Numerical analysis for heat transfer characteristics of elliptic fin-tube heat exchanger with various shapes

Abstract

In this study, the characteristics of the heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop were numerically analyzed according to the axis ratio (AR), pitch, location of vortex generator, and bump phase of the tube surface about an elliptical fin-tube heat exchanger. The boundary condition for CFD analysis was decided as a tube surface temperature of 348 K and inlet air velocity of 1-5 m/s. RSM 7th turbulent model was chosen as the numerical analysis for the sensitivity level. The analysis results indicated that the AR and transverse pitch decreased whereas the heat transfer coefficient increased. On the other hand, there was little difference in the longitudinal pitch. Furthermore, the heat transfer rate was more favorable when the vortex generator was located in front of the tube. Also, the bump phase of the tube surface indicated that the pressure drop and heat transfer were more favorable with the circle type than with the serrated type. © 2013 The Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers.