Computation of velocity profiles and pressure coefficients for a laminar flow of air over staggered array of tubes

In this study a two dimensional, steady state and incompressible laminar flow for staggered tube arrays in crossflow is investigated numerically. A finite-volume method is used to discretize and solve the governing Navier-Stokes equations for the geometries expressed by a boundary-fitted coordinate system. Solutions for Reynolds numbers of 100, 300, and 500 are obtained for a tube bundle with 10 longitudinal rows. Local velocity profiles on top of each tube and corresponding pressure coefficient are presented at nominal pitch-to-diameter ratios of 1.33, 1.60, and 2.00 for ES, ET, and RS arrangements. Differences in location of separation points are compared for three different arrangements. The predicted results on flow field for pressure coefficient showed a good agreement with available experimental measurements.