Overview
The Flow through Helical Coil apparatus investigates the flow resistance and heat transfer enhancement in helical coil tubes compared to straight tubes. The centrifugal force (Dean effect) induced by the coil geometry causes secondary flow (Dean vortices) that increases both friction factor and heat transfer coefficient above straight-tube values at the same flow rate. Students measure pressure drop as a function of flow rate for coils of different diameters and pitch, determine friction factors, and compare with Dean number-based correlations. The apparatus provides insight into the design of compact coil-type heat exchangers, medical tubing, and process piping where coiling is used to save space.
Specifications
| Coil material | copper / stainless steel |
| Coil inner diameter | 10 to 20 mm |
| Coil diameter | 100 to 300 mm |
| Number of turns | 5 to 15 |
| Fluid | water |
| Flow rate | 1 to 50 LPM |
| Pressure measurement | differential manometer / pressure transducer |
| Power supply | 220V AC, 50 Hz |