Pulsating Flow Dynamics and Heat Transfer Enhancement

Pulsating flow refers to fluid motion driven by periodic variations in pressure or velocity, inducing unsteady inertia that interacts with viscous forces. This oscillatory regime perturbs the hydrodynamic and thermal boundary layers, promoting enhanced mixing and thinning of thermal gradients at solid–fluid interfaces. The extent of heat transfer augmentation depends on parameters such as pulsation frequency, amplitude and flow geometry, all encapsulated in dimensionless groups like the Womersley and Reynolds numbers. Advances in both numerical simulation and high‐resolution experimental diagnostics have clarified how low‐frequency pulsations often yield greater enhancement at modest flow rates, while amplitude modulation can exert a more pronounced effect than frequency alone. Such insights underpin practical applications ranging from compact heat exchangers and microchannel coolers to biomedical devices, where controlled unsteadiness leads to higher heat transfer coefficients, reduced thermal resistance and improved energy efficiency.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have provided exact and numerical solutions for pulsatile convection in complex fluids and biomedical conduits. One investigation derived analytical expressions for natural convection of a non‐Newtonian second‐grade fluid oscillating in a vertical cylinder, showing how Grashof and Prandtl numbers govern transient and steady‐state heat and momentum transport. The work demonstrates that oscillatory forcing can elevate velocity and thermal fields above steady‐state Newtonian benchmarks. In a biomedical context, finite‐element simulations examined heat flux sensors mounted on a pulsatile‐flow vascular graft, revealing that local heat transfer coefficients vary significantly along the graft length and depend on pulsation parameters, graft material and wall thickness. These findings support early infection detection by comparing simulated heat flux signatures with sensor resolution thresholds.

Pulsating Flow Dynamics and Heat Transfer Enhancement publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in pulsating flow dynamics and heat transfer enhancement across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Pulsating flow: Fluid movement characterised by periodic variations in pressure or velocity that induce time‐dependent inertial forces.

Womersley number: Dimensionless ratio of oscillatory inertial forces to viscous forces, defined by channel dimensions, pulsation frequency and kinematic viscosity.

Reynolds number: Dimensionless ratio of inertial to viscous forces, indicating whether flow is laminar or turbulent and influencing convective transport.

Field synergy theory: Analytical framework that correlates the alignment of velocity and temperature gradients to predict and enhance convective heat transfer.

Conjugate heat transfer: Coupled analysis of heat conduction in solids and convection in adjacent fluids, accounting for interface heat flux continuity.

References

1. Numerical simulation of JAG-type corrugated plate structure optimization and enhanced heat transfer by pulsating flow. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering (2024).
2. Natural convection flow of a second grade fluid in an infinite vertical cylinder. Scientific Reports (2020).
3. Experimental Study and Conjugate Heat Transfer Simulation of Pulsating Flow in Straight and 90° Curved Square Pipes. Energies (2021).
4. Finite element-based feasibility study on utilizing heat flux sensors for early detection of vascular graft infections. Scientific Reports (2023).