and turbulence models along with
the type of roughness geometries, meshing and difference
between experimental and simulation results are given in
Table 2.

Table 2. Summary of CFD Simulations of Artificially Roughened Solar Air Heater.

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Difference Between Experimental and

Investigators Roughness Geometry Computational Methodology Simulation Results
Chaube, Sahoo, and Rectangular, square, chamfered, triangular and semi- ● CFD Code: Fluent 6.1 Good agreement observed
Solanki (2006a) circular rib roughness ● Turbulence Model: SST k–ω
● Mesh: Rectangular, Nonuniform

Chaube, Sahoo, and Rectangular, square, chamfered, triangular and semi- ● CFD Code: Fluent 6.1 Good agreement observed
Solanki (2006b) circular rib roughness ● Turbulence Model: SST k–ω
● Mesh: Rectangular, Nonuniform
Kumar and Saini (2009) Arc-shaped rib roughness ● CFD Code: Fluent 6.3.26 Good agreement observed
● Turbulence Model: RNG k–ε
● Mesh: Nonuniform

Karmare and Tikekar Metal grit rib roughness ● CFD Code: Fluent 6.2.16 Good agreement observed
(2010) ● Turbulence Model: RNG k–ε
● Mesh: Nonuniform
Gandhi and Singh (2010) Wedge-shaped transverse rib roughness ● CFD Code: Fluent Good agreement observed except for
● Turbulence Model: k–ω the friction factor
● Mesh: Nonuniform

Sharma and Thakur V- shaped rib roughness ● CFD Code: Fluent Nusselt number ±3%
(2012) ● Turbulence Model: Realizable k–ε friction factor ±3%
● Mesh: Uniform

Yadav and Bhagoria Triangular rib roughness ● CFD Code: Fluent 12.1 Good agreement observed
(2013b) ● Turbulence Model: RNG k–ε
● Mesh: Nonuniform

Yadav and Bhagoria Circular sectioned transverse wire rib roughness ● CFD Code: Fluent 12.1 Nusselt number ±7.5%
(2013c) ● Turbulence Model: RNG k–ε friction factor ±7.5%
● Mesh: Nonuniform

Yadav and Bhagoria —- ● CFD Code: Fluent 12.1 Nusselt number ±2.58%
(2013d) ● Turbulence Model: RNG k–ε friction factor ±3.2%
● Mesh: Nonuniform

Yadav and Bhagoria Square sectioned transverse ribs roughness ● CFD Code: Fluent 12.1 Nusselt number ±10%
(2013e) ● Turbulence Model: RNG k–ε
● Mesh: Uniform

Yadav and Bhagoria Square sectioned transverse ribs roughness ● CFD Code: Fluent 12.1 Less than ±10%
(2013f) ● Turbulence Model: RNG k–ε
● Mesh: Nonuniform

Yadav and Bhagoria Semi-circular sectioned transverse rib roughness ● CFD Code: Fluent 12.1 Less than ±9.5%
(2014a) ● Turbulence Model: RNG k–ε
● Mesh: Non-uniform
(Continued )

Table 2. (Continued).
Investigators Roughness Geometry
Yadav and Bhagoria Equilateral triangular sectioned rib roughness
(2014b)
Yadav and Bhagoria Square sectioned transverse ribs roughness
(2014c)
Yadav and Bhagoria Circular sectioned transverse wire rib roughness
(2014d)
Effect of rib geometry on thermo-hydraulic
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performance of an artificially roughened solar
air heater
The present comprehensive literature review reveals that there
is a considerable enhancement in heat transfer with penalty of
friction in artificially roughened solar air heater. Therefore, it
is important to determine the best rib shape that will results in
the maximum enhancement in heat transfer with minimum
consumption of pumping power. An important thermo-
hydraulic performance evaluation parameter which is used
to compare the heat transfer of artificially roughened duct to
that of a smooth duct under constant pumping power con-
straint has been given by Equation (7). A comparative inves-
tigation has been carried out on different roughness
geometries in order to compare their performance in terms
of thermo-hydraulic performance parameter, when they oper-
ate in the same conditions. The values of thermo-hydraulic
performance parameter for different rib shapes have been
computed by using the correlations for heat transfer and
friction factor developed by various investigators within the
same investigated range of operating and system parameters.
In this article, a total number of 21 different shapes and
orientations of roughness elements are considered for com-
parative analysis. The fixed values of parameters considered
under the present investigation are given in Table 3.
Figure 38 shows the variation of thermo-hydraulic perfor-
mance parameter with Reynolds number for different rough-
ness geometries used in solar air heaters duct. The thermo-
hydraulic performance parameter initially tends to increase
Table 3. Fixed Value of Geometrical and Operating Parameters.
Geometrical and Operating Parameters
Length of duct, L (mm) 1000
Height of duct, H (mm) 20
Width of duct, W (mm) 300
Duct aspect ratio, W/H 15
Reynolds number, Re 3800–18000 (6 values)
Angle of attack of flow, α (deg) 60°
Intensity of solar radiation, I (W/m2) 800
Chamfer angle, φ (deg) 10°
Relative roughness pitch, P/e 10
Relative roughness height, e/D 0.02
Density of air, ρ (kg/m3) 1.105
Specific heat of air, Cp (J/kg-k) 1008
Thermal conductivity of air, k (J/kg-m-k) 0.026
Viscosity of air, μ (kg/s-m) 1.865 × 10−5
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 167
Difference Between Experimental and
Computational Methodology Simulation Results
● CFD Code: Fluent 12.1 Good agreement observed
● Turbulence Model: RNG k-ε
● Mesh: Combination of uniform
and non-uniform
● CFD Code: Fluent 12.1 Good agreement observed
● Turbulence Model: RNG k-ε
● Mesh: Uniform
● CFD Code: Fluent 12.1 Less than ±5.5%
● Turbulence Model: RNG k-ε
● Mesh: Non-uniform
with the rise of Reynolds number and then decreases with the
further rise of Reynolds number. Hence there is an optimum
value of relative roughness height, relative roughness pitch,
and Reynolds number which give the maximum thermo-
hydraulic performance parameter. This comparative analysis
has proved that amongst the entire roughness geometries
considered, arc-shaped rib geometry has the highest thermo-
hydraulic performance parameter as compared to other
roughness geometries.
Conclusions
This article reviews results of theoretical, experimental and
CFD investigations carried out by various researchers in order
to enhance the heat transfer by the use of different shapes,
sizes, and orientations of artificial roughness. Based on the
review of the literature on artificial roughness used in solar air
heater, it has been found that small height roughness element of
different configuration was widely investigated through theore-
tical, experimental, and CFD approaches and CFD studies also
predict same behaviour as the experimental results. It is also
concluded that most of the studies were carried out on solar air
heater with experimental approach and few studies were carried
out with theoretical and CFD approaches. On the basis of the
review of the literature on artificial roughness used in solar air
heater, the conclusion can be summarized as follows:
(1) The use of artificial roughness on a surface is an
effective technique to enhance heat transfer to fluid
flowing in the duct. Artificial roughness applied on
the heat transferring surface breaks the viscous sub-
layer, which reduces thermal resistance and promotes
turbulence in a region close to artificially roughened
Fixed Value
surface.
(2) It can be concluded that the use of artificial roughness
results in higher friction and hence higher pumping
power requirements. In order to keep the friction
DSTCERI
losses at a minimum2017-12-02
level, the12:10:12
turbulence must be
created only in the region very close to the duct sur-
--------------------------------------------
face, i.e. in laminar sub-layer.
TASK
(3) The surface roughness can be produced by several
methods, such as sand blasting, machining, casting,
forming, welding, or fixing ribs of small diameter
wires to form a grid. In solar air heaters, artificial
 168 A. S. YADAV AND M. K. THAPAK

2.6
P/e = 10 e/D = 0.02 W/H = 15
Angle of attack = 60 degree
Re = 3800-18000
2.4

Thermo-hydraulic Performance Parameter

2.2

2.0

1.8

1.6

1.4
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1.2

1.0
2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 20000

Reynolds Number, Re

Transverse wire rib roughness (Verma and Pradad 2000)

Wedge shaped rib roughness (Bhagoria, Saini, and Solanki 2002)
Inclined wire rib roughness (Gupta, Solanki, and Saini 1993)
Inclined continuous ribs roughness with gap (Aharwal, Gandhi, and Saini 2009)
Combination of transverse and inclined rib roughness (Varun, Saini, and Singal 2008)
Expanded metal mesh roughness (Saini and Saini 1997)
Metal grit rib roughness (Karmare and Tikekar 2007)
Chamfered rib roughness (Karwa, Solanki, and Saini 1999)
V-shaped rib roughness (Momin, Saini, and Solanki 2002)
Staggered discrete V-shaped rib roughness (Muluwork 2000)
Multi V-shaped rib roughness (Hans, Saini, and Saini 2010)
Discrete V-down rib roughness (Singh,Chander, and Saini 2011)
Multi V-shaped rib roughness with gap (Kumar, Saini, and Saini 2013)
Arc shaped rib roughness (Saini and Saini 2008)
Dimple shaped rib roughness (Saini and Verma 2008)
Dimple shaped roughness arranged in arc shape (Sethi, Varun, and Thakur 2012)
Rib-grooved roughness (Jaurker, Saini, and Gandhi 2006)
Chamfered rib-grooved roughness (Layek, Saini, and Solanki 2007b)
Inverted U-shaped rib roughness (Bopche and Tandale 2009)
W-shaped rib roughness (Lanjewar, Bhagoria, and Sarviya 2011b)
Discrete W-shaped rib roughness (Kumar, Bhagoria, and Sarviya 2009)

Figure 38. Variation of thermo-hydraulic performance parameter with Reynolds number.

roughness in the form of attaching the small diameter most preferred roughness geometry is repeated rib
wires, machining ribs of different shapes, expanded type, which is described by the dimensionless para-
metal mesh ribs and forming dimples/protrusion meters viz. relative roughness height (e/D), relative
have been investigated for performance enhancement. roughness pitch, (P/e), angle of attack (α), channel
(4) Most of the theoretical, experimental and CFD inves- aspect ratio (W/H), etc.
tigations carried out to enhance heat transfer of solar (7) The most important effect produced by the presence
air heaters involve single surface enhancement tech- of a rib on the flow pattern is the generation of two
niques such as transverse, inclined, V-shape, W-shape flow separation regions, one on each side of the rib
ribs, etc. Though simultaneous use of two or more which results higher turbulence and hence the
enhancement techniques produces better results in enhancement in heat transfers as well as in the fric-
comparison to individual technique. tion losses takes place.
(5) Use of artificial roughness results in size reduction of (8) The Nusselt number tends to increase as the Reynolds
solar air heaters if heat exchange rate is kept constant number increases in all cases. The Nusselt number
or if size is kept constant it aids in increasing heat tends to decrease as the relative roughness pitch
extraction by air from the absorber plate, thereby, increases for a fixed value of relative roughness height
maximizing the heat transfer. and it tends to increase as the relative roughness
(6) There are several parameters that characterize the height increases for a fixed value of relative roughness
roughness elements, but for solar air heater the pitch.
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 169

(9) The friction factor tends to decrease as the Reynolds
number increases in all cases. The friction factor
tends to decrease as the relative roughness pitch
increases for a fixed value of relative roughness height
and it tends to increase as relative roughness height
increases for a given value of relative roughness pitch.
(10) Quite a lot of work has been reported on design of
solar air heater by experimental approach but only a
few studies has been done on theoretical and CFD
analysis of solar air heater. CFD simulation results
were found to be in good agreement with experimental
results and with the standard theoretical approaches.
(11) Conventional techniques used for the design and
development of an artificially roughened solar air hea-
ter are mostly tedious, expensive and time consuming.
CFD approach has emerged as a cost effective alter-
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a. Combination of transverse I-shaped and V-up wire rib
roughness
b. Combination of transverse I-shaped and V-down wire
rib roughness
c. Chamfered rib-semicircular grooved roughness
d. Circular rib-semicircular grooved roughness
e. Square rib-semicircular grooved roughness
f. Rectangular rib-semicircular grooved roughness
g. Triangular rib-semicircular grooved roughness
h. Discreet arc-shaped rib roughness
The information presented here will be beneficial for
beginners in this area of research to find out and optimize
the new roughness geometries for maximum enhancement of
heat transfer. Authors hope that this article has opened the
prospects of use of artificial roughness in the design of

native and it provides speedy solution to design and enhanced solar air heater to the researchers.
optimization of an artificially roughened solar air hea-
ter. The CFD approach has been used to solve a pro-
blem of fluid flow and heat transfer as it is powerful
tool for dealing with the wide range of parameters and
Nomenclature
complicated analysis which cannot be done through A area of cross-section, mm2
experimental investigations. In recent years CFD has AP surface area of absorber plate, mm2
been applied in the design of artificially roughened B air gap, mm
solar air heater. The solutions obtained from CFD Cp specific heat of air, J/kg K
simulations are largely within the acceptable range D equivalent or hydraulic diameter of duct, mm
proving that CFD is an effective tool for predicting d print diameter of dimple/protrusion or geometric para-
the behavior and performance of a solar air heater. meter of broken rib, mm
(12) The present comprehensive review of literature e rib height, mm
reveals that the following turbulence models are g groove position/ width of gap, mm
found suitable for the computational analysis of arti- Gt global solar irradiance
ficially roughened solar air heater: H depth of duct, mm
a. Standard k–ε model h heat transfer coefficient, W/m2 K
b. Renormalization-group (RNG) k–ε model I intensity of solar radiation, W/m2
c. Realizable k–ε model k thermal conductivity of air, W/mK
d. Standard k–ω and L length of text section of duct, mm
e. Shear stress transport (SST) k–ω model l longway length of mesh, mm
(13) Among all the models used, results predicted by L1 inlet length of duct, mm
renormalization-group (RNG) k–ε model were L2 test length of duct, mm
found to have good agreement. L3 outlet length of duct, mm
(14) The heat transfer and friction factor characteristics in m mass flow rate, kg/s
an artificially roughened solar air heater are studied P pitch, mm
recently using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Pm mechanical energy consumed for propelling air through
i.e. ANSYS-FLUENT software. CFD simulations collector, W
results are found to be in good agreement with Ql heat loss from collector, W
experimental results. Qt heat loss from top of collector, W
(15) Amongst the entire roughness geometries considered, qu useful heat flux, W/m2
arc-shaped rib geometry has the highest thermo- Qu useful heat gain, W
hydraulic performance parameter as compared to S length of discrete rib or shortway length of mesh, m
other roughness geometries, when they operate in Ta ambient temperature, K
the same conditions. Tam mean air temperature, K
Ti fluid inlet temperature, K
There is tremendous scope for future study of artificially To fluid outlet temperature, K
roughened solar air heater with different combination of Tpm mean plate temperature, K
roughness element with gap at different position and different UL overall heat loss coefficient, W/m2 K
angle of attack. Based on present critical review it has been v velocity of air in the duct, m/s
found that the research on the following geometries of the W width of duct, mm
artificial roughness is relatively limited and may attract more w width of rib, mm
interest in the future research: ΔP pressure drop, Pa
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GREEN ENERGY 171

Dimensionless parameters b bottom plate

c collector
Nu average Nusselt number
f fluid
St average Stanton number
i inlet
f̄ average friction factor l loss
B/S relative roughness length m motor
d/w relative gap position o outlet
e/D relative roughness height p pump
e/H rib to channel height ratio pm plate mean
e+ roughness Reynolds number r roughened
f fanning friction factor s smooth
Fr collector heat removal factor t top
fr fanning friction factor for rough surface th thermal
fs fanning friction factor of smooth surface tr transmission
g heat transfer function u useful
g/e relative gap width
g/P relative groove position
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Gd/Lv relative gap distance

L/D test length to hydraulic diameter ratio of duct
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