Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Ruck (sebastian.ruck@kit.edu)

Institute of Neutron Physics and Reactor Technology (INR)
Group: Thermal and Fluid-Dynamic System Design

Surface structures used in pipes and channels to enhance heat transfer induce secondary flows that contribute significantly to advective and turbulent fluid mixing and substantially enhance convective heat transfer. The formation of these secondary flows is determined not only by the geometry of the surface structures, but also by the shape of the channel cross-sectional area. As part of the master thesis, the thermal turbulent flow in channels with generic k-type roughness and different channel cross-sectional shapes (round, hexagonal, square, triangular) will be investigated in more detail using large eddy simulations. Among other things, results will be discussed in the context of existing roughness functions, analytical correlation equations for determining the pressure loss and heat transfer coefficient and common scale relations.

The following tasks are planned as part of the master thesis:

• Familiarization with the topic: numerical fluid mechanics, turbulent flows, large eddy simulation
• Mesh generation, perform and supervise CFD simulations
• Analyzing, evaluation and discussion of the results in the context of the state of the art
• Written elaboration of the master thesis
• Presentation of results in a scientific colloquium at INR, KIT

Duration: 6 Month

Starting Date:  immediately

Institute of Neutron Physics and Reactor Technology (INR)
Group: Thermal and Fluid-Dynamic System Design

Contact and Supervisor: Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Ruck (sebastian.ruck@kit.edu)