The effect of flow pulsation on the heating performance of panel radiators in central heating systems: CFD analysis

M. Embaye*, R. K. Al-Dadah, S. Mahmoud

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This research investigates the effect of pulsed flow input on the energy consumption of panel radiators in hydronic central heating systems. CFD modelling of a panel radiator was developed using the conjugate heat transfer module in COMSOL Multiphysics software. The radiator used was of single finned radiator (type 11) with the dimensions of 500mm long and 300mm high. The CFD results performed in this paper were compared to published experimental work found in literature showing good agreement with maximum deviation of 2.14% in the heat output. A wide range of input pulsating flows were investigated in terms of velocity amplitude (from 0.035 m/s to 0.05 m/s) and frequency (from 0.052rad/s to 0.209rad/s) while the flow input temperature remains constant. The simulation results showed that compared to constant flow operating condition, the use of pulsed flow can reduce the energy consumption of panel radiators by up to 20% while maintaining the same radiator surface temperature. Such results highlight the potential of using pulsed flow to reduce the energy consumption of central heating systems in buildings.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationWIT Transactions on Engineering Sciences
EditorsCarlos A. Brebbia, B. Sunden
PublisherWIT Press
Pages27-38
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9781845647940
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jul 2014
Event13th International Conference on Simulation and Experiments in Heat and Mass Transfer, HT 2014 - A Coruna, Spain
Duration: 2 Jul 20144 Jul 2014

Publication series

NameWIT Transactions on Engineering Sciences
Volume83
ISSN (Print)1743-3533

Conference

Conference13th International Conference on Simulation and Experiments in Heat and Mass Transfer, HT 2014
Country/TerritorySpain
CityA Coruna
Period2/07/144/07/14

Keywords

  • CFD models
  • COMSOL multiphysics
  • Constant flow
  • Energy saving
  • Flow pulsation
  • Temperature and heat output

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computational Mechanics
  • Materials Science(all)
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes
  • Electrochemistry

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