Experimental and numerical investigation of anti-fouling effect performance for optimized perforated vortex generators in pulsating channel

Fouling is a prevalent issue in heat exchangers, significantly impairing their thermal performance. To address particle fouling in heat exchanger channels, this study selected a rectangular channel with dimensions: length 1000 mm, width 40 mm, and height 20 mm. The anti-fouling performance of various perforated vortex generator structures in pulsating channel at Re 6334 is optimized through experimental and simulation studies. We experimentally characterize particulate fouling and flow resistance in pulsating channel, a pulsating rectangular wing channel, and a pulsating perforated rectangular wing channel, and validate the numerical model. Additionally, numerical simulations analyze how different perforation sizes and perforation positions (longitudinal and transverse) affect flow resistance and particulate fouling. The results indicate that, compared with the pulsating channel and the pulsating non-perforated rectangular wing channel, the pulsating perforated wing channel achieves superior anti-fouling effect with lower flow loss. For perforation sizes variations, the optimal condition occurs at r/a is 0.6, where flow loss is minimized and the anti-fouling effect reaches 42.2%. At longitudinal position h/b is 0.2, flow loss remains low and the anti-fouling effect peaks at 44.1%. At lateral position d/a is 0.3, flow loss is low and the anti-fouling effect reaches 44.6%. Moreover, within the scope of this study, longitudinal perforation position exerts a greater influence on anti-fouling effect than lateral positioning.