Int. J. Mech. Eng. & Rob. Res.

2015 Mukesh P Mangtani and K M Watt, 2015

ISSN 2278 – 0149 www.ijmerr.com

Vol. 4, No. 2, April 2015
© 2015 IJMERR. All Rights Reserved

Review Article

EFFECT OF TWISTED-TAPE INSERTS ON HEAT

TRANSFER IN A TUBE—A REVIEW

Mukesh P Mangtani1* and K M Watt2

*Corresponding Author: Mukesh P Mangtani,  [email protected]

The development of high-performance thermal systems has increased interest in heat transfer
enhancement techniques. Heat transfer augmentation techniques refer to different method used
to increase rate of heat transfer without affecting much the overall performance of the system.
Heat exchangers are widely used in industry both for cooling and heating. Creation of turbulence
with the help of twisted tape in the flow passage is one of the favorable passive heat transfer
augmentation techniques due to their advantages of easy fabrication, operation as well as low
maintenance. The purpose of this review presents the effect of twisted tape inserts on the heat
transfer enhancement, pressure drop, flow friction and thermal performance factor characteristics
in a heat exchanger tube.

Keywords: Heat transfer, Twisted tape inserts, Flow friction, Turbulance, Swirl flow motion

INTRODUCTION treated surfaces, rough surfaces, swirling flow

Heat transfer enhancement or augmentation devices, coiled tubes, and surface tension
techniques refer to the improvement of thermo devices. Furthermore, as a heat exchanger
hydraulic performance of heat exchangers. becomes older, the resistance to heat transfer
Among many techniques (both passive and increases owing to fouling or scaling. These
active) investigated for augmentation of heat problems are more common for heat
transfer rates inside circular tubes, a wide exchangers used in marine applications and
range of inserts have been utilized, particularly in chemical industries. In some specific
when turbulent flow is considered. A lot of applications, such as heat exchangers dealing
methods are applied to increase thermal with fluids of low thermal conductivity (gases
performance of heat transfer devices such as and oils) and desalination plants, there is a
1
Student, M.E. Thermal Engineering, Prof. Ram Meghe Institute of Technology & Research Badnera-Amravati, Sant Gadge Baba
Amravati University, Badnera, Amravati 444 701, Maharashtra, India.
2
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Prof. Ram Meghe Institute of Technology & Research Badnera-Amravati, Sant
Gadge Baba Amravati University, Badnera, Amravati 444 701, Maharashtra, India.

97
Int. J. Mech. Eng. & Rob. Res. 2015 Mukesh P Mangtani and K M Watt, 2015

need to increase the heat transfer rate. The They promote higher heat transfer coefficients
heat transfer rate can be improved by by disturbing or altering the existing flow
introducing a disturbance in the fluid flow behavior (except for extended surfaces) which
(breaking the viscous and thermal boundary also leads to increase in the pressure drop. In
layers), but in the process pumping power may case of extended surfaces, effective heat
increase significantly and ultimately the transfer area on the side of the extended
pumping cost becomes high. Therefore, to surface is increased. Passive techniques hold
achieve a desired heat transfer rate in an the advantage over the active techniques as
existing heat exchanger at an economic they do not require any direct input of external
pumping power, several techniques have been power. The passive methods are based on the
proposed in recent years and are discussed same principle. Use of this technique causes
in the following sections. the swirl in the bulk of the fluids and disturbs
the actual boundary layer so as to increase
Types of Heat Transfer effective surface area, residence time and
Augmentation Techniques consequently heat transfer coefficient in
Active Techniques: These techniques are existing system. Following Methods are
more complex from the use and design point generally used,
of view as the method requires some external
1. Treated Surfaces
power input to cause the desired flow
modification and improvement in the rate of 2. Rough surfaces
heat transfer. It finds limited application 3. Extended surfaces
because of the need of external power in many
4. Swirl flow devices
practical applications. In comparison to the
passive techniques, these techniques have not 5. Coiled tubes
shown much potential as it is difficult to provide
external power input in many cases. Various Figure 1: Double Pipe Heat Exchanger

active techniques are as follows:

1. Mechanical Aids
2. Surface vibration
3. Fluid vibration
4. Electrostatic fields
5. Injection
6. Suction
Passive Techniques: These techniques
generally use surface or geometrical
modifications to the flow channel by
Note: Inside hot water and outside cold water.
incorporating inserts or additional devices.

98
Int. J. Mech. Eng. & Rob. Res. 2015 Mukesh P Mangtani and K M Watt, 2015

Compound Techniques: When any two or Plain Twisted Tape

more techniques employed simultaneously or The heat transfer coefficient and flow friction
compoundly to obtain enhancement in heat characteristics in a concentric double pipe heat
transfer is termed as compound enhancement exchanger can be studied by introducing the
technique. The rate of heat transfer in case of swirling floe with the help of twisted tape placed
compound technique is greater than that inside the inner test tube of the heat exchanger
produced by either of them when used with different twist ratios, y = 5.0 and 7.0. It is
individually. The Compound techniques are found that the increase in heat transfer rate of
1. Extended surfaces that are treated, the twisted-tape inserts is found to be strongly
influenced by tape-induced swirl or vortex
2. Rough surfaces with additives.
motion. Over the range investigated, the
TERMINOLOGIES maximum Nusselt numbers for using the
enhancement devices with y = 5.0 and 7.0 are
Thermo Hydraulic Performance: For a
188% and 159%, respectively, higher than that
particular Reynolds number, the thermo
for the plain tube. The enhancement efficiency
hydraulic performance of an insert is said to
and Nusselt number increases with decreasing
be good if the heat transfer coefficient
the twist ratio and friction factor also increases
increases significantly with a minimum
with decreasing the twist ratio. The partitioning
increase in friction factor Thermo hydraulic
and blockage of the tube flow cross-section
performance estimation is generally used to
by the tape, resulting in higher flow velocities.
compare the performance of different inserts
Secondary fluid motion is generated by the
under a particular fluid flow condition.
tape twist, and the resulting twist mixing
Nusselt Number: The Nusselt number is a improves the convection heat transfer
measure of the convective heat transfer (Watcharin Noothong et al., 2006). Similarly,
occurring at the surface and is defined as hd/ In order to reduce excessive pressure drops
k, where h is the convective heat transfer associated with full width twisted tape inserts,
coefficient, d is the diameter of the tube and k with less corresponding reduction in heat
is the thermal conductivity. transfer coefficients, reduced width twisted
Prandtl Number: The Prandtl number is tapes of widths ranging from 10 mm to 22 mm,
defined as the ratio of the molecular diffusivity which are lower than the tube inside diameter
of momentum to the molecular diffusivity of of 27.5 mm can be used. The twisted tape with
heat. three different twist ratios (3, 4 and 5) each
with five different widths (26-full width, 22, 18,
Pitch: The Pitch is defined as the distance
14 and 10 mm) respectively. With this varying
between two points that are on the same plane,
width twisted tape the reynolds number varied
measured parallel to the axis Twisted Tape.
from 6000 to 13500 and the enhancement of
Twist Ratio: The twist ratio is defined as the heat transfer with twisted tape inserts as
ratio of pitch length to inside diameter of the compared to plain tube varied from 36 to 48%
tube. for full width (26 mm) and 33 to 39% for

99
Int. J. Mech. Eng. & Rob. Res. 2015 Mukesh P Mangtani and K M Watt, 2015

reduced width (22 mm) inserts (Naga Sarada influenced by tape-induced swirl or vortex
et al., 2010). motion. The heat transfer coefficient is found
Investigation of the swirl flow behavior and to increase by 40% with half-length twisted tape
the laminar convective heat transfer in a inserts when compared with plain heat
circular tube with twisted-tape inserts for the exchanger. On the basis of equal mass flow
stainless steel strip of length 125 cm, width 16 rate, the heat transfer performance of half-
mm and thickness 1.80 mm can be used. Also length twisted tape is better than plain heat
by drilling the holes at both ends of every tape exchanger, and on the basis of unit pressure
so that the two ends could be fixed to the drop the heat transfer performance of smooth
metallic clamps. During the whole operation tube is better than half-length twisted tape (Anil
the tape was kept under tension by applying a Singh Yadav, 2009). Similarly the valve of heat
mild pressure on the tool post side to avoid its transfer and friction factor of double pipe heat
distortion. Three tapes with varying twist ratios exchanger can be improved with help of
were fabricated (yw = 5.25, yw = 4.39, yw = Reduced Width Twisted Tape (RWTT), Baffled
3.69). It was observed that heat transfer Reduced Width Twisted Tape (BRWTT1) and
coefficients and friction factor increases with Baffled Reduced Width Twisted Tape with
decreasing twist ratio (Rahul Kumar and holes (BRWTT2) with three tapes of different
Srinivas, 2013). The effect of different twisted twist ratio (yw = 3.69, yw = 4.39, yw = 5.25).
ratio inserts on double pipe heat exchanger Based on constant flow rate, the heat transfer
with and without twisted tape insert with oil and coefficient were found to be 1.18-3.66, 2.61-
water as working medium had been carried 7.07 and 3.58-8.08 times the smooth tube
out with two different twist ratio of 3.5 and 7. values for RWTT, BRWTT1 and BRWTT2
The twisted tape of lower twist ratio (y = 3.5) respectively. Baffled Reduced width twisted
tape and Baffled Reduced width twisted tape
gives higher heat transfer coefficient (by 1.39
with holes performs much better than the
times) than higher twist ratio (y = 7). When only
Reduced Width Twisted Tapes (RWTT) of the
heat transfer capacity of heat exchanger is
same twist ratio [6]. Experimental investigation
criteria regardless of pressure drop or
of heat transfer and friction factor
pumping power the twisted tape is more
characteristic of double pipe heat exchanger
superior as compared with smooth tube (1.6
fitted with twisted wire mesh for twist ratio 7.0
to 1.8 times) (Pardhi and Prasant Baredar,
and 5.0 carried out for turbulent flow. Heat
2012).
transfer coefficient and friction factor increases
Modified Twisted Tape with the decrease in twist ratio compared with
The heat transfer enhancement can be plane tube. Twisted wire mesh for twist ratio
achieved by using different twist geometries 7.0 and 5.0 augment the heat transfer rate 2.09
and with different twist ratios. The swirling flow and 1.69 times compared with the plane tube.
can be introduced also using half-length The performance ratio for twisted wire mesh
twisted tape placed inside the inner test tube is greater than one therefore enhancement is
of the heat exchanger. Heat transfer rate of the competent in the point of energy saving. It was
twisted-tape inserts is found to be strongly found that the twisted wire mesh proves to be

100
Int. J. Mech. Eng. & Rob. Res. 2015 Mukesh P Mangtani and K M Watt, 2015

a better insert than conventional twisted tape 4.2 times when x = 100 and 4.4 times when x
(Veeresh Fuskele and Sarviya, 2012). = 150 mm as compared to smooth tube
(Chowdhuri et al., 2011).
Investigation carried out to find the overall
performance of suitably designed. The full Flow characteristics induced by twisted
length, tape with hole, tape with baffles in a tape consisting of alternate-axis (TA) has been
concentric tube heat exchanger with twist ratio comparatively investigated to that induced by
of each 6. The full length twisted tape typical Twisted Tape (TT). The effects of twist
increases heat transfer by a percentage of ratios (y/W = 3, 4, 5) on heat transfer and fluid
8.9%. The heat transfer coefficient of twisted friction were also extensively examined. It is
tape with holes and baffles were less as concluded that TA give better fluid mixing and
compared to full twisted tape (Maughal Ahmed thus higher heat transfer rate than TT which
Ali Baig et al., 2013). The plain tube with/ leads to higher heat transfer rate and also
without wavy twisted tape with wave-width of friction factor at similar conditions. In addition,
13, 16 and 24 mm of same pitch insert at swirl number and thus residence time of a fluid
constant wall heat flux and different mass flow flow is promoted as tape twist ratio decreases,
rates. Highest Nusselt number was obtained this result is consistent with the superior heat
for tape with wave-width 13 mm. the transfer at smaller twist ratio. At the same axial
percentage rise in Nusselt numbers for wavy distance, the tape with smaller twist ratio
twisted tapes compared to plain tube are provides more swirl number and thus longer
about 32-98%, 31-89% and 26-87% for tape residence time which help to prolong heat
with wave-widths of 13, 16 and 24 mm transfer between tube wall and fluid (Panida
respectively for twist ratio = 9.375. This is due Seemawute and Smith Eiamsa-Ard, 2012).
to strong turbulence intensity generated by Heat transfer and friction factor
corrugations on inserts leading to rapid mixing characteristics were studied for water flowing
of the flow causing heat transfer enhancement. through the tube in tube heat exchanger. There
It is observed that the reduction in wave-width were two different configurations, namely
causes increment in Nusselt numbers as well twisted tape with pins and Twisted Tape with
as rise in pressure drop (Dhamane et al., Pins Bonded (TTPB) to the inner surface of
2014). The heat trsnsfer rate can be the test section with (y/w = 3.33, 4.29). The
augmented with the help of rod-pin inserted at effect of twisted tape with pins on the heat
different distance of 50 mm, 100 mm, 150 mm transfer for a fully developed turbulent flow by
along the length of tube. Comparing the results maintaining constant wall temperature, shows
obtained from these two different sets of that friction factor for the tube fitted with twisted
experiments, it is found that heat transfer tape pin bonded inserts gives a higher reynolds
through tube can be enhanced by using inserts number when compared with plain tube. It
inside the tube up to 9.8 times than tube without indicates that friction factor for a given
insert. It was also concluded that the heat Reynolds number increases with the
transfer coefficients increases up to 4.1 times decreasing y/w ratio due to swirl flow
when x = 50 mm (distance between inserts), generated by TTPB and reaches the maximum

101
Int. J. Mech. Eng. & Rob. Res. 2015 Mukesh P Mangtani and K M Watt, 2015

for y/w = 3.33. It was observed that the friction than those in the tube with TT and the plain
factor for y/w = 4.29 are less when compared tube. The thermal performance of the tube with
with y/w = 3.33 (Swaminathan Selvam et al., modified twisted tapes with different wing-
2014). shape arrangements is superior to that of the
tube with TTs. In addition, the tapes with
With copper square jagged Twisted tape
opposite wing arrangement of O-Tra, O-Rec
twisted tape inserts 3 mm with 5.2, 4.2 and
and O-Tri give superior thermal performances
3.2 twists ratio respectively. The inserts when
to those with parallel wing arrangement of P-
placed in the path of the flow of the fluid, create
Tra, P-Rec and P-Tri around 2.7%, 3.5% and
a high degree of turbulence resulting in an
3.2%, respectively (Eiamsa-ard et al., 2014).
increase in the heat transfer rate and the
By using nanofluid as working medium with
pressure drop. The results of varying twists in
twisted-tape in a double pipe heat exchanger,
square jagged tape with different pitches have
the heat transfer rate can be enhanced.
been compared with the values for the smooth
Comparison were made between Water in
tube. The 3 mm thick with 3.2 twists copper
plain tube, Nanofluid in a plane tube and
insert shows increase in Nusselt number
nanofluid with twisted tape insert in a tube.
values by 76% however there is increase in
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles with a diameter
friction factor by only 19.5% as compared to
of 30 nm and a volume concentration of 0.01%
the smooth tube values (Gawandare et al.,
(v/v) were used with twist ratio of y = 3.5. By
2014).
using twisted tape and nanofluid, heat transfer
Similarly by providing opposite and parallel coefficient was about 10% to 25% higher than
wings to the at different wing shapes triangle water used with plane tube. It was concluded
(Tri), rectangular (Rec) and trapezoidal (Tra) that 0.01% TiO2/water nanofluid with twisted
wings and on the thermo hydraulic tape has slightly higher friction factor and
performance characteristics can be improved. pressure drop when compared to 0.01% TiO2/
By maintaining a constant wall heat flux water nanofluid without twisted tape (Heydar
condition by wrapping nichrome wire around Maddah et al., 2014).
the test section while the Reynolds numbers
were varied between 5200 and 20,000 for all CONCLUSION
tape inserts. The modified twisted tape with This review has considered heat transfer and
three different wing chord ratios (D/W) of 0.1, pressure drop investigations of the various
0.2 and 0.3 at constant twist ratio (y/W) of 4.0. types of twisted tape placed in heat
The thermal performances of the tubes exchangers. By insertion of twisted tape the
containing the twisted tapes with alternate- variation of Nusselt number with Reynold’s
axes and wings (as modified twisted tapes) number in the tube. The values of nusselt
are compared with those of the tube with the number, Reynolds number, prandtl number,
typical twisted tape (TT) and also the plain pressure drop and friction factor are depends
tube. At similar conditions, the heat transfer on the geometrics of the twisted tape with
rate and pressure drop in the tubes with the different twist ratio, pitch ratio, tape width,
modified twisted tapes are consistently higher space ratio, phase angle, wire diameter, etc.

102
Int. J. Mech. Eng. & Rob. Res. 2015 Mukesh P Mangtani and K M Watt, 2015

Heat transfer rate with typical twisted tape is 5. Gaurav Johar Virendra Hasda (2010),
higher than that of plain tube also this device “Experimental Studies on Heat Transfer
that turns laminar flow into turbulant flow. The Augmenatation Using Modified Reduced
conclusions are very useful for the application Width Twisted Tapes (RWTT) as Inserts
of heat transfer enhancement in heat for Tube Side Flow of Liquids”,
exchanger networks. Department of Chemical Engineering
National Institute of Technology, Rourkela.
REFERENCES 6. Gawandare A V, Dange M M and
1. Anil Singh Yadav (2009), “Effect of Half Nalawade D B (2014), “Heat Transfers
Length Twisted-Tape Turbulators on Heat Enhancement with Different Square
Transfer and Pressure Drop Jagged Twisted Tapes Twisted Tapes”,
Characteristics Inside a Double Pipe U- Int. Journal of Engineering Research
Bend Heat Exchanger”, Jordan Journal and Applications, ISSN: 2248-9622.
of Mechanical and Industrial 7. Heydar Maddah, Reza Aghayari,
Engineering. Morshed Farokhi, Shabnam Jahanizadeh
2. Chowdhuri M A K, Hossain R A and Sarkar and Khatere Ashtary (2014), “Effect of
M A R (2011), “An Experimental Twisted-Tape Turbulators and Nanofluid
on Heat Transfer in a Double Pipe Heat
Investigation of Turbulent Flow Heat
Exchanger”, Hindawi Publishing
Transfer Through Tube with Rod-Pin
Corporation Journal of Engineering,
Insert”, International Journal of
Article ID 920970.
Engineering, Science and Technology,
Vol. 3, No. 4. 8. Maughal Ahmed Ali Baig, Ibrahim Nouzil,
Azzam Sheik, Ferraz Mohammed and
3. Dhamane N B, Nalawade D B and Dange Thameez (2013), “Heat Transfer
M M (2014), “Performance Analysis of Augmentation in Concentric Tube Heat
Wavy Twisted Tape Insert for Heat Exchanger Using Twisted Tapes”,
Transfer in A Circular Tube”, International International Journal of Engineering
Journal for Technological Research in Research and Applications, ISSN: 2248-
Engineering, Vol. 1, No. 6, ISSN: 2347- 9622.
4718.
9. Naga Sarada S, Sita Rama Raju A V,
4. Eiamsa-Ard S, Pimsarn M and Thianpong Kalyani Radha K and Shyam Sunder L
C (2014), “Performance Assessment in (2010), “Enhancement of Heat Transfer
a Heat Exchanger Tube with Opposite/ Using Varying Width Twisted Tape
Parallel W ing Twisted-Tapes”, Inserts”, International Journal of
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, Science and Technology,
Faculty of Engineering Mahanakorn Vol. 2, No. 6, pp. 107-118.
University of Technology, Bangkok 10530, 10. Panida Seemawute and Smith Eiamsa-
Thailand. Ard (2012), “Visualization of Flow and

103
Int. J. Mech. Eng. & Rob. Res. 2015 Mukesh P Mangtani and K M Watt, 2015

Heat Transfer in Tube with Twisted Tape “Experimental Studies on Effect of

Consisting of Alternate Axis”, 4 th Bonding the Twisted Tape Eith Pins to the
International Conference on Computer Inner Surface of the Circular Tube”,
Modeling and Simulation (ICCMS). Department of Mechanical Engineering,
11. Pardhi C K and Prasant Baredar (2012), Nehru Institute of Technology, Coimbatore,
“Performance Improvement of Double Tamil Nadu, India.
Pipe Heat Exchanger by Using 14. Veeresh Fuskele and Sarviya (2012),
Turbulator”, International Journal of “Experimental Investigation of Heat
Engineering Science & Advanced Transfer Enhancement Double Pipe Heat
Technology. Exchanger Using Twisted Tape with Wire
12. Rahul Kumar A and Srinivas P N S (2013), Mesh Screen”, International Journal of
“Experimental Analysis of Heat Transfer Advanced Engineering Research and
Augmentation by Using Twisted Tapes of Studies, pp. 5-9.
Different Twist Ratio as Flow Arrangement 15. Watcharin Noothong, Smith Eiamsa-Ard
Inside the Tubes”, International Journal and Pongjet Promvonge (2006), “Effect
of Modern Engineering Research
of Twisted-Tape Inserts on Heat Transfer
(IJMER), Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 1317-1323.
in a Tube”, The 2nd Joint International
13. Swaminathan Selvam, Periyakaruppan Conference on Sustainable Energy and
Thiyagarajan and Sivan Suresh (2014), Environment (SEE).

104