Numerical simulation of airflow within a duct with sickle‐shaped barriers in tube heat exchangers

Abstract This study introduces a novel thermal enhancement strategy for solar air channels through the integration of sickle‐shaped baffles, a geometry not previously explored in this context. These uniquely curved baffles are designed to optimize heat transfer by enhancing flow disruption and promoting forced convection. Unlike traditional rectangular or triangular obstacles, the sickle‐shaped design aims to strike a balance between thermal performance and pressure loss. To analyze the flow and heat transfer behaviour, the Navier–Stokes equations coupled with the k‐ε turbulence model are solved using the finite volume method in ANSYS‐FLUENT 2023 R1. The numerical results demonstrate that increasing the baffle height significantly enhances heat transfer. At a Reynolds number of 10,000, raising the baffle height from 40 to 80 mm resulted in a 41.65% increase in Nusselt number compared to a smooth channel. At Re = 87,300, enhancements reached 49.34% and 134%, respectively. The maximum thermo‐hydraulic performance factor of 1.74 was achieved for σ1 at Re = 10,000, highlighting the efficiency of the design. This work differs from previous studies by focusing on the impact of curved baffle geometry on both thermal and hydrodynamic characteristics. While the baffles effectively enhanced heat transfer, they also introduced a moderate pressure drop, a common trade‐off in passive enhancement techniques. Furthermore, the turbulence analysis revealed a substantial rise in turbulent kinetic energy with increasing Reynolds number, confirming the robustness of the proposed configuration.