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Abstract
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Enhancing heat transfer in confined geometries plays an essential role in the design of compact and high-efficiency thermal systems. Among these, wavy-wall rectangular channels attracted particular interest due to their extended surface area and improved mixing characteristics. Despite their advantages, such geometries still face challenges in achieving optimal thermal performance while minimizing pressure losses. To address these challenges, various passive and active flow control methods have been explored, with vortex generators (VGs) showing significant potential in promoting convective heat transfer. In particular, active vortex generators placed near the wall can manipulate the boundary layer and induce strong vortex structures that enhance mixing and thermal transport. This study introduces a novel design involving Near-Wall Active Vortex Generators (NWAVG) embedded in a wavy-wall rectangular channel. The goal is to investigate how different movement patterns of NWAVGs affect heat transfer enhancement and frictional loss. Two distinct actuation patterns are considered under a constant Reynolds number of 790, based on the hydraulic diameter of the channel. Results indicate that NWAVGs can enhance the local Nusselt number by up to 190 % compared to an empty wavy channel, while the optimized configuration achieves a maximum hydrothermal efficiency of 1.24.
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