Modeling of Rotating Frame Within a Cylindrical Vessel Containing Isothermal Cylinders Equipped With Flexible Radial Baffles

Abstract This study investigates the heat exchange within hot and cold cylinders in a cylindrical vessel featuring a rotating frame equipped with flexible baffles. The research examines the impact of cylinder size, proximity to the center, Rayleigh number, and rotational speed (ω*). Flexible baffles are installed along the vessel walls to enhance mixing. The study employs the FE Method of rotating meshes to discretize and solve time-dependent equations. Findings reveal that using flexible baffles at a rotational speed of ω* = 50 leads to a 5.64% increase in the Nusselt number and a 56.9% decrease in the skin friction. Additionally, the research indicates thatleadncrease in both the rotational speed and the Rayleigh number leads to a corresponding increase in the Nusselt number. Specifically, the Nusselt number surges by 82.9% and 10.2% for Ra = 105 and 103, respectively, when ω* is raised from the rest to 200. Moreover, with a reduction in cylinder size to 0.01 radius, the Nu number boosts by 375.5% for Ra = 105 and 203.3% for Ra = 103, respectively. Moreover, the performance coefficient for flexible baffles, compared to rigid baffles, peaked at 92.48% at a rotation speed of 100 and Ra = 105.