Review of data and correlations for turbulent forced convective heat transfer of liquid metals in pipes

Within the present work the dataset of experimental points and the heat transfer correlations available in literature for liquid-metal fully-developed, forced-convective heat transfer in pipes are reviewed and critically analyzed. Over 1,100 data points from 21 different sources are considered for constant heat flux, covering a wide range of operating conditions (velocity, heat flux, diameter, among others). Among 15 evaluated correlations, four appropriate ones are recommended for forced turbulent convection: one covering all the data points and the other three respectively related to alkali liquid metals, lead alloys and mercury. Moreover, a new correlation has been derived as a best fit of the limited number of available data points for constant wall temperature, while an alternative evaluation method is also described for this boundary condition.