Title: Numerical study on performance and fin efficiency of wavy fin-and-tube heat exchangers

Authors: Yubing Tao, Yaling He, Zhiguo Qu, Wenquan Tao

Addresses: Key Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China. ' Key Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China. ' Key Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China. ' Key Laboratory of Thermo-Fluid Science and Engineering, Ministry of Education School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710049, China

Abstract: Three-dimensional numerical studies were performed for the performance of wavy fin-and-tube heat exchangers in Body-Fitted Coordinates (BFC) system. Effects of geometric parameters on air-side heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics and fin efficiency were examined. The results showed that with the increase in Reynolds number, wavy angle, fin thickness and the decrease in fin pitch and transverse tube pitch, the heat transfer performance are enhanced; however, pressure drops are also increased. So, in practical applications, the wavy angle had better be located between 10° and 20° and the fin pitch should be located between 1.2 mm and 2.0 mm. The fin efficiency and average fin surface temperature decrease with the increase of Reynolds number, wavy angle, fin pitch and transverse tube pitch. With the increase of fin thickness, the fin efficiency and average temperature on fin surface also increase.

Keywords: wavy fins; geometric parameters; heat transfer; fluid flow; fin efficiency; fin-and-tube heat exchangers; body-fitted coordinates; surface temperature; Reynolds number; wavy angle; fin thickness; fin pitch; transverse tube pitch; pressure drops.

DOI: 10.1504/PCFD.2011.041025

Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, An International Journal, 2011 Vol.11 No.3/4, pp.246 - 254

Published online: 28 Jun 2011 *

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